WKU News

On Sunday afternoon, May 2, graduates representing 42 counties from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky were recognized during The Gatton Academy’s 14th graduation ceremony.  The ceremony took place in Diddle Arena, where masks were required and attending graduates and families were strategically spaced to adhere to COVID distancing guidelines. The graduation ceremony was simultaneously webcast to facilitate viewing by extended family and friends, alumni, and WKU faculty and staff.

Gatton Academy Executive Director and Mahurin Professor of Gifted Education Dr. Julia Roberts expressed that the ceremony was a celebration for the entire state and commended students on their accomplishments. “Graduates, you have created an exceptional record during your two years as you have completed high school and launched your college career simultaneously,” stated Roberts.” You have engaged in research, sharing your research at virtual conferences across the country and internationally.”

Gatton Academy Director Dr. Lynette Breedlove praised the graduates for their persistence. “These students have taken the most rigorous curriculum offered to any high school students in the nation. They left the comfort of their homes and established a level of independence that will impact their lives forever. They have forged new friendships, which will grow exponentially in the years to come. And they did all of this during a pandemic.” stated Breedlove.

Eighteen members of the class were selected as National Merit Finalists. 80% of graduates participated in faculty-sponsored research during their Gatton Academy experience. Additionally, 25 graduates completed the STEM + Critical Languages sequences in either Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, or Russian. Among the graduates are three students who advanced to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In addition, one student was named Regeneron Science and Talent Search Finalist, The Gatton Academy’s first student to be awarded that accolade. Graduates won U.S. Department of State National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarships, were named U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates, and one became a finalist for the Breakthrough Challenge.

The graduating class voted to select three of their peers to speak at the ceremony. Starr May, a graduate from Versailles, Christine Belance, a graduate from Louisville, and Andrew Davison, a graduate from Morehead were selected.

May reflected on the impact of her experiences throughout the pandemic, “These past two years have been filled with many, many challenges. I am not the person that I was when I started Gatton, nor am I the person that I expected I would be. Things are still changing, and we have to change with them.” May reminded the Class of 2021 of their resilience, encouraging them as they move on from The Gatton Academy, “We have faced an unprecedented set of challenges, and overcome all of them.”

Belance spoke about the community found within her class, “What’s unique about our class is the amount of encouragement we give each other in reaching our goals. We take pride in knowing that every one of us is participating in something that they treasure and enjoy. We complement each other with phrases like, ‘Oh my gosh, you got in?’ or even, ‘Yes, ma’am!’ The only competition we possess is who can hit a pool noodle on the sidewalk the loudest…” She also reminded her peers of a key lesson for their futures, “Life can teach you anything you desire to know, but will and determination are traits that are earned."

Davison reflected, “Gatton is greater than the sum of its parts,” reminding students of specific experiences they shared and the bonds they developed. “I know as much as each of you how hard it is to say that it is time to be done with Gatton. It feels hollow and insincere. The time that we’ve spent here has been dilated to an experience that feels like it spans so much more than just two years, but in retrospect has contracted into a period shorter than any of us would like." He encouraged the class to savor their remaining moments at The Gatton Academy and to be excited about their journeys ahead.

Dr. Jason Glass, Commissioner of Education (KDE) congratulated the students on their achievements. “Graduating from this [program] is a signal that you are among an elite group of your peers, mastering the role of student and learner. And while we celebrate and honor your academic accomplishments, a significant challenge ahead will be for you to commit to an unending search for knowledge - an unending journey of learning, “he said.

Glass continued, “All the intelligence and talent in the world may get you somewhere, but it won't get you as far as the person who is willing to take on the challenges that others won't; who will go places that others won't go and do things that others fear; who says the things that need to be said and has to courage to change the things that need to be changed. Graduates, you represent the best of us and some of our state’s best hope for a brighter future. We need your brilliance, and we also need your courage.”

Members of The Gatton Academy’s Class of 2021

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

Adair County

• Elizabeth Cook (Adair County High School)
• Samuel Hoffman (Knott County Central High School)

Allen County

• Sarah Hartman* (Allen County-Scottsville High School)

Anderson County

• Justin Hunter (Anderson County High School)

Boone County

• John Dumancic* (Larry A. Ryle High School)
• Krupa Hegde* (Larry A. Ryle High School)
• Mina Ryumae* (Larry A. Ryle High School)

Boyd County

• Matthew Amariah Street (Paul G. Blazer High School)

Boyle County

• Sofia Farmer* (Danville High School)

Breckinridge County

• Jackson Powers* (Breckinridge County High School)

Bullitt County

• Isabella Smith* (Bullitt East High School/Bullitt Advanced Math and Science (BAMS))

Calloway County

• Isaac Anderson (Calloway County High School)

Campbell County

• Raychel Kool* (Campbell County High School)
• Lauren Taylor* (Campbell County High School)

Carter County

• Nathan Gillispie* (West Carter High School)

Casey County

• Allicen White* (Southwestern High School)

Clinton County

• David (Jake) Boils* (Clinton County High School)

Daviess County

• Calvin Higdon (Daviess County High School)
• Ethan Kelly (Daviess County High School)
• Kharley Redmon* (Daviess County High School)
• William Strehl (Daviess County High School)

Estill County

• Morgan Samples* (Estill County High School)

Fayette County

• Nicholas Clevenger (Paul L. Dunbar High School)
• Olivia Sharp Diaz (Henry Clay High School)

Franklin County

• Ahmad Ateyeh* (Western Hills High School)
• Olufunmilola Obielodan* (The Frankfort Christian Academy)
• Diksha Satish* (Western Hills High School)

Fulton County

• Caleb Collins (Fulton County High School)
• Caleb Fields (Fulton County High School)

Graves County

• Natalie Heath* (Graves County High School)

Hancock County

• Katelynn Huddy (Homeschool)

Hardin County

• Steven Reid Lunsford (Elizabethtown High School)
• Jazmine Moore (Elizabethtown High School)

Harrison County

• Caden Maners (Harrison County High School)

Hopkins County

• Tucker Ramage* (Madisonville-North Hopkins High School)
• Jackson Summers* (Madisonville-North Hopkins High School)

Jefferson County

• Shreeya Arora* (duPont Manual High School)
• Christine Belance* (Fairdale High School)
• Arian Chopra (Louisville Male High School)
• Maggie Jones* (duPont Manual High School)
• Sanjana Nasta* (North Oldham High School)
• Aarini Panzade* (duPont Manual High School)
• Aarohi Panzade* (duPont Manual High School)
• Matthew Poynter (St. Francis DeSales High School)
• Audrey Thacker (Eastern High School)

Kenton County

• Ashwin Menon* (Simon Kenton High School)

Knott County

• Benjamin Handshoe* (Hazard High School)

LaRue County

• Jada Hunter-Hays* (LaRue County High School)

Logan County

• Maddox Saul (Russellville High School)

Marion County

• William Fowler III (Bethlehem High School)

McCracken County

• Josiah Baumer* (McCracken County High School)
• Evelyn Dukes* (McCracken County High School)

Mercer County

• William Ty Gordon* (Mercer County Senior High School)

Montgomery County

• Abbott Catesby Pinney* - (Montgomery County High School)

Nelson County

• Joseph Lyvers* (Bardstown High School)
• Annabelle Roberts-Nault* (Bardstown High School)

Oldham County

• Ruby Mason* (Oldham County High School)

Perry County

• Laura Hanna* (Hazard High School)
• Abdallah Sher* (The June Buchanan School)

Powell County

• Christina Fizer (Powell County High School)

Rowan County

• Andrew Davison* (Rowan County Senior High School)

Russell County

• Keegan Fletcher (Russell County High School)
• Samuel Leveridge (Russell County High School)

Scott County

• Brannon Spalding (Scott County High School)

Shelby County

• Treyden Stansfield (Martha Layne Collins High School)

Simpson County

• Morgan Burk* (Franklin-Simpson High School)

Warren County

• Sachi Barnaby* (Bowling Green High School)
• Samuel Chang* (Bowling Green High School)
• Gloria Huang* (South Warren High School)
• Jason Kash (Greenwood High School)
• Emily Mikovch* (South Warren High School)
• Anmol Sandhu (Bowling Green High School)
• Janessa Unseld (South Warren High School)
• Luke Wilson (Greenwood High School)
• Jason Zhang* (Bowling Green High School)

Whitley County

• Aaron Johnson (Corbin High School)

Woodford County

• Lincoln Fuller (Woodford County High School)
• Starr May (Woodford County High School)

* Gatton Community Scholar

These graduates are recognized for completing two semesters of research with a research outcome that was presented to a professional audience after being accepted through a vetted process OR for completing four semesters of study in STEM + Critical Language pathway, AND documenting 60 hours of service. 

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. The Gatton Academy’s 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.