ECHS Senior Gavin Dooley Named Gatton Academy 2020 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

ECHS Senior Gavin Dooley.

Darren Doyle, story:​
Twenty-three seniors from The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky have been recognized as semifinalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Competition, marking the most students recognized in a single school year in the program’s history. Edmonson County's very own Gavin Dooley of Chalybeate has been named as one of the semifinalists.

Since The Gatton Academy’s inception in 2007, a total of 161 students have been named National Merit Semifinalists.  91 current Gatton Academy seniors took the PSAT, meaning 25.27 percent of students achieved the National Merit Semifinalist level.

Gavin is the son of Jason and Jennifer Dooley of Chalybeate. He is a member of Edmonson County Drama and the ECHS Academic Team.

After graduating from Gatton and ECHS next spring, Gavin plans to continue his education at the college level. Among the schools he is considering attending are the University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, and Vanderbilt University.

“We are very proud of what Gavin has accomplished,” said his father, Jason. “We have always encouraged our children to do well in school and to challenge themselves. Gatton has allowed Gavin to explore a variety of opportunities.”

From 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, which provides 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 SAT® or ACT ® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. 

Finalists will be announced in February, and all National Merit Scholarship winners for 2020 will be announced in four nationwide releases beginning in April and concluding in July.

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