Lindsey Wilson College Rogers Explorers: Graduates of the 2015 Rogers Explorers program at Lindsey Wilson College completed a community service project. Graduates were Chloe Burton, Adair County; Brenna Hayes, Zachary Todd, and Jenna Vaughn, Casey County; Emma McClellan, Clinton County; Grace Alexander and Bailey Willis, Cumberland County; Jordan Young, Garrard County; Corey Bright and Braxton Chafin, Knox County; Charlotte Burgard, Laurel County; Austin Ford, Tyler London, and Kara Shive, Metcalfe County; Brooklyn Gordon and Cassie Strong, Monroe County; Sarah Coldiron, Chloe Craft, Jenna Howard, Isaac Huffman, Amin Katanbaf, and Madison Phelps, Pulaski County; Bailey Taylor, Rockcastle County; Hailey Howard, Russell County; Myles Murrell and Cooper Parks, Taylor County; Zachary Dishman, Wayne County; and Matt Moore and LeShae Smiddy of Whitley County.

Clinton County students Jackson Harlan, Emma McClellan, and Isabelle Moons graduated from The Center for Rural Development’s 2015 Rogers Explorers youth leadership program.

Jackson is the son of Sheldon and Jennifer Harlan of Albany. Emma is the daughter of David and Tammy McClellan of Albany. Isabelle is the daughter of Josh and Amanda Moons of Albany. All three students represented Clinton County Middle School.

The Rogers Explorers program is an educational leadership program that provides hands-on learning opportunities for middle school students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky to build their math, science, and technology skills. Graduates are encouraged to work toward pursuing careers in these in-demand career fields.

“This year’s class of Rogers Explorers showed that there are many bright, young leaders in our region of Southern and Eastern Kentucky,” said Delaney Stephens, community liaison and youth programs coordinator for The Center. “By participating in this program, Explorers had the opportunity to experience first-hand how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can positively impact our region while also getting a feel for what college life was like.”

The Rogers Explorers program is presented by The Center in partnership with Lindsey Wilson College, University of the Cumberlands, Asbury University, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, and the University of Pikeville.

A record 180 middle school students attended this year’s Rogers Explorers program. Participants apply when they are in the eighth grade and attend during the summer before the start of their freshman year. There is no admission charge to attend Rogers Explorers.

For more information about Rogers Explorers, contact Delaney Stephens at 606-677-6000 or email youth@centertech.com. Visit www.centeryouthprograms.com to learn more about youth programs at The Center.

Eastern Kentucky University Rogers Explorers: Graduates of the 2015 Rogers Explorers program held on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University were Abigail Dykes, Adair County; Isabelle Moons, Clinton County; Elizabeth Hardy, Estill County; Cole DeRossett, Floyd County; Brynne Galloway, Garrard County; Hannah Daniels, Grace Evans, Toni McCombs, Whitney Messer, and Lydia Smith, Knox County; Abigail Lay and Christina Anderson, Laurel County; Lauren Perdue, Lee County; Caroline White, Madison County; Grayson Arnett, Magoffin County; Kaylee Harbison, Shawna Edwards, Leah Thompson, and Tanner Moss, Metcalfe County; Andrea Beltran, Monroe County; Matthew Minter, Owsley County; Alison Lewis, Taylor Young, Tate Avera, and Adam Reynolds, Pulaski County; Joseph Coffey, Rockcastle County; Benjamin Sapp, Russell County; Lillie Abbott and Brody Barton of Whitley County, and Christin Pelfrey of Wolfe County.

University of the Cumberlands Rogers Explorers: Graduates of the 2015 Rogers Explorers program held on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands were Beth Buttery and Gabriel Crockett, Clay County; Jackson Harlan, Clinton County; Andrew Brock, Harlan County; Tyrah Jones, Jackson County; Hollie Clifton, Dane Imel, Jenna Johnson, John “JD” McVey IV, Jacob Mitchell, and Ethan Phipps, Knox County; Brendan Henegar and Noah Taylor, Laurel County; Hunter Killen, Lincoln County; Maryanna Meadows and Aaliyah Ridner, McCreary County; Alex Ham and Colin Miller, Pulaski County; Zoe Burdette and Jordan Nicely, Rockcastle County; Micah Lauer, Taylor County; Abigail Marcum, Colton Morrow, and Callie Phillips, Wayne County; Drew Beecham, Grant Gibson, Lauren Lockaby, Savannah Moore, Abby Schwarz, and Elizabeth Spires of Whitley County.