SOMERSET, KY – The Rogers’ Scholars program challenges students to get involved in their communities and former scholar Michelle Combs did just that. After returning home from the Rogers’ Scholars program last summer this South Laurel High School junior put her love of reading and community service together and started, “Books for Sailors.”

Combs recently collected more than 60 books to send to sailors serving on the USS Harry Truman, an air craft carrier. The service project began after Combs read about a support group for the ship and their desire to collect reading material for the sailors.
“I became interested in doing something that would help the military people serving in the war in Iraq, and when I went the ship’s website, I read that one of the ship’s support groups was collecting books.”
The sailors are often deployed for months at a time and the books will be added to the ship’s library. Combs plans to continue collecting new and used books for the sailors, anyone who would like to make a donation can contact the Center at (606) 677-6000.

Michelle Combs, the daughter of Larry and Karen Combs, is a member of the Rogers’ Scholar class of 2004.

The Rogers’ Scholars program began in 1998. This intensive one week summer session for rising high school juniors from 42 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky emphasizes technological skills development and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and commitment to rural Kentucky. Rogers Scholars interact with state and national leaders and work with high-quality instructors to focus on leadership, technology, entrepreneurship and community service. For complete information, contact The Center for Rural Development at (606) 677-6000 or online at www.rogersscholars.com.