A team of juniors and seniors from the Gatton Academy was named National Champions in the Knowledge Master Open for Division I (enrollment under two hundred) High Schools.
Thousands of students throughout the country and in many foreign countries competed on December 5 in the 59th Knowledge Master Open academic competition. During the competition, high school teams competed via computers to answer two hundred questions from a variety of subject areas ranging from American history to biology to the fine arts.
The Gatton Academy team was comprised of Noah Dixon, Ben Koehler, Vishnuteja Tirumala, Natasha Richardson, Grace Babbs, Nitin Krishna, Ajit Deshpande, Austin Smith, Joseph Crafton, and Nathaniel Clause and answered one hundred and eighty-five questions correctly out of the two hundred. In addition to the team being named National Champion amongst Division I schools, the Gatton Academy placed third in the state of Kentucky.
Chad Phillips, assistant director for admissions and public relations, stated that Gatton Academy students excel in a variety of academic areas in addition to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
“Since the Gatton Academy emphasizes mathematics and science, many individuals are surprised to learn that our students are equally strong in other academic areas such as the economics and geography,” Phillips said. “While our students intend to pursue advanced careers that require substantial study in mathematics and science, we are pleased to know that our students are becoming well rounded problem solvers that can handle the challenges of a 21st century economy.”
The Knowledge Master Open was designed to stimulate enthusiasm for learning and recognition for academic accomplishment. The contest runs on classroom computers to all students the opportunity to compete in a large academic event without the expense of traveling to a central site. Results of the contest are tabulated into overall, state, and enrollment-size rankings by Academic Hallmarks, a Colorado publishing firm that hosts the event.
