Keaton Smith, a 2012 graduate of The Gatton Academy of Mathematics & Science in Kentucky, has been awarded an Emerson National Scholarship.
He is among 30 recipient of the scholarship awarded annually to children of Emerson employees. Keaton, of Alexandria, KY, is the son of Robert (Bob) W. Smith, Systems Administrator, at Power Transmission Solutions in Florence, KY.
Winners, selected from among 128 finalists, were announced this week by Michael G. Rohret, Emerson Senior Vice President Human Resources.
Keaton plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, and study computer science.
The winners of the Emerson scholarship receive $2,000 per academic year for four years. Selection is made based on academic performance of the applicants,: Grade point average, class rank, and national test scores. Participation in school activities and community involvement are also considered in the selection process.
Forty-seven students representing 30 counties from across the Commonwealth were recognized during the ceremony in Van Meter Auditorium. The ceremony not only celebrated the significant accomplishments of the program and its graduates over the last two years but also looked toward the infinite possibilities ahead.
Gatton Academy Executive Director Dr. Julia Roberts expressed that the day’s events were both a celebration of the Class of 2012’s personal accomplishments, a starting point toward their work of creating a better Kentucky, and a fitting close to the first chapter in the history of the program.
“Reaching five years marks an important milestone in the history of the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky,” Roberts said. “This fifth graduating class of the Academy brings joy and promise to the Commonwealth. Their interests in STEM and talent for learning at high levels have become evident during their two-year experience at the Gatton Academy.”
Curtlyn Kramer, a graduating senior from Ashland, framed the unique learning environment of the Gatton Academy as a program attuned to the needs of gifted and talented students.
“Each of our experiences has been different, shaped by not only the things we have accomplished, but the people with whom we have shared these experiences along the way,” Kramer said. “At no typical high school is every single student’s achievements so unanimously celebrated, because at no other high school is each student’s struggles so unanimously understood.”
The Honorable John D. Minton Jr., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, delivered the commencement address. Minton, an alumnus of the final graduating class of WKU’s Training School, reminded graduates that they are not the first generation of high school students to claim the WKU campus as their home.
“My high school commencement took place here in Van Meter Auditorium in May 1970,” Minton said. “I cannot tell you how proud I am to have such a prestigious high school return to the WKU campus. We have heard about your outstanding ACT/SAT scores and the success of Gatton graduates in college. So if you don’t mind, we Training School alumni will claim Gatton as the 21st Century iteration of Western’s Training School.”
The major difference is that Gatton Academy students have taken advanced coursework in mathematics, science and other subjects at WKU in fulfillment of high school requirements and the Gatton Academy curriculum. On average, students have each earned more than 70 hours of college credit.
Minton also encouraged students to be engaged citizens.
“As you begin life beyond the Gatton Academy campus, you will discover that your alma mater intends for you to leave here equipped with a literacy of doing, not simply knowing” he said. “Having equipped you with knowledge, Gatton Academy expects of you a life of social and civic service that is active, fulfilling, and socially responsible.”
One quarter of Gatton Academy seniors have been recognized as semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program, an honor which potentially opens the door college scholarship opportunities. In all, 12 members of the Class of 2012 will go on to the next round of the competition.
Over 1.5 million students in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Students are tested in math, critical reasoning, and writing. The 16,000 Semifinalists honored are the highest-scoring entrants in their state and represent less than 1 percent of each state’s high school seniors.
Since the Gatton Academy’s inception in 2007, the Gatton Academy has seen 45 total students named as National Semifinalists.
For these Gatton Academy seniors, it’s a great way to begin their final year of high school even as they focus on the college admissions process ahead. According to Gatton Academy Director Tim Gott, this is just the beginning of a busy—and rewarding—year.
“With this recognition, these students have earned a key that will open tremendous educational opportunities,” Gott said. “We look forward to seeing what these students will accomplish in the days ahead.”
To be considered in the rigorous competition for National Merit Scholarships, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by meeting additional standard and fulfilling several requirements. These include having a record of very high academic performance of college preparatory course work, submitting SAT scores that confirm PSAT performance, and being fully endorsed and recommended by a high school official.
Gatton Academy students honored in the program are recognized through their sending high school. Since students take the qualifying PSAT exam in October of their junior year of high school, much of the preparation stems from learning opportunities during their freshman and sophomore years of high school. The Gatton Academy builds on those experiences to provide students with a robust application and preparation for the SAT, a critical component in becoming a finalist.
“It is an incredible honor to be named a National Merit semifinalist,” Gott said. “These students have demonstrated a level of excellence that very few can claim. Their home schools and the Gatton Academy take great pleasure in working with these young people and being represented so well by their outstanding achievement.”
2012 Gatton Academy National Merit Semifinalists:
Michael Crocker(Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green) Alexandra DeCarlo(South Laurel High School, London) Daniel Dilger(Larry Ryle High School, Union) Logan Eckler(Ludlow High School, Ludlow) Samantha Hawtrey(Larry Ryle High School, Union) Charlotte Humes(Nelson County High School, Bardstown) Tennesse “Tucker” Joyce (Mercer County High School, Harrodsburg) Curtlyn Kramer (Paul G. Blazer High School, Ashland) Lori Lovell(Boone County High School, Florence) Lukas Missik(Boyle County High School, Danville) Holly Morris(Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green) David Sekora(Franklin-Simpson High School, Franklin)
About the National Merit Scholarship Program
Established in 1955, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. NMSC is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions to NMSC are tax deductible by the donor. NMSC conducts the National Merit® Scholarship Program and the National Achievement® Scholarship Program–annual competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships.
Since its founding, NMSC has recognized 2.9 million students and provided over 360,000 scholarships worth more than $1.4 billion. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship® awards, Achievement Scholarship® awards, and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation’s respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders.
For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-2971.
While the Senior Community Leaders moved in a week ago and the new junior students arrived on Sunday, the remaining Gatton Academy seniors were finishing up the last of their summers and preparing for the exciting school year to come. This Wednesday, all the remaining seniors returned and the residence halls are now packed to near capacity.
Many of the returning seniors acted very excited as they arrived in the parking lot of Florence Schneider Hall once again, for their second and last year at the academy. “Although it is bittersweet, I can’t wait to see what the new year brings,” said Annie Wheeler, a senior from Todd County.
Although all of the seniors seemed enthusiastic because they won’t be the lowest on the food chain anymore. “The only downside is we won’t have the older seniors here to help us anymore,” said Rebecca Brown.
Instead, the new seniors have to step up and fill those roles as peer mentors and academic tutors to the first-year students. After discussing the role of seniors with some of the new juniors, they agreed that their seemed to be an empowering cycle of help at the academy, pointing out that each class takes its turn assisting the first-year students until they eventually become the senior mentors.
Seth Creech, a junior from Powell County, said that he would definitely be asking the senior community leaders on his floor for help, if and when he needed it.
“I am thrilled to have my ‘Gatton Family’ back under the same roof,” explained Taylor Leet, a senior an Community Developer. She said that she couldn’t wait to see her old friends and make even more great memories.
“I enjoyed helping move my old friends back in since I hadn’t seen them in so long,” said Holly Morris, who also serves as a Community Developer. “The family-like closeness that develops at the academy is evident. The students love being around the other students, and making connections makes the academy experience all that more memorable.”
Rachel Stewart, a returning Residential Counselor, added that the level of excitement for the new year has reached a fever pitch in Schneider Hall. “I’m excited for people to return that I already know, and also excited to meet the new students,” she said. “I’m interested to see what the floor dynamic will be with the combination of seniors and juniors, now that everyone is back.”
All in all, the whole “family” is reunited and ready to take on the new school year ahead. The pressure will come soon enough and so will graduation.
Community Leaders assisted students in moving their possessions into Schneider Hall.
by Brandon Kerr, Academy Avatar
What am I forgetting?
The majority of students coming to the Academy for the first time frantically asks this question countless times before move-in. They check and recheck their boxes and bags, ensuring they do overlook something of importance. Each student tries to bring items to the Academy that will help them to feel comfortable, prepared for classes, and more at home during their stay.
On Sunday, the unpacking process began. The student Community Leaders (CLs) helped incoming student transport their belongings from vehicles behind Schneider Hall to place where they would call home for the next many months. While helping unload, several of the students look over their peer’s possessions.
“Oh my gosh! That’s so cool! He has a pirate chest!” shouted Sydney Combs (Laurel, ’11) elated at the site of another student’s wooden trunk. Several times a unique piece of furniture turned out to prove as an effective ice breaker, sparking conversation between the CLs and the arriving students, with parents often being involved as well.
As students settled in and boxes emptied on Sunday, several of the new juniors could be seen sporting their personal treasures. “Dude, how awesome is this?”, asked Austin Taing (Warren, ’12) showing off his Pokémon towel to his suitemates.
Rebecca Brown (Nelson, ’12) proudly sported a silver necklace. Upon further inspection, it became apparent that it was more than just a fashionable piece of jewelry. One of her favorite possessions, the necklace consists of a D20 (a twenty sided die) wrapped in a spiral of silver, functioning as a pendant. “I feel like it just screams geek, but I still think it’s pretty cool.”
As a school that is often considered—if jokingly–to house only geeks, it’s strange to find that some of the most striking items are completely unrelated to academia. Rose Nash, residential counselor, commented on how she thinks the most unique items are often those with a “strong, and personal background.” Students often bring baby blankets, woven baskets, stuffed animals, or other items worthless in all regards but sentimental. Many feel that they help relieve homesickness, and help to make their room feel more comfortable.
After months of applications, interviews, waiting, and planning, the Gatton Academy is proud to finally welcome our Class of 2012 to campus for Adventure Week and the start of an exciting two-year journey.
A family unpacks as part of move in for the Class of 2012.
by Krysta Waldrop, Academy Avatar
Emotions ran high on Sunday as parents helped their children move into Schneider Hall. For many families this was the first time they unloaded a car on a university campus–two years earlier than when the average student would leave for college.
Every parent handled the situation differently: some families encouraged their teens to socialize with other students in the common areas while others chose to spend most of their time together before departing.
Throughout the various meetings which took place during the day, parents asked a variety of questions, ranging from living arrangements to major traveling opportunities offered by the Gatton Academy.
Many parents were anxious about permitting their child to go into the care of strangers at such a young age and sad to see their teens leave. One parent stated, “I’m excited for my son, but it’s sad. I’ve been crying all week.”
Other parents, instead, had a lighthearted approach. “Well, I’m okay, and he’s certainly happy that I’m leaving now,” laughed a parent as she toted empty boxes back to her vehicle. Overall, they appeared to be reluctant to depart, but it was also apparent they were aware of, and passionate about, the countless opportunities that were now available to the new Academy juniors.
For some families, this wasn’t their first experience with the Gatton Academy; the Class of 2012 contains several students who are the siblings of former and current Gatton Academy students.
The Missik family, parents of Justine Missik (Boyle, ’11) and Lucas Missik (Boyle, ’12) were asked to compare their two experiences with letting their children attend the Academy. “It’s certainly easier this time; we aren’t as anxious,” noted their mother, Christine. “We know the people who work here and we know more about the program, so there’s less to worry about.”
The Class of 2012 has another student whose parents are familiar with the Gatton Academy, but not in the same fashion as the Missiks.
Dr. Claus Ernst and Dr. Uta Ziegler, two professors at Western Kentucky University, moved their son, Markus Ernst (Warren, ’12) into Florence Schneider Hall this year. The two WKU professors currently teach Computational Problem Solving and helped to originate the course during the program’s first year.
Ernst and Ziegler are very involved with the Gatton Academy and are often in contact with the Academy Director Tim Gott as well as other staff members. “This will be much less difficult for us than it will be for other parents who are here today,” said Dr. Ziegler. “We know a lot about the Academy, and we’ve worked closely with them for a long time.”
As the day came to a close, the remaining parents were required to leave. Despite their anxiety and reluctance to see their children living similarly to traditional college undergrad, they left feeling optimistic. Several parents noted that while it is hard to have a child leave the house, the Gatton Academy provides each student with an incredible experience filled with so many opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Incoming student Gabby Canant is greeted by Community Developer Tina Stottman upon arrivial for Adventure Week. (photo by Suzanne Van Arsdall)
by Sydney Combs, Academy Avatar
Early Sunday morning, a small army of Community Leaders stood–clad in bright green Gatton Academy attire–ready to swarm the first Class of 2012 student to arrive. When that lucky junior pulled into the parking lot at 8:15 in the morning, swarm the upperclassmen did.
Like kids to free candy, the Community Leaders flocked to each incoming junior and their family, transporting their belongings from the car to their room before they could even turn around. After a day of trucks and trunks filled with bins and duffel bags, all first-year students were moved in around two o’clock, ready to begin Adventure Week.
This first step into real life evoked mixed emotions from the students, parents, siblings, and staff members alike.
While Tucker Joyce (Mercer, ’12) moved into his room on the second floor, his grandfather and siblings sat patiently, confident in Tucker’s abilities to succeed at the Academy. Bryan Joyce, Tucker’s grandfather, seemed at ease, commenting on how his only concern was for his grandchildren and how they would fair missing their brother. “It’ll be tough,” he stated, “They are all three very close.”
Tucker’s brother Bailey, on the other hand, was more optimistic, focusing instead on how often Tucker will get to come home throughout the year. When asked how his parents felt about Tucker leaving, Bailey answered, “Well, right now they are pretty protective but I think that will change. It’s like they are sad to leave, but happy to let him go.”
It seemed like these conflicting feelings ran rampant throughout the parental community, striking victims such as Jay Porter, father of Jaymi Porter (Carter, ’12), “My feelings about Jaymi moving in are mixed; I’m a little sad but mostly excited. I know Jaymi can handle it.” However, when asked about moving in, Jaymi stated that she was only a little nervous, but mostly ready to start classes. She said, “I have been waiting all summer for this and now that I’m here, I’m just ready to jump right in and get started.”
Courageous and anxious for work, Jaymi’s confidence in herself was parallel to that of her parents. This also appeared to be the case for others such as Nikolaus Dilger, father of Daniel Dilger (Boone, ’12), who exhibited little worry for his son, “No, nope. Daniel has lived on campus twice and already has friends coming into the program. The atmosphere here is comfortable and with such unique people, he will undoubtedly feel at home.” For such a monumental step in the students’ and parents’ lives, the grace of the transition by all members was admirable.
As Academy Director Tim Gott mentioned early Sunday morning, “I am more excited about this year’s move-in than in years past. The program is getting better every year, and it started out pretty well to begin with. With the collective wisdom of our Residential Counselors and staff downstairs, I believe our years of experience will come together in a powerful way.”
With the apparent poise of the Junior class, supportive shoes provided by families, guidance from the Academy staff, and a cheering crowd of Seniors, there is no doubt that the recent additions to the Academy will provide a stunning performance.
Geographic distribution for students applying to the Gatton Academy Class of 2012.
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University has selected 61 students for its Class of 2012.
The students in this year’s class span 38 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score almost 10 points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.
Last fall, 275 students began the admissions process with 125 students qualifying for review. Students were reviewed based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, extracurricular activities, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Earlier this month, 85 candidates were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across Kentucky. In the end, 61 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.
When faced with the talented pool of applicants, Tim Gott, the Academy’s director, knew the program needed to find a way to meet the needs of a greater number of students. Consulting with Academy staff members, a decision was made to expand the student body to 128 students beginning in fall 2010, an increase of nearly 7 percent.
Gott expects these students to continue the level of academic and personal engagement Academy students have demonstrated over the last three years.
“As we begin planning for our fourth year at the Gatton Academy, I am amazed and honored to work with such outstanding students,” Gott said. “The incoming Class of 2012 once again demonstrates the incredible caliber of students from across the Commonwealth. The depth of academic strength and emerging leadership among this group reveals that the state is making a major contribution toward meeting the demand for more professionals in the STEM fields.”
The selected students scored an average composite of 29.2 on the ACT and 29.5 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is 36. The 2009 state average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was a composite of 19.4.
“The members of the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2012 have demonstrated they are ready for a greater academic challenge,” said Corey Alderdice, the Academy assistant director for admissions and public relations. “They will bring to WKU a variety of passions and abilities. Our goal will be to sharpen those skills as they grow and mature both academically and socially. Their experiences will be the flagstone in their pursuit to lead Kentucky in the 21st century.”
The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Bullitt, Calloway, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Graves, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Nelson, Oldham, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Simpson, Todd, Warren, Wayne and Whitley.
Students from eight new counties were admitted to the Gatton Academy this year.
This year, eight counties had students admitted to the Gatton Academy for the first time: Breathitt, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Montgomery, Rockcastle, Russell and Todd.
To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 95 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
The goals of the Gatton Academy are to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. Moreover, the Gatton Academy assists in preparing Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state.
Students will finish their junior and senior years of high school living in Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of their two-year course of study, they will graduate from high school and have earned at least 60 college credit hours.
The Academy provides a rich living/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 Siemens Competition, Intel Science Talent Search, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, and the Department of Defense Science, Math, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program.
The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and one of sixteen such programs in the nation. In 2009, Newsweek magazine honored the Academy as one of 16 “Public Elite” American high schools.
More information about the Gatton Academy is available online at http://www.wku.edu/academy/.
Students selected for the Gatton Academy Class of 2012
From Boone County:John Ferguson, a student at Cooper High School whose parents are Martha Ferguson and Philip Ferguson; Samantha Hawtrey, a student at Ryle High School whose parents are Claire Hawtrey and Thomas Hawtrey; Lori Lovell, a student at Boone County High School whose parents are Sarah Lovell and Joseph Lovell; and Daniel Dilger, a student at Ryle High School whose parents are Tonya Dilger and Johannes Dilger.
From Bourbon County: Brandon Farmer, a student at Bourbon County High School whose parents are Lisa Farmer and Charles Farmer.
From Boyd County: Curtlyn Kramer, a student at Paul G. Blazer High School whose parents are Betty Rice-Kramer and Curtis Kramer; and Jessica Farrell, a student at Boyd County High School whose parents are Annette Farrell and David Farrell.
From Boyle County: Lukas Missik, a student at Boyle County High School whose parents are Christine Missik and John Missik.
From Breathitt County: Hunter Noble, a student at Breathitt County High School whose parents are Cindy Noble and Gregory Noble.
From Bullitt County: Layne Webb, a student at Bullitt East High School whose parents are Judith Webb and Kevin Webb; Alex Gutierrez, a student at Bullitt East High School whose parents are Bobbi Gutierrez and Leroy Gutierrez; and Anthony Gutierrez, a student at Bullitt East High School whose parents are Bobbi Gutierrez and Leroy Gutierrez.
From Calloway County: Hannah Miller, a student at Murray High School whose parents are Diane Miller and Jeff Miller; and Hannalore Clause, a student at Calloway County High School whose parents are Joyce Clause and Robert Clause.
From Campbell County: Lydia Clark, a student at Campbell County High School whose parents are Dawn Clark and Troy Clark.
From Carroll County: Luke Yap, a student at Carroll County High School whose parents are Tracey Yap and Winston Yap.
From Carter County: Jaymi Porter, a student at West Carter High School whose parent is Jay Porter.
From Christian County: Breck Turner, a student at Hopkinsville High School whose parents are Wendy Turner and William Turner; and Amelia Winters, a student at Christian County High School whose parents are Patrice Johnson-Winters and Tommy Winters.
From Clay County: Caroline Stivers, a student at Clay County High School whose parents are Nancy Stivers and Robert Stivers.
From Clinton County: Ellis Shelley; a student at Clinton County High School whose parent is Charlotte Shelley Bernard.
From Daviess County: William Bickett, a student at Owensboro Catholic High School whose parents are Karen Bickett and Gary Bickett; Leah Wilson, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Jean Wilson and Jeff Wilson; and Gabrielle Canant, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Paula Canant and Kenneth Canant.
From Graves County: Andrea Eastes, a student at Paducah-Tilghman High School whose parents are Chrissy Eastes and Jeff Eastes; and Daylynn Allison, a student from Graves County High School whose parents are Carrie Burnett and Douglas Allison.
From Hancock County: Jon Warren, a student at Hancock County High School whose parent is DiAnn Warren.
From Hardin County: Matthew Mattingly, a student from Elizabethtown High School whose parents are Jennifer Mattingly and James Mattingly; Samantha McKean, a student at Central Hardin High School whose parents are Julie McKean and John McKean; Landon Wilcox, a student from Elizabethtown High School whose parents are Angela Wilcox and Dale Wilcox; and Cameron Kispert, a student from John Hardin High School whose parents are Jeanine and Kenneth Kispert.
From Henderson County: Christian Jolly, a student from Henderson County High School whose parents are Michelle Jolly and Scott Jolly.
From Henry County: Rachel Metcalfe, a student from Eminence High School whose parents are Tina Stambaugh and Steve Metcalfe.
From Jefferson County: Taylor Leet, a student from Louisville Male High School whose parents are Tila Leet and Allen Leet.
From Jessamine County: Jesse Matherly, a student from West Jessamine High School whose parents are Cindy Matherly and Steve Matherly.
From Kenton County: Logan Eckler, a student from Ludlow High School whose parent is Donna Eckler.
From Larue County: Mary Greenwell, a student from Central Hardin High School whose parents are Neda Greenwell and Paul Greenwell.
From Laurel County: Alexandra DeCarlo, a student from South Laurel High School whose parents are Karen DeCarlo and Anthony DeCarlo.
From Logan County: Victoria Allen, a student from Logan County High School whose parent is Jennifer Allen.
From Madison County: Laura Claytor, a student from Berea Community High School whose parents are Kim Claytor and Joe Claytor.
From Mercer County: Tennesse Joyce, a student from Mercer County High School whose parents are Chantal Joyce and Tim Joyce.
From Montgomery County: Nicholas Zolman, a student from Montgomery County High School whose parents are Katherine Zolman and Mitchell Zolman.
From Nelson County: Rebecca Brown, a student at Nelson County High School whose parents are Susan Brown and Brian Brown; Charlotte Humes, a student at Nelson County High School whose parents are Suzanne Coombs and Louis Humes; and Barbara Still, a student at Nelson County High School whose parent is Arneida Harrise.
From Oldham County: Paul Fleischmann, a student at South Oldham High School whose parents are Maria Fleischmann and Randall Fleischmann.
From Pulaski County: Benjamin Rice, a student at Somerset Christian School whose parents are Jessie Rice and Richard Rice; Melanie Hurst, a student at Southwestern High School whose parents are Treba Hurst and David Hurst; and Aaron Stolze, a student Southwestern High School whose parents are Lisa Stolze and Jason Stolze.
From Rockcastle County: Caroline Green, a student at Rockcastle County High School whose parent is Christie Green.
From Russell County: William Brown, a student at Russell County High School whose parents are Karen Brown and James Brown.
From Simpson County: David Sekora, a student at Franklin-Simpson High School whose parents are Marschelle Sekora and Peter Sekora; and Joseph Tutor, a student at Franklin-Simpson High School whose parents are Tiffany Wilson and Scott Wilson.
From Todd County: Annie Wheeler, a student at Todd County Central High School whose parents are Makka Wheeler and Gerald Wheeler, III.
From Warren County: Michael Crocker, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Patricia Crocker and Scott Crocker; Austin Taing, a student at Greenwood High School whose parent is Yong Taing; Markus Ernst, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Uta Ziegler and Claus Ernst; Jordan Currie, a student at Warren Central High School whose parents are Tamara O’Nan and Christopher Currie; and Holly Morris, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Cindy Morris and Tim Morris.
From Wayne County: Victoria Pulsifer, a student at Monticello High School whose parent is Kathleen Martin.
From Whitley County: Emily Croley, a student at Williamsburg High School whose parent is Debra Croley.
