Walch accepted into Gatton Academy
CAMPBELL COUNTY SCHOOLS - Gretchen Walch, sophomore at Campbell County High School, won’t be returning to high school in the fall. Instead, the 16-year-old will be packing her bags for a taste of college life.
Gretchen, of Alexandria, has been accepted to the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science on the campus of Western Kentucky University where she will spend her junior and senior year of high school enjoying unique opportunities for advanced study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). By the end of her two year stint, she will have earned more than 60 hours of college credit.
“This is such a great opportunity. I feel so blessed,” said Gretchen of learning that she was accepted into the program.
During the two-part application process, Gretchen interviewed with Gatton staff and had the opportunity to meet many of applicants to the program.
“Especially after seeing all of the talent in that room, it is neat to be picked out of those students,” she said.
Each year the Gatton Academy admits 60 Kentucky students who apply during their sophomore year and are awarded admission based on standardized test scores, grades, responses to essay questions, personal interviews, and recommendations. For 2012, only 23 of the new admissions are female.
While she says she has always been comfortable with STEM subjects in school, it has been in recent years that she has developed a real passion for science and a desire to develop a career in the area of medical research. Her selection into the Gatton Academy could speed up her plans. She will immediately be enrolled in college-level courses alongside fellow Gatton Academy students and WKU undergraduates. She is excited, not nervous, about transitioning to college life so quickly. Having attended Vampy Camp, asummer program for verbally and mathematically precocious youth, on the WKU campus gave her a good feel for the campus and some of her fellow students and staff. And it helps that her older sister, Erin, is currently a member of the Gatton Academy. Erin completes the program this May.
Though a student at the Gatton Academy, Gretchen will remain a student of CCHS as well and will have the opportunity to attend any and all school functions. The tuition, housing, and meals come at no cost to Gatton students.
Campbell County School District provides the highest quality public education and extracurricular activities for nearly 5,000 students in preschool through grade 12. The district has earnedthe prestigious AdvancEd International accreditation and is among the top ranking districts in Kentucky on state and national assessments. More information is available at .