www.kentuckymonthly.com

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In an effort to be more inclusive, Kentucky Monthly moved its “Most Likely to Succeed” feature from April to August because many schools do not select superlatives

until the end of the school year. So, instead of honoring high school graduates, we are spotlighting the stars of the incoming freshman college class.

How were these special students selected? Well, it began with those who have known them the past four or more years—their high school classmates. To be included, stu-dents first had to be selected by their peers. Then, we asked for documentation to determine that they might be destined for success, supported by skill, luck, motivation, connections and attitude.

Is this list scientifically supported? No. The path is far easier when a student is supported by a topnotch school, which, unfortunately, is not available to everyone.

In Newsweek’s listing of “America’s Best High Schools,” five Kentucky schools made the cut. The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University is ranked No. 5 nationally and with 100 percent of its graduates going on to college. Also ranked by Newsweek were duPont Manual High School in Louisville (62), Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell (192), South Oldham High School in Crestwood (270) and Louisville’s Ballard High School (319).

Newsweek is one of many places to glean such informa-tion. The Kentucky public schools ranked highest (a silver medal) by U.S. News & World Report included, again, South Oldham, Beechwood and duPont Manual, but also Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Fort Thomas Highlands, Louisville Male and North Oldham high schools.

On the college level, 30 of Kentucky’s postsecondary education institutions are ranked by Forbes in one category or another. Students’ career path and current situation play into the proper choice of college. With other intangibles, success can emerge from virtually any location.

Taking the future success of its graduates into account, Centre College is ranked by Forbes as the 24th best college in the nation. Some of the distinguished alumni of the Danville school include Jeff Briggs (2006), NASA physicist; Raymond Burse (1973), vice president and general counsel of General Electric; Will Lavender (1999), New York Times best-selling novelist; and Isaac Tigrett (1970), founder of Hard Rock Café and The House of Blues.

Also making the Forbes list were Berea College, which ranked 210, Transylvania University (225), Bellarmine University (271), Asbury University (380) and Murray State University (481)

Following is the Most Likely to Succeed Class of 2011.

Most Likely

to Succeed

Stars of the Freshman College Class

Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely Most Likely 2011

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Top Honors Received: Class of Kentucky 2009 – University of Kentucky, Kentucky Colonel, Top 26 Football All-Star Golden Helmet AwardTop Leadership Positions: National Honor Society president, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership representative, Regional Youth Leadership ambassadorTop Community Service Project: Participated in the Buddy Walk, a national fundraiser for Down SyndromeCollege Plans (school/major): University of Kentucky/chemistry (pre-pharmacy)

Top Honors Received: National Merit Finalist, A.P. Scholar with Honor, University of Notre Dame Book Award recipientTop Leadership Positions: Editor of Mandala, the high school literary publi-cation; Governor’s Cup Quick Recall Team captain; French Club president; varsity athlete in lacrosse, field hockey and cross countryTop Community Service Project: Served as a Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentorCollege Plans (school/major): Dartmouth College/French and interna-tional relations

Top Honors Received: Presidential Scholarship, Golf ScholarshipTop Leadership Positions: Freshman class president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes president, 2011 Class ChaplainTop Community Service Project: With the Upward Basketball program, taught children in grades 1-7 the Gospel through coaching the fundamentals of basketballCollege Plans (school/major): Asbury University/media communications, minoring in youth ministry

Casey CadleDayton High School,

Dayton

Anabelle FergusonKentucky Country Day School,

Louisville

Sarah HaganBardstown High School,

Bardstown

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Top Honors Received: Admitted into the Governor’s School for the Arts for cre-ative writing, National Honor Society member, received first in state for Spanish I Writing at Foreign Language FestivalTop Leadership Positions: Senior Student Council treasurer, varsity vol-leyball team captain, Junior Musical Experience program associateTop Community Service Project: Helped at the International Book Project head-quarters in Lexington while attend ing the Governor’s School for the ArtsCollege Plans (school/major): University of Cincinnati/biology and chemistry

Top Honors Received: Mercy Ambassa-dor foreign exchange student, Argentina; served on the Youth Advisory Board for the Archdiocese of Louisville; 3.77 cumulative GPATop Leadership Positions: President of Advancement Council, representative for Assumption’s Family Program (four years), peer leader, Service Action Leadership Team memberTop Community Service Project: Spearheaded a mission trip for her classmates to Jamaica and spent a week working with studentsCollege Plans (school/major): Xavier University

Top Honors Received: 2011 National Beta Club Scholarship, 2010 Kentucky Governor’s Scholar, WCPO-TV Student of the Week, Benjamin Templeton Scholarship to Hanover CollegeTop Leadership Positions: President of Student Council, vice president of the Senior Class, captain of the Dance TeamTop Community Service Project: Created and implemented “Art for Afghanistan,” an art supply collection drive for Afghan childrenCollege Plans (school/major): Hanover College/international studies, art histo-ry and Spanish

Madhulika MamidiCovington Latin School,

Covington

Colleen ReynoldsAssumption High School,

Louisville

Lauren Elizabeth SchultzDixie Heights High School,

Ft. Mitchell

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Top Honors Received: Kentucky National Guard Player of the Game (basketball) – All “A” State, 2008; Paducah Sun All-Purchase Team, 2008-11; All “A” Regional Academic Award – 2011Top Leadership Positions: Varsity bas-ketball team captain, Relay for Life team captain, Beta Club vice presidentTop Community Service Project: Served as team captain for Relay for Life, orga-nizing fundraisers that collected about $6,000 to honor cancer survivors in the community and those who had lost their battle with cancerCollege Plans (school/major): Campbellsville University/economics, minoring in accounting

Top Honors Received: 2010 Kentucky Governor’s Scholar, Barren County Board of Education Student of the Month, College Board Advanced Placement Scholar, Regents Scholarship from Western Kentucky UniversityTop Leadership Positions: Kentucky Third District Beta Club treasurer, Glasgow Baptist Church Youth Council, Barren County Leaders of the FutureTop Community Service Project: Developed “Art for the Heart of India,” an art program for children in orphan-ages in IndiaCollege Plans (school/major): Western Kentucky University, Honors College/history and art

Top Honors Received: 2010 Governor’s Scholar, University of Louisville Trustee’s Scholarship, 2011 Mr. Future Business Leader of KentuckyTop Leadership Positions: Future Business Leaders of America, President of Bardstown High School Bank of Pride, Botland Christ ian Church Youth Seminary leaderTop Community Service Project: Through Kentucky Refugee Ministries, worked with refugee children ages 3-18 from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal and Iraq to help them adjust to American societyCollege Plans (school/major): Univer-sity of Louisville/business (pre-law)

Abigail ShelleyBallard Memorial High School,

Barlow

Elliott Katherine ShipleyBarren County High School,

Early College Magnet, Glasgow

Tyler ThompsonBardstown High School,

Bardstown

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