Rogers Scholars Jordan Meece, Stacie Lawless and Joanie Alexander have been selected by their team members in the second graduating class to represent the youth leadership program as Ambassadors.

The three Scholars were chosen by their peers to serve as Rogers Scholars Ambassadors, a program started three years ago for graduating Scholars. Each graduating class selects representatives to carry out the role as Ambassadors. Ambassadors provide input to the Rogers Scholars program, mentor other Scholars, plan an annual reunion and participate in community service projects sponsored by The Center for Rural Development.

Selection of the Ambassadors was announced Friday, July 11, at the graduation program for the second and final graduating class of the 2008 Rogers Scholars program at The Center’s headquarters in Somerset. Former Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton delivered the commencement address. He challenged Scholars to dream big, set goals and do not be afraid to try even if it means a risk of failure.

Patton, who served as Democratic governor of Kentucky from 1995 through 2003, told how he overcame challenges and rose through the political ranks to hold the top office in the state. As governor, he said he worked to reform higher education and improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians.

Rogers Scholars, a youth leadership program sponsored by The Center, is an intensive one-week summer session for rising high school juniors in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The program provides opportunities for some of the best and brightest students in the region to learn leadership and team-building skills.

“We learned how to voice our ideas and work together as a team,” said Stacie Lawless, a student at Faith Christian Academy in Whitley County, whose favorite activity of the week was the high and low ropes climbing course. “(I learned) we can make a big difference in people’s lives through our actions.”

Jordan Meece, a student at Casey County High School, said Rogers Scholars gave him the confidence to follow his dreams. He was one of four Scholars in his class to climb to the top of a 55-foot Alpine tower in the leadership and team-building exercises at the Team Leadership Center in Wayne County. Meece didn’t let his fear of heights keep him from achieving a goal, a life lesson he plans to take away from this experience in pursing a goal to become the governor of Kentucky.

On the rope-climbing course, Scholars learn to overcome challenges and set aside their fears to achieve a specific goal. Joanie Alexander also came face-to-face with her fear of heights. The Rockcastle County High School student said she learned how “to step up and become a leader.” The experience taught her “to fight for something you believe in and strive in every way possible to achieve your personal goals and dreams.”

Emily Eicher, a student at Wayne County High School, said she realized the importance of extending a helping hand to someone in need while climbing the Alpine tower rope-climbing course. Scholars work in teams to steady the ropes and offer words of encouragement to their team members as they try to make it to the top platform.

“I’ve learned it’s not all about me and my determination to succeed,” said Russell County High School student Casey McGowan. “It’s about taking my determination to succeed and being concerned enough to use that to inspire my peers to succeed as well.”

During the week, Rogers Scholars have a chance to explore new interests and develop their talents. Ballroom dancing was a new experience for Estill County student Ryan Walton. He didn’t let his uncertainties keep him from stepping out on the dance floor. “I really don’t like the thought of dancing, but I had to jump right in and do it,” Ryan said after his first lesson. “After it was over, I realized it wasn’t so bad.”

Business and entrepreneurial leaders are invited to share their success stories with Scholars. Garrard County High School student Brandee Skaggs was impressed with the speech delivered by guest speaker Kenny Davis, captain of the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team. Davis’ team was in Munich for the Olympic Games when eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the Olympic Village, killed two members of the Israeli team and took nine hostages.

“The life lesson I learned was to truly appreciate being an American. Kenny Davis talked to us about this, and it really hit home for me. We have so much to be thankful for and proud of…we all need to learn to truly appreciate it. We should be proud to be an American,” said Skaggs.

Scholars also are inspired to get involved and give back to their home communities. While at Rogers Scholars, students participate in a community service project. This year’s project was picking up trash and debris along the shores of Lake Cumberland. Lesley Smallwood, a student at Menifee County High School, said she received a great deal of personal satisfaction from the clean-up project knowing that she had a part in cleaning up the environment.

Each year, The Center selects 60 high school sophomores or rising juniors – 30 students per session – from the 42-county service area to attend one of two summer sessions of Rogers Scholars. The first session was held the week of June 22-27 and the second class was held July 6-11.

Rogers Scholars was developed by The Center, a non-profit community economic development organization headquartered in Somerset, Ky., in cooperation with U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, KY-05, to promote youth development and leadership in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The program emphasizes technological skills development and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and a commitment to rural Kentucky. During each of the two sessions, Scholars receive 12 hours of professional instruction and hands-on experience working in one of three declared majors: engineering, information technology or digital video production.

Graduation of the 2008 classes brings the total number of Rogers Scholars graduates to 599 since the program was founded in 1996. Graduates are eligible to apply for scholarships from 13 participating colleges and universities.

“Being selected as a Rogers Scholars is an honor for the student, their school and their community – it is a highly competitive process,” said Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center. “These students truly represent the best and brightest minds in our region.”

For more information about Rogers Scholars or any of the other youth leadership programs sponsored by The Center, contact Jessica Melton at 606-677-6000 or email jmelton@centertech.com or visit www.rogersscholars.com.

TOP PHOTO: The Center for Rural Development President and CEO Lonnie Lawson addresses Rogers Scholars graduates at the close of the graduation program. Thirty rising high school juniors from Southern and Eastern Kentucky graduated from the second and final class of the 2008 Rogers Scholars program in July.

BOTTOM PHOTO: The second class of 2008 Rogers Scholars program poses for a group photograph after a day of fun and activities at the Team Leadership Center in Wayne County. One of the Scholars’ favorite activities was the ropes course. Four Scholars were successful in making it to the top of a 55-foot Alpine Tower.