Thirty-seven rising high school juniors from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky—the final class of the 2010 summer sessions of Rogers Scholars—graduated on July 16 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset after scaling new heights, building their leadership and entrepreneurial skills, and having the time of their young lives.
At the awards and graduation program, Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, personally congratulated Scholars on their accomplishments and presented each with a certificate signifying their completion of the program.
Lawson, speaking to graduates for the final time, encouraged them to find their passion in life and strive to do their best work every single day.
“Scholars, from this point forward, you must absolutely take an active role in your education,” he said. “Only you know what you are passionate about. Get to know yourself and be true to yourself.”
In a videotaped message to Rogers Scholars, their parents, and invited guests, U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) said he now considers each and every graduate of Rogers Scholars “an ambassador for Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”
He challenged Scholars to continue to build on what they had learned in the program and strengthen their skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, creativity, and team-building.
Prior to graduation, Lawson and Jessica Melton, associate director of leadership and training for The Center, presented Pike County’s Taryn Cantrell with the Doug Reece Memorial Award for having the highest-scoring application among students who participated in the second session of this summer’s Rogers Scholars program. She also received a handcrafted Appalachian dulcimer donated by Dr. Bruce Ayers, president of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, and a $250 scholarship to any in-state college or university as part of the award.
In addition, Sarah Crawford and Taylor Speaks, both from Pulaski County, were selected by peers in their class to represent them as Rogers Scholar Ambassadors. They will continue to serve the program as representatives of the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholar graduates.
Graduates of this class and their respective majors included:
- Engineering: Carlie Hall, Cody Epperson, Hunter Williams, Jarrod Wesley, Lauren Little, Matthew Smith, Morgan Culver, Natalie Land, Olivia Brown, Sherry Henderson, Taylor Speaks, William Cox, and Annette Dangerfield.
- Healthcare: Andi Fields, Hannah Smith, Josh Parker, Kristyn Densmore, Sarah Crawford, Taylor Calebs, Ben Meadows, Taryn Cantrell, Kyle Allen, Madyson Hutchinson, Justin Epperson, and Chloe Whitaker.
- Video Production: Macey Culver, Sarah Woodall, Holly Bullock, Todd Yoder, Bailey Lake, Courtney Turner, Erin Flowers, Jared Johnson, Jordan Penley, Julieann Helton, Lindsey Coomer, and Tanner Elrod.
Each team delivered student-produced presentations—including several short films produced by Rogers Scholar video production teams—highlighting their work in their declared majors. During the week, Scholars receive 12 hours of professional development training and work hands-on with professionals in those fields.
This summer, The Center expanded enrollment in the Rogers Scholars program to give 13 additional students the chance to share the experience and added a new major, healthcare, allowing participants to explore career options in the medical profession.
A total of 73 high school students—all rising juniors—attended this summer’s sessions of Rogers Scholars held June 27-July 2 and again from July 11-16 on the campus of The Center, located at 2292 South U.S. 27 in Somerset.
It was the largest number of participants to graduate from Rogers Scholars in the history of the 12-year program.
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 Center for Rural Development, located in Somerset, Ky., provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county 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 1: Rogers Scholars Courtney Turner and Jared Johnson break out in dance at the conclusion of the awards and graduation program held July 16 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset. After the Scholars received their certificates of completion from Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, some of the Scholars couldn’t contain their excitement and began to dance as the music played, bringing an end to a week of fun, adventure, and fellowship among 37 rising high school juniors selected as 2010 Rogers Scholars from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky.
Photo Caption 2: At an awards and graduation program held July 16 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, encouraged the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholars to find their passion in life and strive to do their best work every single day. Thirty-seven rising high school juniors from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky graduated from the second and final summer session of this year’s Rogers Scholars. |
