WKU News

The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky has selected 97 Kentucky sophomores for the Class of 2028, marking The Gatton Academy’s 21^st incoming class.

“Each year during the admissions process we have the opportunity to meet incredible young people from all over the Commonwealth who are seeking opportunities to take the most advanced coursework possible in science, technology, engineering, and math,” said the Director of The Gatton Academy, Dr. Lynette Breedlove. “Members of the Gatton Academy Class of 2028 are remarkable representatives of their communities ready to explore their infinite possibilities.”

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 36 counties make up the Class of 2028.  Among the students accepted, this class includes the first student from Dawson Springs High School, the first two students from Western High School, and students among the first five from Butler County High School, Bullitt Central High School, Highlands High School, Knox Central High School, Mayfield High School, and Williamstown High School. Overall, The Gatton Academy has had students attend from 118 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.

“How special it is to welcome a new class of students who will begin on the 20^th year of The Gatton Academy. These exceptional young scientists and mathematicians will 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. 

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 and an Associate Degree of Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Kentucky University.

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.

Students selected for The Gatton Academy’s Class of 2028:

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

Allen County

• Logan Daniels (Allen County Scottsville High School) – Richard and Danell Daniels of Scottsville

Barren County

• Jacob W Judd (Glasgow High School) – Korey and Amber Judd of Glasgow

 Boone County

• Gabriel Brown (Randall K. Cooper High School) – Andrew and Megan Brown of Florence
• Pranav Chodavarapu (Larry A. Ryle High School) – Sivaram Chodavarapu and Ravali Voore of Walton
• Blake Dodds (Larry A. Ryle High School) – Christine Dodds and Travis Dodds of Union
• Wyatt Frilling-Fant (Larry A. Ryle High School) – Mandie Frilling and Michael Fant of Union
• Eshanya Kapoor (Larry A. Ryle High School) – Sunil and Ritu Kapoor of Union
• Mohanasri Manikandan (Larry A. Ryle High School) – Manikandan Ramachandiran and Muthamizh Manikandan of Union
• Ramón Mireles Jr. (Villa Madonna Academy) – Ramón E. Mireles, Bertha A. Cisneros of Union

Boyle County

• Maggie Bates (Boyle County High School) – John Bates of Danville
• Solon Sims (Danville High School) – Elizabeth Sims and James Sims of Danville

Bullitt County

• Emma Kliewer (Riverview Opportunity Center) – Trish and Doug Kliewer of Lebanon Junction
• Debra Satterly (Riverview Opportunity Center) – Elizabeth Arbuckle of Shepherdsville
• Alexis Uhling (Riverview Opportunity Center) – Alex and Tracie Uhling of Mount Washington
• Kaylee Uhling (Bullitt East High School) – Alex and Tracie Uhling of Mount Washington
• Shae Wilson (Riverview Opportunity Center) – Russell and Debbie Wilson of Pioneer Village

Butler County

• Mark W. Gruber (Butler County High School) – Michael and Lynn Gruber of Morgantown

Caldwell County

• Logan Stegall (Caldwell County High School) – Mari Stegall, Paul Stegall of Princeton

Calloway County

• Ella Martin (Calloway County High School) – Jarrod and Sarah Martin of Murray

Campbell County

• James Owen Taylor (Highlands High School) – Jessica Averitt Taylor and James Taylor of Fort Thomas

Clark County

• Kolton Adkins (George Rogers Clark High School) – Randolph “Tony” and Khirsten Brewer and Jeremy and Shaquilla Adkins of Winchester

Daviess County

• Elizabeth Grimes (Apollo High School) – Gabe and Cassandra Grimes of Owensboro
• Keya Patel (Daviess County High School) – Sunny Patel, Pete Patel of Owensboro
• Krystal Sosh (Apollo High School) – Andrew and Melany Sosh of Owensboro

Fayette County

• William Hill (Paul Laurence Dunbar High School) – Timothy Hill, Ashley Hill of Lexington
• Eashan Kolli (Paul Laurence Dunbar High School) – Swarna Tirumani, Naga Kolli of Lexington
• Isaac McBride (Paul Laurence Dunbar High School) – Mark and Christie McBride of Lexington
• Collyn L. McCloud (Lafayette High School) – Craig and Karen McCloud of Lexington
• Sawyer Wiglesworth (Henry Clay High School) – Jamey Wiglesworth, Sherry Wright of Lexington
• Drew Zimmermann (Henry Clay High School) – Brian and Joanne Zimmermann of Lexington

Franklin County

• Ritvika Kalavagunta (Western Hills High School) – Pallavi Inguva, Surya Kalavagunta of Frankfort
• Julianne Roy (The Frankfort Christian Academy) – David and Emily Roy of Frankfort

Grant County

• Natán Gracia (Williamstown High School) – Reinaldo and Xiomara Gracia of Williamstown

Graves County

• Kaylie Tyler (Mayfield High School) – Victoria Coneal, Joe Tyler of Mayfield

Hardin County

• Z Anderson (Elizabethtown High School) – Jose and Amy Rivera of Elizabethtown
• Joy Spencer (John Hardin High School) – Prenell Spencer and Ramona Coffie of Elizabethtown

Hopkins County

• Elanor Chappell (Dawson Springs High School) – Mance Chappell, MaryGrace Chappell of Dawson Springs
• Brandon Fowler (Madisonville North Hopkins High School) – Michael and Tracey Fowler of Hanson
• Bailie Scorsur (Madisonville North Hopkins High School) – Christine Scorsur and Cowboy Tidwell, and Benjamin Scorsur of Madisonville

Jefferson County

• Alina Fuentes (Male Traditional High School) – Celia Puig of Louisville
• Saishreyash Ganteti (duPont Manual High School) – Anilkumar Ganteti and Ramya Kumari of Louisville
• Helen Higdon (Atherton High School) – David and Kristin Higdon of Louisville
• Lethan Le (duPont Manual High School) – Tin Le, Vesna Le of Louisville
• Saanvi Madishetty (duPont Manual High School) – Kiran Madishetty and Sowmya Kota of Louisville
• Connor Mattingly (Western High School) – Ken and Jennifer Mattingly of Louisville
• Sharan Sai Rajamahendram (duPont Manual High School) – Venkata Rathnam Rajamahendram and Satya Swetha Punyamurthy of Louisville
• Siddhant Shukla (duPont Manual High School) – Pankaj Shukla, Shilpi Bansal of Louisville
• Saloni Solanki (Ballard High School) – Kirtish Solanki and Poowam Solanki of Louisville
• Gabby Stinson (Ballard High School) – Stephanie Stinson of Louisville
• Devin Story (Western High School) – Troiane Staton of Louisville
• Sarah Kate Turner (Sacred Heart Academy) – Clay and Carol Turner of Louisville
• Melissa Urbina-Ortiz (Ballard High School) – Yessica Ortiz-Viscarra, Anthony Belinsky of Louisville

Kenton County

• Paige Clements (Beechwood High School) – Martin and Nicole Clements of Fort Mitchell

Knox County

• Isaac Campbell (Knox Central High School) – Jimmy and Marianne Campbell of Barbourville

Laurel County

• Riley Mac Gardner (Corbin High School) – Dr. Warren Gardner and Dr. Randi Windham Gardner of London
• Lila Oster (North Laurel High School) – Alan Oster and Jade Oster of London
• Addison Pitman (North Laurel High School) – Stephen and Tiffany Pitman of East Bernstadt
• Qasim Ali Sroya (North Laurel High School) – Dr. Hafiz Sroya and Dr. Adeela Bashir of London

Marion County

• Grace Hamilton (Marion County High School) – Megan Howard and Richard Hamilton of Lebanon

McCracken County

• Andrew Byrne (McCracken County High School) – Shelley and Paul Byrne of Kevil
• Ainsley Garner (Community Christian Academy) – Hank and Dawn Garner of Paducah
• Brynleigh Sullivan (McCracken County High School) – Alecia Sullivan and Drew Gourieux of Paducah

Meade County

• Noah Burdick (Meade County High School) – Debra Burdick and James Burdick of Vine Grove

Mercer County

• Shon Hopper (Mercer County Senior High School) – Lora and Derek Cummins, Shondale Hopper of Harrodsburg

Muhlenberg County

• Jonathan Wong Mayes (Muhlenberg County High School) – Venty Mayes and John Mayes of Greenville
• Brody Sheriff (Muhlenberg County High School) – Aaron and Britney Evitts of Greenville

Nelson County

• Jackson Crittenden (Bardstown High School) – Chad and Brandi Crittenden of Bardstown
• Jack Mitzelfelt (Nelson County High School) – Brad Mitzelfelt and Megan Blaney-Mitzelfelt of Bloomfield
• Sarah Monin (Thomas Nelson High School) – Jim and Kim Monin of Cox’s Creek
• Madison Wethington (Thomas Nelson High School) – Traci and Josh Wethington of Cox’s Creek
• Llewellyn Yoder (Thomas Nelson High School) – Nina Jankoski, Thomas R Yoder III of Bardstown

Ohio County

• Everett D. Leach (Ohio County High School) – Michael and Anglela Leach of Hartford

Oldham County

• Collin Cantway (South Oldham High School) – Stephanie and Tyler Cantway of Crestwood
• Skyla Cun (South Oldham High School) – Lin Tran of Crestwood
• Brielle Dorris (Oldham County High School) – Jack and Natalie Dorris of La Grange
• Caitlyn George (North Oldham High School) – Robert and Bishan George of Goshen
• Carter Heck (Louisville Collegiate School) – Nick and Cortney Peskoe, Brian and Danielle Heck of Crestwood
• Antonio Nunes (North Oldham High School) – Daniel Nunes and Sheila Da Silva of Goshen
• Reece Salyer (Oldham County High School) – Neil and Malana Salyer of La Grange
• Annlina Yang (South Oldham High School) – Sai Li and Xinxi Yang of Crestwood

Scott County

• Olivia Conner (Great Crossing High School) – Clay and Christi Conner of Georgetown

Shelby County

• Kaelyn Kidwell (Shelby County High School) – Steffanie Uday, Tarale Uday, David Kidwell, Nikki Kidwell of Shelbyville
• Gloria Shepard (Shelby County High School) – Renee and Andy Shepard of Shelbyville
• Sadie Warren (Shelby County High School) – Dena and Jason Warren of Waddy
• Parker Wilcoxson (Shelby County High School) – Jon and Brooke Wilcoxson of Shelbyville

Simpson County

• Krish Kumar (Franklin-Simpson High School) – Madhurima Sahu and Neeraj Kumar of Franklin

Spencer County

• Nate Blandford (Spencer County High School) – Dean and Sarah Blandford of Fisherville

Union County

• Braden Williams (Union County High School) – Trista Travis of Sturgis

Warren County

• Qais Abumuhfouz (Greenwood High School) – Ismail Abumuhfouz and Huda Hamwia of Bowling Green
• Wyatt Clay (South Warren High School) – George Clay, Saida Clay of Bowling Green
• Paul Dinan (Bowling Green High School) – Ben Dinan, Nancy Dinan of Bowling Green
• Diya Yashpal Modi (Greenwood High School) – Dipa and Yashpal Modi of Bowling Green
• Kalynn Odle (Bowling Green High School) – Dolly and Roger Thomas, Michelle and Victoria Odle of Bowling Green
• Shiloh Peterson (Greenwood High School) – Dave and Nikki Peterson of Bowling Green
• Evelin Watt (Warren East High School) – Justin and Libby Watt of Smiths Grove
• Joanna Zhang (South Warren High School) – Rui Zhang, Lei Peng of Bowling Green

Whitley County

• Skyler Nichols (Whitley County High School) – George Nichols of Corbin

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.