2016-2017 Avatar Intro: Katie Ashley

Hey y’all! I am Katie Ashley, and I will be an Avatar this year. I am from Corbin, home of THE original Kentucky Fried Chicken and Cumberland Falls. Those are our only claims to fame, therefore I have to mention them. Corbin is a rural town in Southeastern Kentucky which is where I get my southern accent and excessive use of the word “y’all” from. Prior to coming to Gatton, I attended Corbin High School.

My academic interests are chemistry and biology. Other things I enjoy include traveling, reading, and food. I have completed two study abroad trips with the Academy, Harlaxton and Italy, and I have also been abroad with The Center for Gifted Studies. The Italy and Harlaxton trips have been extremely memorable and two highlights of my junior year. When in Italy, I got the chance to visit Venice. I remember waking up before every other student fighting the jet lag to wander around the bright canals of Venice. I know that without Gatton I might not have gotten to experience Venice and I definitely wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience it with my great friends.

Also while at Gatton I have experienced Harlaxton Manor in England. Harlaxton was an amazing trip that combined one of my favorite subjects, English Literature, with an amazing manor house in the English countryside. My favorite experience from Harlaxton has to be sitting in the gardens at dusk drinking tea with my roommate.

All my travels have taught me a lot about the world around me. I am so excited that I get to share the wonderful world of Gatton with all of you readers.