Whitley County students will join prestigious Rogers Scholars youth program this summer

 Past participants have described Rogers Scholars as an “experience of a lifetime.”

Whitley County’s Amanda Newquist and Kayla Sears will get the chance this summer to have that experience themselves and become part of a program that’s providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to the region’s future leaders.

They will join 60 rising high school juniors from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky for an intensive one-week summer session of Rogers Scholars. The program will be held at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky., host site and program sponsor.  

Rogers Scholars, named after U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), emphasizes the development of technological skills and builds in participants a sense of leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to rural Kentucky.

Newquist, a 16-year-old student at Corbin High School, said she plans to use the experience in Rogers Scholars “to learn about concepts that will make people’s lives happier.”

An environmentalist, Newquist said she is interested in “keeping the planet green.” She is a youth leader at her church and community volunteer.

A student at Whitley County High School, Sears said she takes a leadership role in her school and community. The 15-year-old teen is a member of Student Government, UNITE, PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment), and Beta clubs. 

Like Newquist, Sears said her mission in life is “to help people live healthier and better lives.”

In accomplishing that goal, Sears said she helps with school fundraisers, participates in PRIDE clean-up projects, and serves as a 4-H counselor.

“The Center is very excited about the Rogers Scholars program this summer,” Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training, said. “We received a large number of applications again this year, and we look forward to meeting all the students who were selected to participate.”

“These students will become our region’s future leaders,” Melton continued. “The Center is anxious to provide them with skills that they need to succeed in life and their future careers.”

 Graduates of Rogers Scholars—The Center’s flagship youth program—are eligible to apply for college scholarships from 13 colleges and universities. 

The students, who currently are completing their sophomore year, were selected from The Center’s 42-county primary service area to represent their home counties as Rogers Scholars. They will be attending one of two week-long summer sessions planned for June 28-July 3 and July 12-17.

During each of the sessions, Scholars will receive hands-on instruction in one of their declared majors—information technology, video production or engineering—participate in a series of team-building leadership exercises, be involved in a community service project, and interact with some of the nation’s leading entrepreneurs and renowned business professionals.

“The Center’s mission is to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions,” Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, said. “We will accomplish that goal by providing our youth the skills they need to thrive and succeed in their careers without having to leave our region.”

“I truly believe if we keep these talented young people at home, we can transform this region for generations to come,” Lawson added.

Newquist, who plans to pursue a career in marine biology, is the daughter of Lawrence and Terry Newquist of McFadden Drive, Corbin.

Sears has not decided on a career goal, but said she is looking for Rogers Scholars program to help prepare her for college. She is the daughter of Jeff and Regina Sears of Prewitt Bend Road, Williamsburg.

Since 1996, approximately 599 Rogers Scholars have graduated from the program and potential scholarships, valued at $7.2 million, have been offered to graduates by participating colleges and universities.

 The program continues to re-enforce the goals and vision by Congressman Rogers that “…that no young person will need to leave home to find his or her future.” 

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.