WKU News

Nineteen seniors from the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized as finalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Competition. “I applaud these students for their academic accomplishments during these unprecedented times. Despite the pandemic and shift to online instruction, these students continued to perform at a remarkably high level and that has been recognized by their being named National Merit Finalists,” said Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy. “Their perseverance and persistence will serve them well as they continue to pursue their infinite possibilities.”

The 2021-2022 National Merit Finalists from The Gatton Academy are:

• Sahil Chhabra (Bowling Green High School) of Bowling Green
• Connor Flick (Conner High School) of Hebron
• Harrison Gover (Bowling Green High School) of Bowling Green
• Thomas Kolb (Atherton High School) of Louisville
• Sahil Krishnani (duPont Manual High School) of Louisville
• Maya Lebedinsky (Bowling Green High School) of Bowling Green
• Avery Lenihan (Randall K. Cooper High School) of Union
• Allen Lin (Larry A. Ryle High School) of Union
• Bella Norman (Greenwood High School) of Bowling Green
• Anish Penmecha (Western Hills High School) of Frankfort
• Angelo Pimienta (Pikeville High School) of Pikeville
• Haven Romero (Lafayette High School) of Lexington
• Samirah Salifu (Greenwood High School) of Bowling Green
• Arivumani Srivastava (Greenwood High School) of Bowling Green
• John Stewart (Oldham County High School) of La Grange
• Nathan Turlington (Central Hardin High School) of Cecilia
• Satyasree Vangoor (North Oldham High School) of Goshen
• Hunter Wimsatt (Owensboro Catholic High School) of Owensboro
• Kaleb Workman (Randall K. Cooper High School) of Union

Approximately 1.5 million students enter the National Merit ® Scholarship Program each year, and around 50,000 entrants qualify for program recognition. Since students take the qualifying PSAT exam in October of their junior year of high school, much of their preparation stems from learning opportunities during their freshman and sophomore years of high school. The Gatton Academy builds on those experiences to provide students with a robust application and preparation for the SAT, a critical component in becoming a finalist.

All National Merit Scholarship winners for 2022 will be announced in nationwide releases beginning in April. For more information about The Gatton Academy, visit www.wku.edu/academy or call (270)745-6565.

About The National Merit Scholarship Program: Established in 1955, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. NMSC conducts the National Merit ® Scholarship Program and the National Achievement ® Scholarship Program- annual competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship ® awards, and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation’s respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders.

About The Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented junior and seniors. The Gatton Academy’s students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Gatton Academy has been named to Jay Mathews’ list of top-performing schools with elite students for eleven consecutive appearances and received the National Consortium for Secondary STEM School’s Innovation Partnership Award.