The Gatton Academy's News Archive

BOWLING GREEN – Twenty-one seniors from The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized as Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Since The Gatton Academy’s inception in 2007, a total of 291 students have been named National Merit Semifinalists.  Since students take the qualifying PSAT exam in October of their junior year of high school, much of their preparation stems from learning opportunities during their freshman and sophomore years of high school. The Gatton Academy builds on students’ sending school experiences to provide them with preparation for the ACT® and SAT®, critical components in becoming finalists.

The 2025-2026 National Merit Semifinalists from The Gatton Academy are:

• Rowan Bailey (Sayre High School) of Paris
• Hosamulhaq Brula (South Warren High School) of Bowling Green
• Aryan Chinthala (Larry A. Ryle High School) of Union
• Flynn Cook (Highlands High School) of Fort Thomas
• Keaton Garrison (South Warren High School) of Bowling Green
• Vidhi Grover (duPont Manual High School) of Louisville
• Daniel Quinn Hall (duPont Manual High School) of Louisville
• Rowan Hall (duPont Manual High School) of Louisville
• Robert Holley (Bowling Green High School) of Bowling Green
• Benjamin Lee (duPont Manual High School) of Louisville
• Mitchell Marcum (Oldham County High School) of La Grange
• Leo Martinez (Warren East High School) of Bowling Green
• Amogh Patnaik (South Warren High School) of Bowling Green
• Neha Reddy (Bowling Green High School) of Bowling Green
• Helen Rose (Henry Clay High School) of Lexington 
• Nicholas Sugimoto (Larry A. Ryle High School) of Walton
• Cameron Wood (Central Hardin High School) of Cecilia
• Austin Wooden (Bullitt Advanced Math and Science Program/North Bullitt High School) of Louisville
• Amber Wu (Calloway County High School) of Murray
• Ryan Yang (Rowan County Senior High School) of Morehead
• Bryan Michael Zimmerman (Todd County Central High School) of Trenton

More than 1.3 million juniors entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as the initial screening of program entrants.  From this list comes the nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.  The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

“We are very excited to have so many Gatton Academy students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship program. These students are outstanding representatives of their communities and our state,” said Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy. “We applaud their local school districts for working hard to support the advanced academic needs of these remarkable young people.” 

 Of the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level.  To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist and their school must submit a detailed scholarship application, providing information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.  A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout their high school career, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn ACT® and SAT® scores that confirm the Semifinalist’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.  

Finalists will be announced in February, and all National Merit Scholarship winners for 2026 are selected from this group. Winners will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July 2026. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

For more information about The Gatton Academy, visit www.wku.edu/academy or call (270) 745-6565.

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 conducts the National Merit® Scholarship Program and the National Achievement® Scholarship Program–annual competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. 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.

About The Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented juniors and seniors. The Gatton Academy’s students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Gatton Academy is a recipient of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine and the Innovation Partnership Award from the National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools.