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09 Jul 2010
First session of 2010 Rogers Scholars, latest graduates made for ‘an amazing week’ at The Center for Rural Development
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The 36 high school students from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky—the first of two classes of 2010 Rogers Scholars—had “an amazing week,” Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, said on the final day of the program.
“I truly believe (the Rogers Scholars program) is one of the best things we do at The Center for Rural Development,” Lawson told parents and guests in attendance for the graduation ceremony for the first group of 2010 Rogers Scholars. “If we can start these young people on the right path and educate them here, we have a much better chance of keeping them in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”
Lawson personally congratulated each graduate and presented each with a plaque recognizing their completion of the program on July 2 in a short graduation ceremony held in The Center’s performing arts theatre in Somerset.
Each graduate is eligible to receive an offer of a scholarship from 15 participating colleges and universities in Kentucky, and one university in Tennessee.
Rogers Scholars—The Center’s flagship youth program—emphasizes the development of technological skills and builds in participants a sense of leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to rural Kentucky.
The program, named after U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), continues Rogers’ lifelong goal and ultimate vision that “no young person will have to leave home to find his or her future.”
Lawson, who shares those goals, said the future of Southern and Eastern Kentucky rests in the hands of the region’s youth.
“These are some of the brightest, brightest minds sitting right here in the first three rows” of the auditorium, Lawson said, referring to the 36 Rogers Scholar graduates. “We can transform this region into something that we have never seen before in our lifetime.”
During the graduation program, Scholars delivered student-produced presentations—including several short films produced by Rogers Scholar video production teams —highlighting their work in one of three declared majors: engineering, video production, and the newest offering, healthcare.
Rogers Scholars and their respective majors include the following:
- Engineering: Cara Bell Preece, Merry Osborne, Noelle Banks, Kyle Mann, Joseph Hamblin, Conor Childers, Ben Lake, Hunter Middleton, Cameron Merrick, Donavon McClure, Austin Adams, and Josh Marcum.
- Healthcare: Allison Hicks, Destini Engle, Divya Desai, Emily Cox, Emily Rose, Kayla Janbakhsh, Lakean Duff, Dillon Staples, Colby Allen, Derek Puerto, Josh Akers, and Logan Finley.
- Video Production: Baylee Shofner, Ciara Christian, Faith VanMeter, Kayla Atwood, Keisha Taylor, Kendra Taylor, LaNeika Baker, Lauren Rose, Layla McKenzie, Meredith Thompson, Hunter Pelly, and Will Bradley.
The first class of Rogers Scholars attended the program during the week of June 27-July 2, and 37 additional students—all rising juniors—will be back on the campus of The Center starting July 12 for the second and final week of the summer youth leadership program.
This summer’s sessions represent the largest combined group to ever attend Rogers Scholars in the 12-year history of the program.
Since the program’s inception in 1998, approximately 699 high school students have graduated from Rogers Scholars, and potential scholarships valued at more than $7.2 million have been offered to graduates by 15 participating colleges and universities.
The Center for Rural Development—the Center of Excellence for rural Kentucky and the nation—provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county primary service area of Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and is home to several statewide and national technology-based programs. For more information on programs available through The Center, visit www.centertech.com.
Photo Caption: Lonnie Lawson, at right, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, addresses the first class of 2010 Rogers Scholar graduates at a graduation program on July 2 at The Center in Somerset. The first group of Scholars attended the program during the week of June 27-July 2 and another 37 high school students—all rising juniors—will be back on the campus of The Center starting July 12 for the second and final week of the summer youth leadership program. |
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