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Sara Maria Dotson

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: As a Young Scholar Sara took advantage of summer programs in her geographic area, but also left her “comfort zone” to attend some classes further away from her native Kentucky (one learning trip was to Spain). “I participated in programs that not only challenged me academically, but also emotionally,” Sara said. “I have been to places and done things that I would not have been able to do without the aid of the Foundation.”

Profile: Those who know Sara best are quick to say she is academically gifted, but she also possesses wonderful qualities in addition to her “classroom smarts”. As one teacher said, she possesses a “humbleness, caring nature, and positive attitude that makes her special.” Sara’s high school years have been split between the public school in her small hometown and boarding at the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, one of the most prestigious public schools in the country. Sara was one of the chosen few Kentucky students awarded a scholarship to attend the Gatton Academy, which is housed on the campus of Western Kentucky University. While there she was immersed in a rigorous, high-level and competitive college experience.

Inspiration: Sara’s Naval Science instructor for N.J.R.O.T.C. “was there for me and let me know that I was an exceptional student, even when I didn’t feel like I was.” Sara said he taught her an important lesson: Life has its challenges and dealing with those challenges are what shape us into who we are and who we will be.

Aspiration: Right now Sara’s career choices are wide open although she is leaning toward studying either medicine or environmental engineering. She’s starting her academic journey at Kentucky’s Centre College, a historic institution located not far from her hometown.

Making a Difference: In addition to her many volunteer activities that fill up most of her free hours when she’s not studying, Sara said her greatest accomplishment was being accepted into the Gatton Academy.

Accolades: Sara received class awards and was a regular on the honor roll at Butler County High School. As a freshman in high school Sara won second place in a national writing competition sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Interesting fact: Sara is the only girl in her family and has five brothers. “Some people wonder how it is that I grew up so normal being the only girl,” Sara said. “I didn’t think it was so hard but I’m not sure what their definition of normal is.”
 

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