GLASGOW — Caverna High School’s Kyle Bunnell is one of 18 students statewide who have been named Most Likely to Succeed by Kentucky Monthly magazine.

“It’s been quite an honor,” said the senior.

One of the requirements for the distinction was to be recognized as a person Most Likely To Succeed by their schools.

Bunnell was urged to apply for the distinction by his parents and his guidance counselor.

“It came as surprise,” Bunnell said.

In addition to being named Most Likely to Succeed by his school, Bunnell also had to submit supporting documents showing his potential achievement.

The magazine created a panel that looked for different indicators, such as unique accomplishments and academic achievements in selecting the students.

Bunnell has a 4.0 GPA. During his high school career, he was named to the United States Achievement Academy of Who’s Who in English and science, the National Honor Society of High School Scholars and served as a member of the National Beta Club.

He was also named state president of the Kentucky Technology Student Association this year, served as a justice for the 2007 Kentucky Youth Assembly Model Supreme Court, served as a captain of his school’s academic team, and served as president of Future Business Leaders of America, as well as playing on his school’s varsity tennis team.

“I know my experiences as a governor’s scholar and in TSA has helped me achieve (the Most Likely to Succeed recognition),” he said.

He also served on the executive committee and was a member of the state board of directors for TSA.

Through his duties as state TSA president, Bunnell joined an effort to get two pieces of legislation passed — Senate Bill 2, which was to increase funding for science, technology, engineering and math initiatives and Senate Bill 32, which paved a pathway toward engineering.

Bunnell has been involved with TSA for seven years. His long-term dedicated service to the organization won him the Distinguished Service Award earlier this year. During the time he has been involved with TSA, Bunnell said he has learned some valuable lessons.

“I’ve learned that it is very important to let your voice be heard. You’ve got to stand up and you’ve got to take chances,” he said. “I remember as a freshman getting up on stage in front of thousands of people who were there. It was really an experience for me. I had never done anything like that before. I looked out over the lights and over the people and I just said what I had to say and I was lucky enough to get elected (president).”

Bunnell is also interning in the emergency room at Caverna Memorial Hospital.

“I’ve found that my TSA experiences have helped me at the hospital. In delegates’ meetings things get a little crazy as you preside over everything, and in the ER things get a little crazy,” he said. “So, you have to really keep a level head. It’s all about demeanor. You have to keep your head up high and you have to act like you know what you’re doing even if you are frightened or scared. You’ve got to stay strong even in the toughest situations.”

As a student intern, Bunnell follows the physicians throughout the day at the hospital.

“I get to watch them perform procedures. I’m able to look at orders and everything such as that and usually the doctor discusses things with me — treatments, diagnoses and prognoses of very sick patients,” he said. “It’s been quite an experience.”

Bunnell plans to attend Western Kentucky University and major in biology. After completing his undergraduate work, he plans to enroll in the University of Louisville School of Medicine and hopes to come back to Barren County one day and practice emergency medicine.

Kentucky Monthly intends to keep a close eye on those chosen Most Likely to Succeed to see where they are in five, 10, 20 years from now.

Bunnell is excited about that.

“I think it will be interesting over the next few years to follow this inaugural class in the magazine and see our accomplishments,” he said. “We are going to achieve some great things, I think.”