WKU News

The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky has selected 100 Kentucky sophomores for the Class of 2025, marking The Gatton Academy’s 18^th incoming class.

“Each year we are reminded Kentucky is filled with remarkable students seeking advanced coursework and challenge in their education," said the Director of The Gatton Academy, Dr. Lynette Breedlove. “The Class of 2025 are an inspiring group who have been supported and encouraged by many people in their local schools, districts, and communities.”

Applicants were evaluated based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards and accomplishments, extracurricular activities, responses to essay and short answer questions, and recommendation forms. In addition to these criteria, candidates were invited to interview with WKU faculty members, community leaders from across the Commonwealth, and Gatton Academy alumni.

Students from 46 counties make up the Class of 2025.  Among the students accepted include either the third or fourth students accepted in The Gatton Academy’s 15-year history from the following counties: Bourbon, Butler, McLean, and Wayne. Overall, The Gatton Academy has had students attend from 117 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.

The mission of The Gatton Academy is to provide a residential program on the campus of Western Kentucky University for bright, highly motivated Kentucky high school students who have demonstrated interests in pursuing advanced careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students enhance their creativity, curiosity, reasoning ability, and self-discipline through the companionship of peers, university courses, faculty-led research, and study abroad, preparing them for leadership roles in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Moreover, The Gatton Academy assists in preparing Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers with ties to the state.

“The young people in Gatton’s Class of 2025 represent Kentucky geographically as well as in other characteristics, carrying out the goal of The Gatton Academy to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment that offers advanced educational opportunities and develop as future leaders for the Commonwealth,” stated Dr. Julia Roberts, Executive Director of The Gatton Academy and Mahurin Professor of Gifted Education.  “What a pleasure it is to welcome them to The Gatton Academy.”

Students will complete their junior and senior years of high school living in Florence Schneider Hall.  At the end of their two-year course of study, students will graduate from high school with a minimum of 60 college credit hours.

The Gatton Academy provides a rich living and learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features clubs, organizations, and community service. Additionally, students are able to participate in advanced research with WKU faculty members. Research conducted during students’ time at The Gatton Academy has been honored in the nationally competitive Regeneron Science Talent Search, Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, and published in scientific journals. Study abroad opportunities allow students to participate in global learning experiences in locations such as Costa Rica and England.

The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first state-supported, two-year residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and is one of only 15 such programs in the nation. The Gatton Academy is a recipient of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine and the Innovation Partnership Award from the National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools.

Students selected for The Gatton Academy’s Class of 2025:

(Students are organized by county of residence, with their sending school in parenthesis.)

Allen County

• Quinn Hartman (Allen County - Scottsville High School) – Steve and Julie Hartman of Scottsville

Barren County

• Kate Hans (Glasgow High School) – Bryan and Melissa Baysinger of Glasgow, and Daniel Hans of Louisville

 Boone County

• Mike Bucks (Conner High School) – Joseph and Samantha Bucks of Hebron
• Isabella Dilger (Larry A. Ryle High School) – Nikolaus and Tonya Dilger of Union
• Brinkley Thompson (Conner High School) – Ashley and Carl Thompson of Burlington

Bourbon County

• Jaime Pablo Mendez-Cano (Paris High School) – Pablo Mendez and Asunciona Cano of Paris

Bullitt County

• Luna Asbell (Riverview Opportunity Center) – Jessie and Christina Asbell of Shepherdsville
• Samantha Bowling (Bullitt Advanced Math and Science Program) – Jason and Michelle Bowling of Shepherdsville
• Jennifer Naylor (Bullitt Advanced Math and Science Program/Riverview Opportunity Center) – Jeffrey and Jeramie Naylor of Shepherdsville

Butler County

• Dastin Scott (Butler County High School) – Eric and Jennifer Scott of Morgantown

Calloway County

• Elly Grogan (Murray High School) – Amy Grogan and Rick Grogan of Murray
• Elizabeth Lanier (Calloway County High School) – Alan and Catherine Lanier of Murray

Campbell County

• Yegor Lushpin (Campbell County High School) – Katya and Vlad Lushpin of Alexandria

Christian County

• Cole Glover (University Heights Academy) – Eston and Misty Glover of Hopkinsville
• Katie Isaacs (University Heights Academy) – Jennifer Cox and Josh Cox of Hopkinsville
• Rudra Patel (University Heights Academy) – Bhupendra and Bhavna Patel of Hopkinsville

Daviess County

• Thomas Ard (Apollo High School) - Donald Ard and Amanda Ard of Owensboro
• Ellie Haleman (Owensboro Catholic High School) – Troy and Carol Haleman of Owensboro
• Jace Hawkins (Daviess County High School) – David Hawkins, and Nicole Hawkins Luechtefeld and Jeff Leuchtefeld of Owensboro
• Jackson Holman (Daviess County High School) – Jeremy and Anessa Holman of Owensboro
• Elijah Johnson (Homeschool) – Stuart and Carrie Johnson of Maceo
• Eric Mack (Apollo High School) – Trina Mack and Freddy Mack of Owensboro
• Ethan Papp (Apollo High School) – Covena Cochran and Jeffery Cochran of Owensboro
• Jill Patel (Daviess County High School) – Chiragi and Ashish Patel of Owensboro

Estill County

• Madison Riddell (Estill County High School) – Bernece Burke and Larry Burke of Irvine

Fayette County

• Palmer Cornett (Homeschool) – Randy and Tina Cornett of Lexington
• Irv Mesias-Guzman (Carter G. Woodson Academy) – Sandra Guzman and Felix Mesias of Lexington

Franklin County

• Mahmood Ateyeh (Western Hills High School) – Ossama Ateyah and Ablah Atieh of Frankfort
• Varshith Kotagiri (Western Hills High School) – Srikanth and Mamatha Kotagiri of Frankfort
• Jonathan Edward Philpot II (Franklin County High School) – Jonathan and Casey Philpot of Frankfort

Fulton County

• James T. Clark (Hickman County High School) – John and Necole Clark of Fulton

Grant County

• Hannah Herrmann (Grant County High School) – Eric and Cara Herrmann of Crittenden

Grayson County

• Elli Hester (Grayson County High School) – Jeff and Jodie Hester of Leitchfield
• Eldon Williams (Grayson County High School) – Hank Williams and Lisa Woodrum-Williams of Leitchfield

Hancock County

• Eli Mucker (Hancock County High School) – Deion and Caroline Mucker of Lewisport
• Maddox Simpson (Hancock County High School) – Eric and Holly Simpson of Hawesville

Hardin County

• Francis Peak (Central Hardin High School) – Frank and Danika Peak of Elizabethtown
• Kenneth Richie Jr. (John Hardin High School) – Kenneth and Melissa Richie of Radcliff
• C. Noelle Sanders (John Hardin High School) – John and Beth Sanders of Elizabethtown

Harrison County

• Skylar Turner (Harrison County High School) – Levi and Tiffany Gallagher, and Brandon and Autumn Turner of Cynthiana

Henderson County

• Maggie Ford (Henderson County High School) – Chris and Laney Ford of Henderson
• Saylor Wagner (Henderson County High School) – Jennifer and Mike Wagner of Henderson

Henry County

• Bruno Castaneda (Henry County High School) – Luis and Suzanne Castaneda of Smithfield
• Michael Thompson (Henry County High School/iLEAD Academy) – Michael and Kathy Thompson of Campbellsburg

Hopkins County

• Harlee Evans (Madisonville North Hopkins High School) – Marvin and Kelly Evans of Manitou

Jefferson County

• Zahra Chasmawala (duPont Manual High School) – Alifya and Munaf Chasmawala of Louisville
• Flynn Harris (duPont Manual High School) – Andrew and Clara Harris of Louisville
• Ally Hauber (duPont Manual High School) – Elizabeth Kotheimer of Louisville
• Emma Hyman (duPont Manual High School) – Bernadett and Michael Hyman of Louisville
• Rehan Shaikh (Ballard High School) – Musa and Kousarbanu Shaikh of Louisville

Jessamine County

• Jack Bowles (West Jessamine High School) – Jason and Kathryn Bowles of Nicholasville
• Juwon Joung (West Jessamine High School) – Jaewoo Joung and Yunjeong Go of Wilmore
• Taylor Roberts (East Jessamine High School) – Derek and Kelly Roberts of Nicholasville

LaRue County

• Emily Detre (LaRue County High School) – Jason and Natalie Detre of Hodgenville
• Abby Goodin (LaRue County High School) – Bob and Jen Goodin of Hodgenville

Lincoln County

• Olivia Sousis (Lincoln County High School) – Rhonda and James O’Brien of Waynesburg

Logan County

• Samantha Williams (Logan County High School) – Victoria Thomas and Donald Williams of Auburn

Madison County

• Chealsea Gachagua (Model Laboratory School) of Richmond
• Mark Kipelio (Madison Central High School) – Jairus and Hilda Kipelio of Richmond
• Michael Kipelio (Madison Central High School) – Jairus and Hilda Kipelio of Richmond
• Leo Lewis (Berea Community High School) – Michael Lewis and Krista Lewis of Berea
• Lesley Morgan (Berea Community High School) – Debra Morgan of Berea

Marshall County

• Clark Pullen (Marshall County High School) – Scott and Lisa Pullen of Benton

Mason County

• Lainie Forsythe (Mason County High School) – Daniel and Devin Forsythe of Dover

McCracken County

• Bailey Amyx (McCracken County High School) – Josh and Jessica Amyx of Paducah
• Maggie Rowton (Paducah Tilghman High School) – David and Lisa Rowton of Paducah

McLean County

• Aiden Robertson (McLean County High School) – Christopher Robertson of Owensboro and Tabitha Sallee of Calhoun

Mercer County

• Sydney Putnam (Mercer County Senior High School) – Jennifer Putnam of Harrodsburg

Nelson County

• Gavin Vittitow (Thomas Nelson High School) – Stacie Vittitow and Trey Vittitow of Bardstown

Ohio County

• Ashley Gledhill (Owensboro Innovation Academy) – Christina and Mike Gledhill of Beaver Dam

Oldham County

• Matthew Clark (South Oldham High School) – Stephen and Marita Clark of Crestwood
• Jacob Dant (Oldham County High School) – Scott and Elizabeth Dant of LaGrange
• Koah Ghrist (Oldham County High School) – Hillary and Cody Ghrist of Crestwood
• Gabriel Scott Wang Gooden (Oldham County High School) – Anthony and JoAnna Gooden of Smithfield
• Nihal Jacob (South Oldham High School) – Diksha Katwal and Neville Jacob of Crestwood
• Mabel Vilt (Oldham County High School) – Kimberly and James Vilt of Crestwood

Owen County

• Carson Cram (iLEAD Academy) – Ryan Cram and Beth Cram of Owenton

Pulaski County

• Maura Larney (Somerset High School) – Keara Larney and Jason Larney of Somerset

Rowan County

• Ava Blackledge (Rowan County Senior High School) – John and Cynthia Blackledge of Morehead

Scott County

• Braydon Smith (Scott County High School) – Steve and Rashell Smith of Georgetown

Simpson County

• Kirstin Johnson (Franklin Simpson High School) – Shane and Jennifer Johnson of Franklin

Taylor County

• Jacob DeBrot (Campbellsville High School) – David and Lam DeBrot of Campbellsville

Warren County

• Ibrahim Ali (South Warren High School) – Mohammad Ali and Shabeena P. Ali of Bowling Green
• Austin Anderson (Warren Central High School) – Kevin Anderson and Misty Lightfoot of Bowling Green
• Aanyaa Arora (Greenwood High School) – Sandeep and Manisha Arora of Bowling Green
• Asa Ashley (Bowling Green High School) – Noah Ashley and Mandy Ashley of Bowling Green
• Brighton Bergner (South Warren High School) – Jason and Jody Bergner of Bowling Green
• Graham Browder-Seguin (Bowling Green High School) - Dorothea Browder and Todd Seguin of Bowling Green
• Alper Er (Bowling Green High School) – Aynur and Ali Er of Bowling Green
• Lola Norman (Greenwood High School) – Keith and Nicole Norman of Bowling Green
• Emma O’Nan (Greenwood High School) – Tamara O’Nan and Steven O’Nan of Rockfield
• Mallory Quinn (Bowling Green High School) – Erin and Shawn Quinn of Bowling Green
• Jackson Sternberg (Bowling Green High School) – Drs. Tom and Liz Sternberg of Bowling Green

Wayne County

• Sophia Beaudoin (Wayne County High School) – Amy Beaudoin and Joseph Beaudoin of Monticello

Whitley County

• Daniel Thelen (Corbin High School) – Dania Egedi and Doug Thelen of Corbin

Woodford County

• Luke Cissell (Woodford County High School) – Mark and Brenda Cissell of Versailles
• Molly Jo Elmore (Woodford County High School) – Jason and Monica Elmore of Versailles
• Lincoln Nelle (Woodford County High School) - Whitni and Paul Hartsell of Versailles
• Chaz Stout (Woodford County High School) – Charles and Stephanie Stout of Versailles

About The Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented juniors 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 is a recipient of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine and the Innovation Partnership Award from the National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools.