WKU News

Photo Credits (Picture at Left): 
Top Row (L-R) Tristan Clement, Bailey Knight, JaMaur Lyons, Lea Mitchell, Sarah Pedersen, Zane Polley
Bottom Row (L-R) Emma Poole, Abrar Rahman, Madeline Springate, Ian Storrs, Anna Strunjas, Hazel Traw

Twelve students at The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WKU have received nationally-competitive National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarships for immersive, critical language study this summer.  They will travel to China, Estonia, Moldova, Morocco, Russia, and Taiwan.  This is the highest number of awards in a single year for Gatton Academy students yet.

NSLI-Y scholarships are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, offering full funding for the six-to-eight-week programs.  Scholarships include a four-day orientation in Washington, DC or New York City, travel to and from the host countries, housing with host families, meals, and all activities and fees.  NSLI-Y immerses participants in the cultural life of the host country, giving them formal and informal language practice and sparking a lifetime interest in foreign languages and cultures.  The NSLI-Y program was launched in 2006 to promote critical language learning among American youth.

The Gatton Academy has three critical language tracks in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, and Russian called STEM + Critical Languages.  Through these optional curricular tracks, students choose to pair progressively-rigorous critical language study each semester alongside the classic STEM curriculum offered to all Gatton Academy students. 

This marks the ninth consecutive year that Gatton Academy students have received NSLI-Y scholarships.

This year’s recipients are noted below, with their sending school in parentheses.

Tristan Clement (Henderson County High School)

Clement will travel to Moldova for intensive Russian study with his NSLI-Y Scholarship this summer.  He is a first-year student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Russian track taking Russian courses through WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Clement is the son of Jennifer and Michael Clement of Henderson.  “My NSLI-Y experience will be a great opportunity to learn about a different culture,” Clement said.  “I can’t wait for the summer.”

Bailey Knight (Paul L. Dunbar High School)

Knight will continue his study of the Chinese language this summer with his NSLI-Y Scholarship in Xiamen, China.  He is a first-year Gatton Academy student studying Chinese through the WKU Chinese Flagship in the STEM + Chinese track.  Knight is the son of Julie and Tom Knight of Lexington.  “I’m looking forward to being thrust into this new situation,” Knight said.  “NSLI-Y is going to help me grow.”

JaMaur Lyons (North Hardin High School)

Lyons will continue his study of Chinese language this summer with his NSLI-Y Scholarship in Taiwan.  He is a first-year student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Chinese track taking courses in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Lyons is the son of LaTasha Burton of Vine Grove.  “It will be fun learning about the language and culture while conversing with native speakers,” Lyons said.

Lea Mitchell (Conner High School)

Mitchell will travel to Xiamen, China to study Chinese with her NSLI-Y Scholarship this summer.  She is a graduating student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Chinese track taking Chinese classes in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Mitchell is the daughter of Traci Markgraf and Scott Mitchell of northern Kentucky.  “I’m most looking forward to staying and connecting with my host family,” Mitchell said.

Sarah Pedersen (Corbin High School)

Pedersen will travel to Taiwan to study Chinese with her NSLI-Y Scholarship.  She is a first-year student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Chinese track taking Chinese classes in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Pedersen is the daughter of Anne and Dr. Paul Pedersen of Barbourville.  “I hope that NSLI-Y will further develop my Chinese language ability while simultaneously giving me the opportunity to explore Taiwan’s unique and vibrant culture,” Pedersen said.

Zane Polley (Henderson County High School)

Polley will continue his study of the Russian language with his NSLI-Y Scholarship in Estonia.  He is a graduating student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Russian track taking courses in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Polley is the son of Debra and Zachary W. Polley of Henderson.  "I'm most looking forward to the immersion in the Russian language the NSLI-Y program offers," Polley said.

Emma Poole (Muhlenberg County High School)

Poole will travel to Morocco to study Arabic with her NSLI-Y Scholarship this summer.  She is a graduating student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Arabic track taking Arabic classes in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Poole is the daughter of Lisa and Ron Poole of Central City.  “I am looking forward to meeting my host family and sharing varying aspects of our cultures with each other,” Poole said.  “I'm interested to see how even though we live several thousand miles away from each other, and there is an ocean that separates us, that we actually aren't that different!”

Abrar Rahman (Glasgow High School)

Rahman will travel to Morocco to study Arabic with his NSLI-Y Scholarship this summer.  He is a first-year student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Arabic track taking Arabic classes in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Rahman is the son of Tahmina and Mokhlesur M. Rahman of Cave City.  "I'm looking forward to living with a host family and learning their language alongside other students from around the United States,” Rahman said.

Madeline Springate (Woodford County High School)

Springate will travel to Morocco to study Arabic with her NSLI-Y Scholarship this summer.  She is a graduating student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Arabic track taking Arabic classes in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Springate is the daughter of Sherri and James Springate of Versailles.  “I am most looking forward to not only learning more Modern Standard Arabic, but exploring the Moroccan dialect and learning how to cook delicious food,” Springate said.

Ian Storrs (Dixie Heights High School)

Storrs will travel to Moldova for intensive Russian study with his NSLI-Y Scholarship.  He is a first-year student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Russia track taking Russian courses through WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Storrs is the son of Dr. Glenn Storrs of Covington and Robin Storrs.  “I am greatly looking forward to living with a host family in Moldova and being immersed in the culture for six weeks,” Storrs said.

Anna Strunjas (Bowling Green High School)

Strunjas will travel to Moscow, Russia for intensive Russian study with her NSLI-Y Scholarship this summer.  She is a graduating Gatton Academy student.  Strunjas is the daughter of Dr. Jean Neils-Strunjas and Dr. Sasha Strunjas of Bowling Green.  Strunjas said, “Immersion will offer me a deeper understanding of Russian language and culture that is important in the context of complex historical and current world events.”

Hazel Traw (Berea Community High School)

Traw will travel to Morocco to study Arabic with her NSLI-Y Scholarship.  She is a first-year student in The Gatton Academy’s STEM + Arabic track taking Arabic classes in WKU’s Department of Modern Languages.  Traw is the daughter of Dr. Nancy Gift and Dr. Brian Traw of Berea.  “NSLI-Y will broaden my horizons and allow me many opportunities that would otherwise not be available,” Traw said.  “It's going to be a blast.”

About The Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first two-year residential STEM program for gifted and talented junior and seniors. Gatton Academy students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students while pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering and mathematical careers. The Gatton Academy has been named to The Washington Post’s list of top-performing schools with elite students for nine consecutive years.