Littrell to attend Gatton Academy

Hard work and a clear vision are helping a Marshall County High School student fulfill her dreams.

Kelsey Littrell, a sophomore at MCHS, is one of 95 students selected to attend the Carol Martin Gatton Academy this fall. Gatton Academy brings together the most gifted math and science students from across the Commonwealth for their junior and senior years. Attending the two-year residential high school for gifted Kentucky students has been Littrell’s goal since seventh grade when program representatives visited her middle school.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” said Littrell, who has been meeting and communicating with other Gatton students to help ease her transition as she takes a giant step to a bright future. “I’m excited for all of it. I get to spend my last two years on a college campus taking college classes.”

Housed as Western Kentucky University, Gatton Academy seeks to put Kentucky’s best math and science students with talented educators able to prepare and guide them through research projects and internships. According to information provided by Gatton, teachers will draw “connections between the classroom and real-world research options” for students.

During her time at WKU, Littrell will have a chance to participate in undergraduate-level research. She hopes to take part in a neurology project, and is considering a future in medicine.

“I want to do something with neurology and how epilepsy effects the brain,” Littrell said.

Littrell is the daughter of Christy Centofanti, and Heather and Eric Littrell.

On Monday night, as the sophomore was recognized by the Marshall County Board of Education, Littrell’s mother said she is “extremely proud” of her daughter.

“It’s really happening, like last week when everybody was scheduling for next year’s classes, but she wasn’t because she’s not starting here next year,” Centofanti said. “It’s only two hours away, but I can be there quicker if I need to be.”

Centofanti said her daughter earned her spot at Gatton through diligence and hard work, which will have her graduating from high school with college credit hours and access to scholarships and research opportunities.

“She has done this all on her own,” Centofanti said. “She has had our support, but we decided early on that if she was doing this, we weren’t doing it for her. She signed up to take the classes. She found out everything she had to do and she did it. When I saw how truly dedicated she was about the whole experience, I knew I had to let her go.”

Instead of taking easier electives, Littrell signed up for additional math classes and focused on meeting test scores required by all participants. Applicants must score a minimum 22 math on the ACT or a minimum 520 math on the SAT to be considered.

Gatton students are also considered for opportunities to study abroad. On a cold, cloudy Monday, Littrell said she’s hoping that privilege could take her to Costa Rica. But no matter how far her future takes her, Centofanti said she hopes her daughter remembers the important things in life.

“Just remember who she is, that she can make a difference in the world,” Centofanti said. “Remember that Jesus and her momma love her.”