Local students named 2010 Rogers Explorers

The Center for Rural Development has named Zachary Coots, Abby Newquist, and Allison Smith of Whitley County and Savannah Hummell and Paxton Broughton of Knox County as 2010 Rogers Explorers, also making them part of a record number of participants this summer thanks to the addition of a new summer session on a third Kentucky college campus. 

The Center has invited 90 students from Southern and Eastern Kentucky to become Rogers Explorers and spend three days and two nights on campus at either the University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College, or the newest location at Eastern Kentucky University. 

This represents the largest number of participants to take part in Rogers Explorers since the program was launched by The Center in partnership with the University of the Cumberlands in 2006. 

“We have expanded Rogers Explorers program this summer to give 30 more students in The Center’s 42-county primary service area an opportunity to explore their math and science skills and develop their potential as the region’s future leaders,” Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center, said. “This program is so important because it encourages students to begin thinking about their future careers and postsecondary education.”

The students—all rising ninth-graders—will develop critical leadership skills, receive hands-on experience in science and math, and prepare to become the region’s next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

As Rogers Explorers, participants will attend the program at one of the following sessions: June 6-8, Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia; June 9-11, University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg; and July 21-23, at the newest host site on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.

“We are fortunate to be able to partner with three of Kentucky’s leading institutions of higher learning to give these students their first glimpse of what it is like to be a college student living on campus,” Melton said. “These students will remember this experience four years from now when they are selecting a college or university to attend after their high school graduation.”

Students apply for Rogers Explorers while they are in the eighth grade and are selected through a competitive selection process. The program is open to students interested in developing skills in leadership, technology, math, science, entrepreneurship, and community service.

Rogers Explorers is coordinated and supervised by The Center, a non-profit organization based in Somerset, in partnership with Lindsey Wilson College, University of the Cumberlands, and Eastern Kentucky University.

All lodging, meals, and program expenses (with the exception of transportation to and from the host sites) are provided free of charge.

Broughton, daughter of Darris and Lisa Broughton of Corbin, represents Lynn Camp Middle School.

Smith, daughter of Chris and Tammy Smith of Corbin; Coots, son of Paul and Kathy Coots, also of Corbin; and Hummell, daughter of Howard and Paula Hummell, also of Corbin, represent Corbin Middle School. 

Newquist, daughter of Lawrence and Terry Newquist of Corbin, represents St. Camillus Academy.

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.