Fourteen students from the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU) have been offered nationally competitive National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarships for immersive and critical study languages ​​this summer. This marks the 12^and consecutive year for Gatton Academy students to receive the scholarship.

NSLI-Y Scholarships from the United States Department of State funds students for six to eight weeks of intensive summer study and critical language immersion. Programs are typically delivered through immersive study abroad, with participants taking intensive language lessons, living with a host family, and visiting sites of cultural significance in their host country. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some Summer 2022 programs are being held virtually through online Summer Intensives. The exceptions are the programs in Taiwan and those for Russian studies, which will include traditional immersion abroad this summer. The following students have been awarded NSLI-Y scholarships for summer language studies.

The Gatton Academy is home to special language tracks in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Russian called STEM+ Critical Languages. These programs have been nationally recognized by America’s Languages ​​Guide and are conducted in partnership with WKU’s Department of Modern Languages ​​and WKU’s flagship Chinese language program. Through these optional curriculum tracks, students combine progressively rigorous critical language study each semester alongside the classic STEM curriculum offered to all Gatton Academy students.

This summer’s recipients are listed below along with their sending schools:

Krishna Angel (’23, North Oldham HS) will continue his Arabic studies this summer in Rabat, Morocco.

Anna Criminals (’23, Beechwood HS) will continue his Arabic studies this summer in Marrakech, Morocco.

Gabriel Fortier (’23, LaRue County HS) will continue his Russian studies in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Emma Harris (’22, Hickman County HS) will continue her Chinese studies by spending a college year in Taiwan.

Hank Helmers (’23, Danville HS) will be continuing their Chinese studies this summer through NSLI-Y’s virtual program.

Kole Ingram (’22, Knott County Central HS) will continue his Arabic studies in Amman, Jordan.

Holly McClure (’23, Russell County HS) will be continuing his Chinese studies this summer in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Elizabeth Mikeworth (’22, Rockcastle County HS) will be continuing their Chinese studies this summer in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

quinn miller (’23, Hopkinsville HS) will be continuing their Chinese studies this summer through NSLI-Y’s virtual program.

Neel Patel (’23, LaRue County HS) has been accepted to study Chinese this summer through NSLI-Y’s virtual program.

Reagan Phelps (’23, Bardstown HS) will continue his Russian studies in Narva, Estonia.

Samirah Salifu (’22, Greenwood HS) will continue his Arabic studies this summer in Rabat, Morocco.

Nathaniel Turlington (’22, Central Hardin HS) will continue his Russian studies in Kazakhstan.

Sophie Wielawski (’23, Allen County Scottsville HS) will continue his Russian studies in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

About Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s premier two-year residential program for gifted and talented juniors and seniors. Gatton Academy students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Gatton Academy was named for Jay Mathews’ list of top performing schools with elite students for eleven consecutive appearances and received the Innovation Partnership Award from the National Consortium for Secondary STEM School.