WKU News

Fifteen seniors from The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized as Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Since The Gatton Academy’s inception in 2007, a total of 270 students have been named National Merit Semifinalists. 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 students’ sending school experiences to provide them with preparation for the ACT® and SAT®, critical components in becoming finalists.

The 2024-2025 National Merit Semifinalists from The Gatton Academy are:

Ibrahim Ali (South Warren High School) of Bowling Green

Luna Asbell (Riverview Opportunity Center) of Shepherdsville

Asa Ashley (Bowling Green High School) of Bowling Green

Mahmood Ateyeh (Western Hills High School) of Frankfort

Ryn Beaudoin (Wayne County High School) of Monticello

Bruno Castaneda (Henry County High School) of Smithfield

Luke Cissell (Woodford County High School) of Versailles

Alper Er (Bowling Green High School) of Bowling Green

Ellie Haleman (Owensboro Catholic High School) of Owensboro

Jace Hawkins (Daviess County High School) of Owensboro

Emma Hyman (duPont Manual High School) of Louisville

Nihal Jacob (South Oldham High School) of Crestwood

Juwon Joung (West Jessamine High School) of Wilmore

Elizabeth Lanier (Calloway County High School) of Murray

Sydney Putnam (Mercer County Senior High School) of Harrodsburg 

More than 1.3 million juniors entered the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as the initial screening of program entrants.  From this list comes the nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.  The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

“We are incredibly proud of our scholars. Being recognized as National Merit Semi-Finalists is quite an accomplishment,” stated Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy. “We are grateful for the support they received from their sending school districts in preparing them for the PSAT/NMSQT and appreciate their continued partnerships.” 

 Of the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level.  To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist and their school must submit a detailed scholarship application, providing information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.  A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout their high school career, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn ACT® and SAT® scores that confirm the Semifinalist’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.  

Finalists will be announced in February, and all National Merit Scholarship winners for 2025 are selected from this group. Winners will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July 2025. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

 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, Achievement 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 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.