2019-2020 – Page 3 – The Gatton Academy News

2019-2020 Avatar: Lorenzo Mahoney

July 10, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Lorenzo Mahoney | No Comments

Hello friends! My name is Lorenzo Mahoney and I am beyond ecstatic to be an Avatar for the 2019-2020 year.

A little about my story pre-Gatton: I’ve lived my entire life in Louisville, Kentucky and I spent the first two years of high school at Kentucky Country Day. There, between Quick Recall, KUNA, and cross country, most times my mentions of Gatton were met with a confusing stare. Nevertheless, the Academy has always been an idea in my head ever since I heard of it during my first year at VAMPY, a summer camp at WKU through the Center for Gifted Studies. Fast forward three years, and I was officially moving into Florence Schneider Hall with around a hundred new classmates, excited but anxious about what new adventures awaited me. Looking back now, little junior me had no idea what was in store.

First, academics. The rigor is unparalleled, but that is what makes achievement great. Before coming here, I had never taken a single biology class. One week in, I had already started research through the Genome Discovery and Exploration Program (GDEP) program to begin isolating and characterizing my own phage (a virus for bacteria) and attending lectures on proteins, genetics, and ecology. I was hooked. The classes at Gatton allow students to pursue STEM in a way unimaginable at their home schools, both in variety and depth. If you have a question, someone on campus has the answer.

Another aspect at Gatton I’m thankful for is the opportunities for research. After the GDEP program, which took me from a simple soil sample to seeing my phage under the electron microscope to presenting at WKU’s research conference, I was eager for more. So, with help from Gatton’s staff and a few emails and meetings with professors, I began biochemistry research with Dr. Sigrid Jacobshagen looking at circadian rhythms and growth rates of different strains of green algae in different growth mediums. The experience has not only helped me learn how to operate in a university lab but see firsthand the complex beauty of nature, all the way down to algal photoreceptors.

Outside the classrooms and labs, Gatton is more of a community than a school. The weekend movie screenings in the Den. Trips down to the recreational center with friends to exercise and de-stress. Helping each other through Calculus problem sets and computer science assignments. Through my junior year, I have been heavily involved in Party Club, a space for political discussion and debate, and our Envirothon team, learning about Kentucky’s wildlife, soil, and environmental issues. Under Gatton’s roof, there’s a group for everyone.

Coming up this summer, I am participating in one of the Academy’s Study Abroad programs, another thing that sets Gatton apart from most schools. To be receiving one of my English credits, I’m hopping across the “Pond” with around 50 of my classmates to visit England for three weeks and immerse myself in the worlds of Brontë, Austen, and Shakespeare. This is my first study abroad experience and I am excited for the trip of a lifetime. Overall, my first year at Gatton has been everything I hoped it to be and I can’t wait to have one more year with my fellow seniors and share it with the new juniors.

Lorenzo

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: EJ Fields

July 10, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, EJ Fields | No Comments

Hi, everyone! My name is EJ Fields, and I am very excited to be a senior this year! I’m from Hazard, Kentucky, a small town of about 5,000 in Perry County.

Before coming to Gatton, I attended Hazard High School. I heard about Gatton in seventh grade from some friends thinking about applying, and it sounded like a perfect fit for me. I made it a personal goal of mine to gain admission, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Thus far, my academic and personal experiences at Gatton have been phenomenal and highly memorable. My time here has been one of immense growth. In the classroom, I have spent time taking on rigorous courses that align with my interests and others that have exposed me to new ways of solving problems, in and outside of the classroom. In my personal life, some fundamental beliefs I rarely questioned have been challenged in new and exciting ways I never thought possible.

I took part in the Genome Discovery and Exploration Program during my junior year, which gave me my first taste of research. During my time in the Genome Program, I discovered a novel microbacteriophage, a small virus particle that infects bacteria, and acquired valuable skills, including keeping proper laboratory journals and working with microscopic organisms. Genome also helped orient me in terms of what I wanted out of a research program and what I liked and didn’t like about certain kinds of research.

During my first semester, Cheryl, Gatton’s Academic Opportunities Coordinator, sent out an email notifying all juniors of a research opportunity in Barrow, Alaska, with Dr. Noah Ashley and Dr. Melanie Richter studying the circadian rhythms of two species of migratory songbird, the Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur. I was immediately intrigued, as circadian rhythms had always interested me, and going to Alaska had always been a dream of mine. I applied and was fortunate enough to be one of two juniors selected to accompany Drs. Ashley and Richter for the summer field season. I had a wonderful time contributing to the research and loved every minute of it. It was also fascinating to be able to witness Nalukataq, the traditional Iñupiat festival that marks the end of a successful whaling trip. After this amazing experience, I plan to pursue further research opportunities in Dr. Ashley’s lab this year.

Aside from classes and research, another valuable experience during my junior year was study abroad. Over winter break, I participated in Gatton’s Costa Rica program with Dr. Martin Stone. While there, we patrolled the beaches of Playa Grande on the hunt for nesting sea turtles, hiked in the Talamanca Mountains pursuing research projects, my personal favorite, and experienced rustic resort life and the natural beauty of Corcovado National Park at Poor Man’s Paradise. This experience was amazing and eye-opening for me. It was a trip of many travel firsts for me, as I had never been on a plane, let alone out of the country, before Costa, and I wouldn’t trade the experience I had there for anything.

All in all, my experience at Gatton thus far has been extremely rewarding, and I’m very excited to make many more memories this year and to serve as an Avatar, but not the kind from a certain television show and subsequent M. Night Shyamalan live action adaptation.

EJ

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: Jack McCoun

July 10, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Jack McCoun | No Comments

What’s the best way to introduce myself? A good ole’ “Hey everyone!” or maybe something funny like the Beyoncé I’m listening to right now? I don’t know. I guess I’ll go with just something tried and true. Hi! My name is Jack McCoun and I will be serving as a Gatton Academy avatar for the 2019-2020 school year. I am from northern Kentucky, specifically Henry County. My sending school, or home high school, is Henry County High School. I come from a family of five and am the youngest of my siblings. Together, we all farm our 300-acre land in Smithfield.

Honestly, I didn’t know about Gatton until my freshman year. The day that I toured the academy I had never thought about gifted education due to the inability to obtain one at home. The trip inspired me to pursue my academics further, as I now had an opportunity that would grant me the abilities to fulfill my interests. I took both Geometry and Algebra II at the same time just so that I could meet the requirements of the Academy, along with studying the ACT for a higher score. It took me forever to complete the application; I was so nervous that I spent many hours making sure everything was right. By the end of my sophomore year, I was accepted in to Gatton and the rest is history.

So far my time at the Academy has been great! I study Mandarin Chinese through Gatton’s STEM + Critical Language track, and will be in my third semester of the course this following school year. With this opportunity, I have been able to learn more about cultures outside of our own and view the world in a different perspective rather than the lens of American culture I have always known. This has led me to be a much more open person to new things. Also, I have been an active participant in WKU’s Chinese club, and have presented at the Chinese Spring Symposium. These experiences have allowed me to put my language to use and join with others who share the same passion as me.

In addition to Chinese, I have enrolled in several clubs across Gatton, including Y-Club, Yearbook Club, and the Animal Shelter Club. Each have allowed me to join in our community and form close relationships with my peers and in the family that Gatton holds. I feel that clubs are an important part of any school, especially Gatton, as they bring together students and bolster the community.

I’m still trying to find what my current dream job will be. I have so many things in mind that it can be hard to choose just one. This has never been a problem at Gatton though, as I have always felt encouraged to try new things and see what I like best. One of the things I enjoy about the Academy is the staff’s willingness to help you in achieving your dreams, even if you don’t know what that dream is.

Another opportunity Gatton has given me is the ability to travel safely and efficiently. In about a week I will be leaving the country with forty-nine other Gatton Academy students, with the destination of England. There we will spend three weeks studying and absorbing the rich literature that the country holds. By the end of the trip we will have received our English 200 credit, along with ever lasting memories of friends going study abroad.

I am so excited to experience and share my last year of Gatton with you so that you may be inspired to join our huge Gatton family. Until next time!

Your avatar and friend,

Jack

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: Usman Salim

July 9, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Usman Salim | No Comments

Hi! My name is Usman Salim and I am absolutely stoked to serve as an Avatar for my senior year! (It’s not quite the same as bending all four elements, but this job is still really cool!) I am a first-generation Pakistani-American from Laurel County; specifically, London, Kentucky.

At my sending school, North Laurel High School (go Jags!), I had fallen into a boring routine: school, after-school extracurriculars, tennis practice, homework, Netflix, sleep. Needless to say, coming to Gatton was a much-needed and very exciting change of pace. I was lucky enough to have had a sibling attend Gatton in the past, so I knew a lot about the program before starting here, but nothing could’ve fully prepared me for what would become a life-changing experience.

When I first arrived at Florence Schneider Hall in August of 2018, I wanted to hit the ground running. I wanted to find research that I would enjoy while also pertaining to my favored STEM field of Biology. Thus, I joined a lab of genetics research under Dr. Srivastava of the Biology Department, and I’ve been fortunate enough to keep pursuing this research even into the summer as a result of receiving a Gatton Research Internship Grant. This is part of why I think Gatton is so special: the insanely huge array of opportunities and paths to choose from.

Aside from research, I love being involved in the Gatton community. Thus, I take part in multiple clubs, such as: Student Y, Boys and Girls Club, (political) Party Club, Gatton Academy Medical Association, and Bollywood Movie Club.

Gatton is definitely a challenge, and my first year here certainly had its ups and downs, but I love the experience, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what this next year has in store for us all.

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: Sarah Pedersen

July 9, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Sarah Pedersen | No Comments

Hi everyone! I am Sarah Pedersen, a rising senior from Barbourville, Kentucky. I have known about the Gatton Academy since 2014, the year my two older sisters were accepted. I was only in sixth grade, but Gatton instantly hooked me. My sisters told me all about their new friends, computer science projects, and–most importantly–how much Chick-fil-a you can buy for one meal swipe. However, nothing they said could have prepared me for the real Gatton experience.

Prior to attending Gatton, I knew I was interested in the STEM+ Chinese program. My mother was born in Hong Kong, and I figured learning Mandarin could be useful, even if I did not use it in my future career, at least I could talk to my grandparents in another language. My STEM+ classes quickly unearthed a genuine passion for Chinese language and culture. As I am writing this blog post, I am currently in a Starbucks in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It sounds crazy, but I am living in Kaohsiung for the next six weeks as a part of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). The NSLI-Y scholarship is sponsored by the United States Department of State to send American high school students to foreign countries to learn critical languages. Without Gatton, I would not be learning Mandarin, and I most definitely would not have known about an opportunity like NSLI-Y.

Before starting my junior year, I believed I was a chemistry person. My sisters love chemistry, and I believed everything they enjoyed I would enjoy too. However, very early on into CHEM-120, I realized I was NOT a chemistry person; rather, I found myself interested in mathematics. Taking Calculus I with Dr. Claus Ernst showed me that math goes beyond simple calculations and formulas. This class inspired me to pursue a mathematics-based research project. I found my fit with Dr. Ferhan Atici, researching mathematical models for tumor growth in mice using discrete calculus.

Outside of academics, Gatton has a plethora of extracurricular activities. At my sending school, I was heavily involved in Student Y, and that has not ceased at Gatton. This year, we took a full delegation to the Kentucky Youth Assembly, and I was able to continue my interest in mock court cases as a part of the Judicial Program. Furthermore, not all clubs have to be extra “work.” I found that Film Club, occurring every Saturday night, is an amazing time to just sit back, relax, and take a break from a busy Gatton schedule!

In only one year, Gatton has transformed my life. I cannot wait to see the ways in which I, my classmates, and the incoming juniors grow this upcoming year!

Sarah

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: Kelsey Littrell

July 9, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Kelsey Littrell | 4 Comments

Hey guys! My name is Kelsey Littrell, and I’m a senior and Avatar at Gatton this year. A little about my hometown, if you look at the far western corner of Kentucky (yes, farther than WKU—we exist, trust me), you’ll find a little county that looks almost like a pizza slice. That’s where I’m from—Marshall County. We’re most distinguishable by our thick country accents, although if you mention it, we’ll claim we don’t have one. I first heard about Gatton in seventh grade when Zack Ryle himself came to my middle school and gave a presentation over it, like he may have done for some of you. I immediately fell in love with it, and attending Gatton then become my dream—a dream that is now a reality.

My journey at Gatton thus far has been an amazing experience. Gatton is where you discover who you truly are. I’ve taken some exciting courses, my favorite of which is Genome. Participating in Genome, a course that begins with simple digging in the soil and results in the discovery and characterization of bacteriophages, allowed me to discover my love of research, something I was never able to experience previously. I was also able to present this research at the WKU Student Research Conference, which was a really neat experience. My second semester, I was able to take the bioinformatics portion of the Genome course, in which we learned about the bioinformatics systems and then conducted our own research using these tools based on a question we came up with ourselves.

Outside of classes, I participate in Gatton’s Student Y Chapter and GAMA (Gatton Academy Medical Association). I was also able to participate in the Future Healthcare Professionals program (FHP) during my first semester, which I really enjoyed. In my free time, I like to hang with Daisy, the Gatton dog, and participate in the weekend activities. When home, I enjoy shooting archery and fishing.

Since being at Gatton, I was given the opportunity to travel abroad to Costa Rica studying Costa Rican biodiversity over winter term. Having never been out of the country before, this was an amazing experience for me. From watching sea turtles hatch at the beach to researching the abundance and diversity of bromeliads in the rainforest, it was an experience I will never forget.

Gatton is not all about taking rigorous college courses. It’s where you meet friends that will last a lifetime. It’s where you learn not to take 8 AMs when you like to stay up late. It’s where you truly grow as a person. I remember scouring Gatton’s home page before I even applied, reading everything and imagining myself being there, which you may be doing right now. Being at Gatton has beyond exceeded anything I could ever have imagined. I’ve learned a lot over the past two semesters, and I cannot wait for the next two to begin.

Kelsey

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: Saee Patwardhan

July 8, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Saee Patwardhan | No Comments

Hey there! This is Saee Patwardhan dropping in to tell you a little bit about myself. I am extremely excited to be going into my last year of high school. While I eagerly look forward to entering my senior year at Gatton, I will give you some insight on my past. My family and I immigrated to the US from India when I was only 3 years old. As a little kid growing up in a brand new country, everything grabbed my attention and fascinated me. When I was in middle school, I attended SCATS, a summer camp at WKU. This is where I first heard about The Gatton Academy. I remember talking my mom’s ears off in the car on the way home– telling her about this amazing high school and how it was right up my alley. When my sophomore year finally rolled around, I filled out the application and, fortunately, my dream became a reality when I was accepted.

Before coming to Gatton, I attended North Oldham High School in Oldham County. While Oldham County is known for its excellent school systems, I just didn’t find the content to be challenging or stimulating enough for me. Luckily, the courses at Gatton provided me with the perfect amount of difficulty to allow me to grow and push myself. Taking computer science courses, like CS and CPS, during my first year definitely broadened my horizons of the STEM field. While I didn’t conduct research this past year, I plan to begin a biology-based research project during my senior year.

My junior year exceeded my expectations, and one of my favorite moments was my study abroad trip to Greece. This was a 10-day trip during winter break where 6 other girls and I toured Greece together, looking at its unique history and architecture. The country was absolutely beautiful and I would love to revisit it one day. During my senior year I would like to participate in another study abroad trip, such as Costa Rica or Italy.

Outside of academics, I really enjoy cooking and playing music. On the days when I’m home, you can catch me baking and cooking up different dishes. While I’m just an amateur, I can play my guitar for hours on end. On top of guitar, I have always loved the arts. During middle school and high school, I was in the NOHS Color Guard where we spun flags, rifles, and danced for the duration of an entire marching band show. One of my favorite activities is singing—my roommate can definitely attest to my constant humming and whisper-singing 24/7.

I cannot wait to make more memories as a senior. It feels like just yesterday that I was a little freshman walking into my high school, feeling intimidated by all the upperclassmen. Time flies by so fast, and I plan to make the most of it starting in August. I’m beyond excited to finally be a senior and look forward to being a Gatton Avatar.

Saee

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: Claire Braun

July 8, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Claire Braun | No Comments

Hi everyone! I am Claire Braun and I am a Gatton Academy Avatar for the 2019-2020 school year. My home base is in Union, about 3 hours north of Bowling Green, and I attended Ryle High School. Ever since the sixth grade, going to Gatton was my ultimate goal because my older sister went to Gatton during my sixth and seventh grade years. I thought it was an amazing opportunity and I was so excited to find out that I would be able to have my own experience as a Gatton student. At home, I was in the color guard in my high school marching band for four years, I played clarinet for five years, and I played piano for eleven years. Leaving those activities was very difficult for me, but after a while I realized that I belong at Gatton and truly became part of the Gatton family.

My dream job is to be a psychiatrist. I have always had a passion for helping people, and I want to be able to do that professionally for the rest of my life. I will be in school for what may seem like forever, but I know it will all be worth it, and I am more than willing to go through years of school to be able to do what I want. A common misconception of Gatton is that you must be interested in something like biology or engineering, but that is not the case. First semester, I enrolled into an Introduction to Psychology course so I would be able to get a feel for the course material. I loved the class and truly enjoyed learning and looking up more things to learn when it comes to psychology, and that gave me a foundation to build upon that I would not be able to build upon in regular high school. Gatton is essentially early college, so I am able to take as many college level psychology courses that I am able to before I graduate high school. I am also getting many general education courses under my belt so I am able to go full force in psychology once I reach college. The Gatton Academy coursework, while difficult at times, pays off tremendously in the end.

In all of my years of schooling, I felt like I was trapped in a box and I wasn’t able to be myself or do anything I wanted to do. My counselor described it as “gifted kid syndrome” because I would talk to her about how slow my classes are and how miserable I was taking them. She told me that applying to Gatton would be perfect for me, and I went through the entire application and selection process with her by my side. She was 100% correct, Gatton is my happy place. I found my people, I am able to push myself academically, and I have so many opportunities such as research in my choice field, which I am planning on getting into within the next year, and study abroad.

You may be reading this and thinking, “What am I getting myself into?” or “What am I going to send my child away to?”, but it is absolutely nothing to worry about. Gatton isn’t exactly like college, it is more like a perfect mix of independence and still having guidance. You still live on campus and take classes with other college kids, but the staff at Gatton has given me overwhelming support and guidance throughout all of my experiences, whether they be emotional or academic, that I most likely will not have in real college, at least not nearly as much. In the end, it all comes down to the fact that The Gatton Academy is truly a family and I have finally been able to find a greater passion in schoolwork. Just always remember that change is good, and change is necessary to grow. I have grown immensely in the past year and cannot wait to grow even more.

If you are considering Gatton, about to come to Gatton, or currently attending Gatton, I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors and I can’t wait to talk to you again!

Claire

By Gatton Academy

2019-2020 Avatar: Michael Givens

July 8, 2019 | 2019-2020, Avatars, Michael Givens | 2 Comments

Hi! My name is Michael Givens, I am a rising senior at The Gatton Academy and have recently been named a Gatton Academy Avatar! While I want to tell you all about my Gatton experience, I need to start with my hometown. I have two siblings, a sister in graduate school and a brother who is a rising sophomore at Western Kentucky University. I am from Green County and live in the tiny town of Greensburg. Whenever people ask me where that is, I have no answer for them. It’s just that small. Those who have heard of Green County know it as the home of “Cow Days”, a three-day festival to celebrate agriculture in the local area. I know it sounds strange but only a small town, tight-knit community could pull it off and claim it as a calling card.

I first heard about The Gatton Academy in seventh grade through the Duke TIP Program. I quickly shrugged it off as “nerd school for people who couldn’t make it in regular high school.” I kept that notion with me until freshman year when the thought of it resurfaced and I became hooked. After a year of talking about it nonstop, I finally got the opportunity to apply and did it instantly. I was lucky enough to be accepted as the first student from Green County and then began this amazing journey!

My experience thus far has been nothing short of life-changing. Not only have I been given the opportunity to live and take classes on a college campus, but I have also met the most amazing people. This semester (what will be my third), I am looking forward to the GROWeek and Halloween dances and helping the juniors learn about Academy life. Academically, I am taking two of the required Biology courses, Calculus II and a very exciting International Business class.

I participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities, both academic and community focused. Some of these include DECA, BETA, Boys and Girls Club, and Business Without Borders. I am also a proud member of Gatton’s first ever intermural basketball team to have a winning season: “Florence Schneider Ball.”

Outside of classes, I am engaged in research with Dr. Coder of WKU’s Department of Management. My research consists of finding a correlation between one’s job interest, skill, and satisfaction. I just completed my summer Research Internship Grant where I received a grant to stay on campus for 8 weeks of the summer to continue my research. We were recently awarded a FUSE grant and plan to present in February of 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

On July 8^th, I leave for Berlin and then will meet the rest of my class on July 17^th in London to begin our Harlaxton study abroad trip! We are all super excited for this experience and cannot wait to be exploring London and the surrounding areas. After returning from the trip, I will relax for about two weeks before move-in day.

Gatton has been an extraordinary experience that I cannot wait to continue and help others begin. Bring it on senior year!

Michael

By Gatton Academy

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Category: 2019-2020