Avatars – Page 2 – The Gatton Academy News

Costa Rica: Sea Turtles, Hammocks, and Gallo Pinto

December 7, 2023 | Lyla Wood, Study Abroad | No Comments

My first time on an airplane landed me in Liberia, the largest city in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. We only spent a couple days there, but they were unforgettable. Releasing baby sea turtles back into the ocean at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station was like a scene straight out of a movie. My roommate and I patrolled 8 miles of beach with the researchers at Playa Grande, scanning the sands for turtle eggs. We enjoyed gallo pinto (Costa Rican beans and rice) at Kike’s and listened to our peers give presentations on various organisms and cultural facets of Costa Rica.

Our next stop was Cloudbridge, which instantly became my favorite place in the entire world. A private nature reserve in the Talamanca mountains, the entrance of Cloudbridge sits at an elevation of 5500 feet. Here, I was assigned to my research group, which consisted of 4 students, Cheryl, Dr. Martin Stone, and his wonderful wife Jolene. Our project was Herbaceous Biodiversity in Aging Cloud Forests. We spent hours outside, counting plants and hiking mountains. When we weren’t surveying plots of land, we were shopping in San Isidro, petting Gato (the local restaurant cat), or drinking Costa Rican coffee. We presented our research at the Cloudbridge Symposium and departed for Poor Man’s Paradise.

After days of aching legs and mountain hikes, falling into a hammock and doing yoga on our balcony was a welcome reprieve. Poor Man’s Paradise is aptly named (it really is a paradise!). Every night, we drank a different type of fruit juice and spent hours at the beach. We snorkeled at Isla del Caño and toured Parque Nacional Corcovado, catching glimpses of tapirs and sharks. At one point, I fell asleep on the boat ride over, jolting awake to a breathtaking ocean view.

Our return to the United States was bittersweet, and I had never been more exhausted. Now, I always have an easy answer to the question: “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?”

By Gatton Academy

OPINION: Gatton Dining, Ranked

November 27, 2023 | Femi Obielodan, Uncategorized | No Comments

Introduction

I, along with members of First Floor North 2023, ranked the top ten places to eat on campus as a Gatton student. WKU’s twenty-two dining options (and El Maz) were narrowed down to what we decided were the best twelve. The top options were then ranked based on their overall score out of thirty. The scores were voted on by the floor and decided through majority rule (I personally chose the order for any ties).

Scoring

The scores for each dining option were broken down into four categories of varying weight. Below is a list of each category along with a brief description of what it represents and (in parenthesis) how many points the category contributes to the overall score. It is worth noting that food restrictions were not heavily taken into consideration when assigning scores.

Value Meal Score (10) – This category considers the amount of food given per meal swipe as well as the taste of each option’s value meals.
Convenience Score (5) – This category considers a dining option’s wait times, relative location, transition times, and use of Dining Sidekick.
Service Score (10) – This category considers the attitude and skill of the employees.
Quality Score (5) – This category considers a dining option’s overall quality including food off the value meal.

HM) Fresh Food Company

Fresh ranks just outside the top ten as an honorable mention. While one meal swipe can get someone as much food as they want, the actual food you’re receiving can range from good (the breakfast) to mediocre (the tilapia). In terms of convenience, Fresh’s biggest strength is its early opening times; however, it loses points for its long transition times.

Value Meal Score – 5
Convenience Score – 3
Service Score – 5
Quality Score – 1
Overall – 14/30

HM) Moe’s Southwest Grill

Once considered a premier spot to eat on campus, Moe’s has fallen from grace. With their value meals, you can expect a filling and delicious meal (especially if you pick the bowl). However, Moe’s is arguably the most inconvenient dining option on campus. Theoretically, being located at the Commons should help its Convenience Score but its wait times completely negate this. Despite being solely on Dining Sidekick, you can still expect to wait around two hours before getting your food. If you plan to order after 10:30 AM, forget it, by the time they would be preparing your order Moe’s would be closed. And why on earth is there an employee whose only job is to fill bags with chips! All this said, it’s undeniable that Moe’s has good-tasting food.

Value Meal Score – 8
Convenience Score – 0
Service Score – 2
Quality Score – 4
Overall – 14/30

10) Spencer’s Coffee

At the number ten spot, we have one of WKU’s coffee shops, Spencer’s. Like every coffee shop on campus, Spencer’s has no value meals. Being in The Commons, Spencer’s isn’t a far walk from Florence Schneider. The only knock on its convenience is the massive lines filled with caffeine addicts during the morning and earlier afternoon. According to some of their regulars, Spencer’s workers, as a collective, might be the kindest employees on campus. In terms of coffee and tea, many claim that it is the best on campus; and while I personally prefer Java City’s, the hot chocolate at Spencer’s is also top-tier.

Value Meal Score – 0
Convenience Score – 3
Service Score – 10
Quality Score – 4
Overall – 17/30

9) Road Trip America

Road Trip claims our ninth spot. Due to its biscuits and array of sides, Road Trip’s Value Meal Score is slightly above average; similarly, Road Trip maintains an average amount of convenience. The service here isn’t terrible by any means, but at times the employees lose focus which slows down the assembly line. Unfortunately, the overall quality of Road Trip’s food is not great, as the best thing on the menu is the biscuits.

Value Meal Score – 7
Convenience Score – 3
Service Score – 7
Quality Score – 2
Overall – 19/30

8) Subway

Subway, the cult classic of WKU restaurants, takes our number eight spot. While there is nothing special about how their value meals’ taste, in terms of food per meal swipe, Subway is one of the best options. For two swipes you can get a foot-long, large drink, and two sides. Subway’s value meal also has the best fountain drink on campus (the vitamin water). Moreover, Subway is one of the most convenient spots on campus. Subway is closer to Gatton than a lot of other restaurants and it has the latest closing times. Subway’s score struggles greatly due to its service. At times, it feels as if the workers are purposely trying to mess up your sandwich. The only reason that Subway’s Service Score is this high is because, on the rare occasion that they have a “perfect lineup”, Subway can turn into an absolute machine. Also, some of the workers can be chill. As for the food off the value meal, you can’t really complain. You do make the sandwich after all.

Value Meal Score – 8
Convenience Score – 4
Service Score – 6
Quality Score – 3
Overall – 21/30

7) The Spread

Our seventh spot is occupied by campus’s best sandwich spot, The Spread. This restaurant arguably has WKU’s best value meal options. The sandwiches make my mouth water, and you get even more food than at Subway. However, the only restaurant farther away from Gatton than the Spread is the Den by Denny’s. The Spread tries to make up for this by being solely on Dining Sidekick, but the restaurant will often delay your order multiple times. Additionally, being on Dining Sidekick means you don’t really interact with the employees, so there’s really nothing to say about their service one way or another. Still, whenever it’s suggested, I never pass on The Spread because all the food is just that good.

Value Meal Score – 10
Convenience Score – 0
Service Score – 6
Quality Score – 5
Overall – 21/30

6) Hilltopper Hub

Hilltopper, the better dining hall at WKU, is at our sixth spot. Just like Fresh, Hilltopper is buffet-style; and Hilltopper has food that you consistently want to eat. Despite being the closest dining option to Florence Schneider, Hilltopper loses some points in convenience due to its transition times, though not as long as Fresh’s. Furthermore, the employees at Hilltopper are quite enjoyable. They always have their card scanner ready to go; additionally, there are some employees that will make you an active participant in their life (if you know you know). The overall quality of Hilltopper’s food is just average but remember this is only a college dining hall.

Value Meal Score – 7
Convenience Score – 4
Service Score – 8
Quality Score – 3
Overall – 22/30

5) P.O.D Market

The biggest surprise on this list and barely making the top five is POD. I will not lie POD does not have the best value meals in terms of taste or amount; its saving grace is that it has the most drink options and they come in bottles. However, you can’t get more convenient than a literal convenience store. POD is at a prime location and takes only as long as you make it. Furthermore, POD workers are good at their job. They never make a transaction longer than it needs to be. While the food on their value meal is the definition of mid, the overall quality is nearly unmatched. For goodness sakes, we’re talking about a convenience store. You want ice cream, they got it! You want Red Bull, they got it! You want a toothbrush, they got it! There’s a reason Gatton students lose the majority of their meal plan dollars here.

Value Meal Score – 6
Convenience Score – 5
Service Score – 7
Quality Score – 5
Overall – 23/30

4) Panda Express

Panda Express is just outside the top three. Panda has also had above average value meals; but recently, they have elevated their choices with the addition of their meal swipe of the week. This was a much-needed increase in diversity, and now their most popular entrée, the orange chicken, is available for a meal swipe around once a month. It’s not uncommon for Panda to have long lines but they move quickly so it is not really an inconvenience. While the workers are nice people who work efficiently, the way they portion the food is unacceptable. There is no reason that my bowl should be ninety percent rice, nine percent vegetables, and one percent meat. The food is still gas though, and you never have to question why you’re spending meal plan dollars for options off the value meal.

Value Meal Score – 9
Convenience Score – 3
Service Score – 6
Quality Score – 5
Overall – 23/30

3) DaVinci’s

Taking the bronze, our third-place pick is DaVinci’s. While it’s not the most food, DaVinci’s value meal has some good quality pizzas. I have also heard good things about their sandwich meal swipe; conversely, I hear their oatmeal is diabolical and their muffin meal swipe is a borderline scam. While DaVinci’s is rather far from Gatton, it is also the only restaurant on that side of campus. By far their biggest strength is their customer service. While most of their employees hover just around average, DaVinci’s has the single best dining employee on campus. This worker knows nearly everyone’s names and even some of the regulars’ orders. They have a special gift to make people feel appreciated. Unfortunately, Davinci’s overall quality varies.

Value Meal Score – 7
Convenience Score – 4
Service Score – 10
Quality Score – 3
Overall – 24/30

2) Chick-fil-A

Our list’s runner-up is the one and only Chick-fil-A. There aren’t too many holes that you can poke at their value meals. The food is exactly what you would expect from Chick-fil-A: delicious and filling. In reality, the only problem with their value meal is the fruit cup option, because they never fail to run out of it. In spite of how long their lines can become, I’m always surprised by how fast you get through them. Even when they only have one cashier, the line moves at a reasonable pace. Considering this is a Chick-fil-A, it should be no surprise that the service is top-notch. As a collective, the workers operate in a way that meets the high standards of their establishment. There are even certain workers that exceed the already high expectations. However, they do lose points due to a small minority of workers having constant bad days. When you eat at Chick-fil-A, you can expect nothing less than that guaranteed Chick-fil-A quality.

Value Meal Score – 8
Convenience Score – 4
Service Score – 9
Quality Score – 4
Overall – 25/30

1) Eiffel Pizza

And the title of the best place to eat on campus goes to Eiffel Pizza. As recently as a semester ago, Eiffel Pizza was not even scratching the top ten; however, the changes they’ve made to their value meals have spear headed their campaign. Not only has there been an increase in the diversity but also the caliber of pizza served for a meal swipe. Additionally, Eiffel’s new Smash Burger might be the best value meal inside of The Commons and easily the best burger on campus. Even with everything that has already been said, the value meal’s biggest strength is the sheer quantity of food you can get. For two meal swipes, you can get five wings, a burger, fries, a pizza slice, and three drinks. Eiffel Pizza also has underrated convenience. There has never been a time where I left their line due to a perceived wait time. Similarly, their service is no joke. Once you order, they get straight to work; there is also the added bonus that they are the only employees who ask if you’d like ice. The only real blemish on their service is that sometimes they struggle to fully understand the modifications you’re requesting on your burger, but they have even been improving in this area. Eiffel Pizza is a remarkable example of a glow-up. I used to just tolerate their food, but now, I gladly partake in and recommend it.

Value Meal Score – 9
Convenience Score – 5
Service Score – 8
Quality Score – 4
Overall – 26/30

*Portions of this blog post have been edited for brevity. This post was written in the academic year 2022-2023 and does not reflect the new WKU meal plans as of Summer 2023.

By Gatton Academy

Research at Gatton

August 16, 2023 | Tasha Otieno | No Comments

One of the ways Gatton stands out from typical high schools is through the various research opportunities offered. Gatton promotes research participation so students can explore their interests, meet new faculty and mentors, gain experience in a lab, and connect with peers in their field.

The various ways a student can participate in research include:

Western Kentucky University (WKU) Research: There are many research opportunities available just by being a part of Gatton. Since we are dually enrolled as high schoolers as well as WKU students, we have access to the same undergraduate research projects that typical WKU students have. We have the opportunity to be a part of faculty-led research projects in many different areas like agriculture, business, biology, chemistry, technology, psychology, communication, nursing, math, public health, etc.

Research Internship Grant (RIG): If you are unable to find research in your area of interest at WKU, RIG is a good way to participate in research at other institutions and organizations. Students already connected with WKU research can continue that over the summer through a RIG as well. RIG is a grant given to Gatton students who want to pursue research internships in the summer at WKU or other universities around the United States. Recently, Gatton students have conducted research at universities like Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Purdue University, University of Kentucky, Indiana University, University of Lousiville, Brown University, etc.

The Genome Discovery and Exploration Program (GDEP): The GDEP program is a two-semester commitment to undergraduate research during your junior year at Gatton. Students get the chance to participate in a hands-on research project both inside and outside of the classroom. Students explore different topics in biology and chemistry ranging from genetics and microbiology to biotechnology and ecology. I was a participant in this program when I first came to Gatton. It not only helped me learn basic lab techniques and gain research experience, but it opened up the doors for the future research opportunities I would get to be a part of.

Summer Research Opportunities: There are a lot of research programs available for both high schoolers and college students in the summer. As a Gatton student, you qualify for both of these programs. There are college institutions that have structured programs where high schoolers can conduct summer research or take summer courses like MIT’s Minority Introduction for Engineering and Science (MITES ) program or Aspirnaut’s Summer Internship Program for Highschoolers. Gatton students are able to apply for these programs and also undergraduate research programs as well like Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs.

Now the big question of how to get involved in these research opportunities. While it varies depending on circumstances and programs, there are a few tips I learned during my time here:

REACH OUT: I cannot stress this enough, if anything interests you, take the time to reach out to these programs/organizations/faculty to show them you are interested. This is a good way to see if they have open spots in their labs, if they are full, or be on their radar when they have an opening. This is also your chance to explain your career goals, interests, planned major, etc, and learn more about their projects. For summer research programs, I suggest applying even if you don’t think you’re qualified. You’ll miss out on many opportunities if you don’t try.
Use your resources: There are many opportunities for summer research and Gatton has staff here to help you find and get these opportunities. Our Assistant Director of Academic Services, Sam Earls, can help you find WKU research during the school year. Our Academic Opportunities Coordinator, Cheryl Kirby-Stokes, has composed a list of over 150 summer programs, internships, and research projects to help you find a good fit for you. Some of these programs require applications; others require resumes and interviews. The staff here are happy to help with reviewing essays and resumes, narrowing down your search based on your interests, and conducting mock interviews. All you have to do is reach out!
Do your own research: If you know you are interested in something or want to explore something in a specific area, you can look on WKU’s faculty page to see what research different professors are a part of. This is a good way to familiarize yourself with different projects here at WKU and see what’s out there. Once you find a few projects/areas that you like, reach out to let them know you’re interested. For external programs, read the requirements to make sure your qualify. Some programs have an age requirement, some have course requirements, and some have past research requirements. You can save a lot of time if you know this before applying. Looking at past research projects for specific programs can also help you determine if it is something you are interested in.

All in all, research is a great way to get involved in whatever area you are interested in. There are plenty of opportunities available if this is something you choose to do!

By Gatton Academy

Keeping Up with Soccer: How to Get Involved in Sports

June 26, 2023 | Aubrey Morse | No Comments

When you come to Gatton there are certain things you must leave behind, KHSAA sports being one of them. This can be hard for many people – including myself. However, there are many ways to still get involved in sports while at Gatton.

I play soccer and I do not remember a time in my life when I was not a part of the sport. It is a huge part of my life and has been for so many years. I did not know how I would be able to give it up. That’s when I learned very helpful information I want to share today: There are plenty of opportunities to continue soccer, and other sports, while here at Gatton.

The first opportunity is the Gatton Soccer Club. This is a Gatton organization that is for anyone who wants to play, and we meet routinely every Friday night. I have been a part of this for both years here at Gatton and I can say it has helped me continue the sport I love to play. Sometimes we play full 11 vs. 11 games and other times we split off into 8 vs. 8 or 6 vs. 6. It has also been a great way for me to play soccer while also having fun and building community with others from Gatton.

The second activity is intramurals. There are intramurals in both the fall and spring terms for soccer. In the fall term, they have a Futsal league (which is a kind of soccer game played on a basketball court) and during the spring they have intramural soccer at the outdoor intramural fields. In spring 2022, I was able to be on a team of Gatton Soccer Club members, where we were a part of the spring soccer intramurals league. However, you can also do intramurals as an individual. You can register as a filler for teams that might not have enough players and can play with them the whole season.

The third opportunity that is available for Gatton students here is the Western Kentucky University Club soccer teams. If you are looking for more of a high school or competitive club soccer-type activity this is the place to go. These are competitive soccer teams that practice a few times a week on campus. Then a couple of weekends in the semester you will have the opportunity to play other club soccer teams from another university. During my Junior year at Gatton, I was able to participate in this club. It was an environment that felt very similar to the competitive teams I participated in throughout my life.

As you can see, there are many ways you are able to get involved in soccer activities while here at Gatton. You do not have to worry about leaving the sport you love behind at your home high school because there are ample opportunities to continue them while at Gatton as well.

By Gatton Academy

Studying Abroad with Friends at Harlaxton

May 2, 2023 | Nishu Anekere | No Comments

As Gatton students, we have the unique opportunity to study abroad as high schoolers. This past summer, I went on the Harlaxton trip to England. Through this trip, I was able to visit a new country for three weeks while also taking care of a required English credit.

Being able to learn about English literature while in England was better than I could’ve ever imagined! Experiences like reading Shakespeare’s Sonnets one day and then visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace the next day were unforgettable.

The freedom we were given to explore the places we visited, whether we were wandering around Harlaxton Manor or sightseeing in London, was also a breath of fresh air from the traditional rigid structure of school trips.

However, the best part of Harlaxton was traveling with other Gatton students. Since only 50 students are randomly selected for the trip each year, Harlaxton creates a “subsection” of the Gatton community that may not include all your closest friends from Gatton. At Gatton, it can be easy to get caught up in friend groups that only consist of people who are on your floor, in your classes, do the same activities, and so on. As a result, you may never talk to those who don’t fall into one of the aforementioned categories. Harlaxton is a great way to “break out” of these groups and make new friends. The shared experience this small group has of attending class, working on group projects, and visiting new places together means that it becomes very close knit.

While on the trip, I found myself becoming good friends with people I’d never talked to before as we biked through the English countryside, watched The Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and studied for quizzes we had the next day.

Regardless of whether I was with my new or old friends, being surrounded by them while exploring everything England had to offer was what made this trip unique. While I have had great experiences traveling abroad with family, the more casual nature of hanging out with friends like it was just another weekend was something that couldn’t be beaten. Of course, the difference was that instead of going to a local theater to watch a movie, we were going to Shakespeare’s Globe to watch The Tempest!

For those of you going on the Harlaxton trip or another study abroad trip, the following are a few things to keep in mind, so you can have as much fun as I did!

Don’t just stick with the friends you already have! – It can be tempting to only hang out with your best friends on the trip, but be sure to talk to new people as well. Since you’re in a smaller group, you might as well try to get to know as many people as you can.

Plan ahead! – You’ll be given a lot of free time at each of the places you visit on the trip. Figure out where you want to eat or what attractions you want to check out. Then, find other people who are interested in the same places. This can be a great way to meet others who share interests with you.

Branch out! – Don’t be afraid to try new things! You’re in a new country, so you should try to broaden your horizons with the new experiences that are offered. Whether it’s going to a restaurant with food you’ve never had before or going to a museum that may seem boring at first, diving into these new experiences will allow you to find new things you may enjoy and new friends along the way.

By Gatton Academy

Hoop Scholars

April 22, 2023 | Kenyan Wood | 2 Comments

Giving up the option to play high school basketball may have been one of the hardest decisions I had to make in coming to The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. Thankfully, it ended up being of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I have been able to play basketball more than ever.

At the Gatton Academy, during your enrollment, you are not allowed to play KHSAA sports, but this doesn’t mean you have to give up the sport completely. WKU intramural clubs offer a lot of options for sports that people play. These clubs allow you to compete in your sport of choosing and still receive that team experience that you would have had at your sending school.

Since my junior year, I have participated on Gatton’s intramural basketball team by the name of Florence Schneider Ball. Over these 2 years, I have had the ability to get closer with peers around me from Gatton while also playing the sport I love. Even in the games where we lost, it was still a great experience with my friends. The bond has been so strong that even when it is not during intramural season, we still organize to hoop with each other. During this most recent semester, our team made it to the semi-finals of the tournament! It was a close game that went to overtime, but we unfortunately lost by 1, 43-44. Even with the loss, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

As I said previously, even when it isn’t basketball season time, you are still able to play basketball at any time you please. On campus, there is the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center where you can not only play basketball, but also enjoy the fitness center and classes, track, pool, and locker rooms. The center is open every day of the week and certain hours throughout the day, so you can attend any time you are able.

I strongly encourage participating in any club or intramural during your time here, whether it is basketball or not. You not only get enjoyment from the sport or club itself, but also friends that you can bond with outside of your leisure time. I have been able to meet some lifelong friends through the connection of just basketball, and it could be the same for anyone who decides to be a part of the community. I have felt at home, and while I may not be playing high school sports, I have felt as if my urge for it has still been fulfilled while being here. As they say, the possibilities are always endless.

By Gatton Academy

My Favorite Clubs and Student Organizations

April 21, 2023 | Jiali Graham | No Comments

A lot of students I know were active in their sending school’s clubs and activities, and one big hesitancy for possible Gatton students can be whether they can continue to participate in clubs and activities. Well, I’m here to lessen some of your worries with a list of some of my favorite clubs and student organizations at Gatton (in no particular order)!

For reference, Gatton has over thirty clubs and student organizations with more to come, as any student can create their own club if it doesn’t already exist! The only difference between a club and a student organization is that a club is staff sponsored and a student organization is entirely student-led.

In addition, as Gatton students, we are also WKU students. So, we can join any organization on WKU. I’ve gone to a few AASA (Asian American Student Association) meetings. A few people I know are also a part of WKU’s Fencing Club, so you’ll find at least one club that intrigues you! Anyways, onto my list:

Student Y

This club participates in the KYA (Kentucky Youth Assembly) and KUNA (Kentucky United Nations Assembly) state conferences. KYA discusses issues in Kentucky and allows students to debate on bills that other students present. In addition, they have their own Media Corp, Supreme Court, Cabinet, and Lobbyists that all dive into the state’s government. KUNA discusses international issues, with each school representing a country and its views. Students will debate on resolutions that other students present. Similarly, they have their own special programs such as Media Corp, International Court of Justice, Security Council, Secretariat, and Non-Governmental Organization Representative that explore different aspects of international government. Both conferences also give students the opportunity to run as candidates to be heads of next year’s conference!

I have been a part of Student Y since sixth grade and joining Gatton’s delegation has been one of my favorite opportunities. Not only has it allowed me to continue my Y-journey, but it’s given me another group of amazing friends to work with.

International Club

This club explores different countries across the globe! They often have a fun informational presentation about the country’s history and traditions but fear not! You aren’t just listening to a presentation. They often cook that country’s cuisine for you to eat and have a fun activity involving that country’s culture to participate in! Sometimes it’s been a fun game of 1, 2, 3 Pescao (Puerto Rico), third player chase (Austria), Sapo (Peru), or making hanboks (South Korea). On top of it all, if there’s a country you really want to talk about, you can present it!

I’ve been a part of this club for the last two years. I’ve sincerely enjoyed every presentation and learning about all of the countries. We had a lot of laughs, good food, and played fun games. If you enjoy the Bowling Green International Festival, which hosts booths for dozens of different countries, I really think you’ll love this.

Paint Club

It’s exactly what the name sounds like, you paint. Much of the time is spent on freestyle painting on canvas. A lot of students take this club as a time to relax and wind down after a day of classes, and it can be much more than just typical acrylic paint. As one of the current presidents of Paint Club, I have never once painted on a canvas during my club hours. Instead, I often have my iPad and Apple Pencil out working on a digital painting! Other students have also brought in converse, rocks, or anything with a surface to paint. Notably, you do not have to be ‘good’ at art to join this club! We welcome all levels of art (but I’m going to think all of you are excellent artists no matter what).

I’ve only been heavily involved in Paint Club for one year, but already it’s been a lot of fun. We have a lot of great conversations while we relax and seeing everyone’s creations is always exciting!

Science Minded Kids

This club was just founded this year by Oliver Ghrist. He used to teach elementary students about science concepts with cool experiments (like the layers of the earth as layers of pudding), and he’s brought the idea here to Gatton! Members of the club often develop lesson plans or ideas on how to simplify scientific concepts or jobs for the students.

My involvement with this club has been limited, due to my own busy schedule, but every time I’ve gone it’s been a treat. It’s amazing to show kids science at a young age and get them excited! If you enjoy volunteering at the Center for Gifted Studies Super Saturdays, you’ll love this too.

Film Club

The activity is in the name! We watch movies that we voted on earlier in the week. The movie genres often vary, from horror to comedy, or anything in between. The best part of Film Club is bringing in your friends (and maybe some popcorn) to have a relaxing night after classes.

Whenever I can, I make sure to drop in. It can especially help to have a comedy movie after a stressful day or to watch my friends (and me) jump at horror movies.

Computer Science (CS) Club

CS Club is insanely helpful, especially for a junior’s first semester. Often, the club offers tutoring in Java—the language learned in the mandatory CS180 class. Advice from CS Club can also extend to the CPS (Computational Problem Solving) course, which is the mandatory CS/Math class for a junior’s second semester. Beyond tutoring, CS Club also participates in competitive coding. These competitions are not mandatory, but they are an option!

I’ve only attended a few meetings, but I’ve enjoyed their help!

There you have it! Those are some of my favorite clubs at Gatton. However, since I am only one person, I wanted to throw in a few other honorable mentions from other students:

Bible Study
Dungeons and Dragons Club (DND)
Russian Club
Arabic Club
Biology Club
Project Unite

For more clubs, check out: https://www.wku.edu/academy/student_life/student-activities.php

By Gatton Academy

Managing Stress at Gatton

February 8, 2023 | Addie Hoskins, Student Life | No Comments

It’s no secret that attending Gatton can lead to an increase in stressors. We leave home 2 years early, move in with 200 fellow students we may have never met, take challenging classes, set our own schedules, and develop new life skills.

You might be thinking “Wow, Addie. This sounds really hard! What if I can’t handle it all?” I’ll be honest: it is hard. However, Gatton is full of resources to help students adjust to life and manage the stress that follows.

Tips for Managing Stress:

Talk to a friend. Because every student at Gatton must fulfill the STEM curriculum, we often end up taking classes with our friends (or peers who turn into friends over the duration of a class). We can study together, support each other after a difficult test, and encourage each other throughout the semester. This makes our friends a great place to turn to if we are dealing with stress!

Take a break. Sometimes I get so stressed that I think I need to work for hours with no break. However, this is one of the worst things I can do for myself! It’s scientifically proven that studying is more effective if done at intervals with breaks in between. A great strategy to de-stress is taking a break. Maybe this means reading a book, listening to some music, or getting some food. Even 10 minutes can make a difference.

Make an appointment with Pokey or Jamie. Pokey and Jamie are Gatton’s licensed therapists. Even better, they work in our building and are fully aware of the goings-on at Gatton and all that being a student here entails. Maybe you have experience with therapy or maybe it sounds a little scary. Either way, most Gatton students meet with one of our therapists during their time here. There’s no issue, big or small, that they aren’t willing to help students with.

Get active! Physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress. You can get out some excess energy and get a rush of endorphins all in one. Whether this looks like a trip to the gym or a walk around campus, exercise is guaranteed to reduce stress. And hey, it has physical health benefits, too!

Talk to your RC. Residential Counselors or “RCs” are a great place to turn for advice! Maybe you’re dealing with homesickness or arguing with your roommate. Whatever it is, they’ve probably dealt with it before and can provide some helpful advice.

Take a nap. It may sound silly, but a nap can solve a lot of your problems. I’ll admit, even though I try to get consistent sleep, I sometimes fail to get a full 8 hours. Being tired makes it harder to pay attention to lectures, do homework, and regulate emotions. If you find yourself too tired to do homework or a little too irritable to be around people, take a quick nap!

As always, every person is different, meaning every student deals with stress in different ways. I encourage you to find what works for you and consider some of these healthy coping strategies when you find yourself getting anxious or stressed. Remember: you aren’t alone here, and there are plenty of people willing to help if you are willing to ask.

By Gatton Academy

Family Matters

December 7, 2022 | 2022-2023, Avatars, Maria Pfeifer | 1 Comment

One of the challenges of coming to Gatton is staying connected with your family. Every student is different, with different attitudes toward how much they want to communicate with their family. For me, staying close to them was a huge priority.

I was born into a big family, having three older siblings. As I got older, that family grew, and I now have three younger siblings as well. I attribute everything about myself to my family, as they have shaped me into the person I am today.

TIPS FOR STAYING CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY:

Get comfortable sharing about yourself! Whether you see your family in person or are on a phone call with them, you will get the classic, “What have you been up to?” question. Don’t shy away from it! Your family wants to hear from you!

Have the tough conversation(s) with your family. The easiest grounds for frustration come from a lack of communication on how much you want to communicate. Your parents may have their own expectations for communication that may not line up with yours.

Remember the big things…. Your family members will be so touched if you remember birthdays and anniversaries, so be sure to reach out at these times. Bonus points for grandparents.

…and ask about the small things! One of the hardest things about being away from your family is missing out on the small moments. While nothing replaces being with your family for these, make sure to ask about them, whether it be a younger sibling’s soccer game or the puzzle your dad is working on.

Set aside time for your family during closed weekends. Closed weekends are tough. Some Gatton students drive as many as 10 hours in one weekend to get home and back, while others live in Bowling Green. Either way, going home can be draining, so allow yourself a little bit of time to breathe, and then spend time with your family! The impulse is to spend time with our friends, and while that’s important, you’ll be with your family forever.

Be merciful with your younger siblings. There’s nothing like getting home after weeks of being in a new place and sleeping in your own bed for the first time only to be woken up by a five-year-old jumping on top of you. True story. Know that these moments where we find ourselves wanting to rip their heads off are moments to count to ten and smile because we have siblings that want to spend time with us.

Be active in the family group chat, and if you don’t have one, start one! Whether it’s talking about my brother’s garage band, my little sister stealing my mom’s phone to send emojis, or my dad complaining about large diet cokes no longer being $1 at McDonald’s, this group chat has been a huge source of small smiles throughout the day for me. It helps me feel connected to my family, and I know that my older siblings feel the same way.

Small phone calls! Gatton life can be busy, and sometimes it can be easier to take five minutes out of a few days each week to call your family members rather than a whole hour at once. Small phone calls can feel like passing conversations, which I love because it is almost like being back with your family. Walking to class is one of the perfect times to do this.

My older siblings were all able to come home for Labor Day and we got coffee with Gran!

By Gatton Academy

Fall 2020 Finals Week

December 10, 2020 | 2020-2021, Avatars, Mina Ryumae | No Comments

Whew! One semester down, one to go for seniors and three for juniors. This has certainly been a unique semester with all of COVID-19’s changes to Western Kentucky University and students’ daily lives. However, Gatton and WKU faculty handled the situation relatively well and students were still able to have an enjoyable and safe time living on campus.

Every Finals Week can arguably be considered one of the most stressful weeks you will experience at Gatton, but nonetheless, students still find ways to have fun. Typically during Finals Week when students are on campus, WKU does not have any classes so students are often found celebrating “swipe-mas” by spending their remaining meal plans at various campus dining spots and studying through the night with friends. Some students have all of their finals at the beginning of the week and choose to either go home early or enjoy their remaining days on campus, while others have exams throughout the week. It may seem overwhelming at first, but after every exam, a weight is lifted off your back and you can breathe a little easier.

Before you know it, you will be at the end of one more semester and we get to enjoy Winter/Summer break as a reward for all of our hard work.

Due to the Coronavirus, students’ finals week experience this semester has been vastly different than it normally would be. Most students have been home since the start of Thanksgiving break and a few stayed in the Gatton building to finish out the semester. Professors had to make the decision of how they wanted to administer their final exams: in person before Thanksgiving break, fully online without proctoring, or online while students joined a Zoom meeting. I only had three finals to take during Finals Week this semester, so it felt relatively laid-back for me.

Although current juniors still have three more Gatton semesters to enjoy, seniors are saddened by the prospect of officially only having one semester left. However, I anticipate that seniors will make the most of the time we have left together, and it is exciting to see the bright futures that are ahead of all of our students.

Everything wrapped up nicely in a bow just in time for the holidays, and I hope that everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Winter Break!

– Mina Ryumae

By Gatton Academy

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