Brickeen is one of only 64 academically outstanding high school students from across the commonwealth accepted into the 2015-17 class of the prestigious Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University. Sunday, Aug. 17, they arrive on WKU’s Bowling Green campus. A week later, they begin classes with the entire Hilltopper student body, including 64 other Gatton Academy students starting their second year in the program. The Gatton Academy is comprised of half males and half females.
“I’m very honored to be accepted through the long admissions process,” he said. “The Gatton Academy began in 2007 in order to develop Kentucky students and the state’s own progress. It’s a STEM school, based mainly on science, technology, engineering, and math. My best subject is math and I’m most interested in the medical field and believe I want to become an orthopedic surgeon.”
Despite the friendships he’s made at GCHS and his success in playing tennis into last spring’s regional semifinals, Brickeen said, “I think it’ll be alright to leave. It’s going to be very challenging just to transition, but I think it will be okay when I get with my other classmates and get involved. During the semesters, we will focus on study projects. I already know that in my first two semesters I’ll work in a lab seven to ten hours per week on a genome project. I think this will push me to keep going further and further into studies, research, and such. There are a lot of opportunities. Gatton students can take summer and winter term trips to study out of the country in England and Costa Rica.” He also expects thoroughly to enjoy the atmosphere of like-minded students, highly interested in academics.
The son of David and Kim Brickeen, Xavier says his mom is “happy for the opportunity I’m getting. She’s going to miss me, but she’ll be okay.” He figures they’ll talk on the phone a lot, especially on Nov. 29. That’s the day this emerging college student celebrates his next birthday. He’ll turn 16.
