150 middle and high school students will participate in The Center’s three youth programs this summer, representing 42 Southern and Eastern Ky. counties

By Rogers Scholars • Jun 4th, 2009 • Category: News, Program Updates

They come from communities scattered across Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Some have dreams of opening their own business or becoming entrepreneurs. Others are interested in strengthening their leadership skills.

Regardless of those personal goals, all share a common bond to do his or her personal best to improve their lives and the lives of those around them.

This summer, 150 middle and high school students representing 42 counties within The Center for Rural Development’s primary service area will have an opportunity to explore their interests, receive valuable leadership training, and grow their business and entrepreneurial skills.

The Center, a non-profit organization developed as a state and national model for economic development, offers three summer youth programs—Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers, and Entrepreneurship Leadership Institute (ELI)—under its leadership initiative.

“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.

Rogers Scholars

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

Sixty rising high school juniors will get the chance this summer to have that experience and represent their home communities in 42 Southern and Eastern Kentucky counties as Rogers Scholars. They will spend one week on the campus of The Center at its headquarters in Somerset, Ky., developing skills that will allow them to become the region’s future leaders.

The first session of Rogers Scholars is scheduled for the week of June 28-July 3 followed by a second session for the remaining group of 30 Scholars from 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 is very excited about the Rogers Scholars program this summer,” Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center, 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.”

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.

Graduates of Rogers Scholars are eligible to apply for college scholarships from 13 colleges and universities.

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.

Rogers Explorers

Sixty rising ninth-grade students across Southern and Eastern Kentucky will be able this summer to develop critical leadership skills, get hands-on experience in science and math, and prepare to become the region’s next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

These students have been selected as Rogers Explorers and will attend one of two summer sessions on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg or at the newest host site in Columbia at Lindsey Wilson College.

This year’s program has been extended to 32 additional counties within The Center’s primary service area, and a second summer session has been added on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College. These changes will double the number of participants and give more students than ever before an opportunity to experience Rogers Explorers.

“We are very excited about the expansion of our Rogers Explorers program,” Melton said. “This year we will be returning to the University of the Cumberlands as well as expanding our program to the campus of Lindsey Wilson College.”

Rogers Explorers is open to freshmen-to-be with an interest in developing skills in leadership, technology, math, science, entrepreneurship, and community service. Explorers will spend three days and two nights on a college campus participating in hands-on activities and working with professional college instructors.

The Rogers Explorers session at the University of the Cumberlands is scheduled for June 7-9, followed by the second session June 10-12 at Lindsey Wilson College.

“All activities are both educational and fun,” Melton said. “Explorers are able to experience what it is like to be on a college campus, fine-tune leadership skills, and develop a network of friends and resources throughout our region.”

Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI)

Thirty high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors within The Center’s 42-county service area have been selected to attend this summer’s session of ELI.

“The purpose of ELI is to develop future business leaders and entrepreneurs in Southern and Eastern Kentucky,” Melton said. “Our dynamic program focuses on creativity, teamwork, and the development of business skills, and encourages participants to consider starting a business as a career option.”

During the week of June 14-19, participants will meet at The Center’s headquarters in Somerset and work as teams to create a business plan and present their proposals before a panel of judges in a business concept competition on the final day of the session.

Lawson, a panel judge in previous ELI competitions, said he is always impressed by the quality of work presented by the promising young business leaders.

“The business proposals often display a great amount of originality and creative thinking by a group of talented high school students on track to be our next generation of business leaders,” he said. “I am confident we will be impressed by this year’s students and the innovative ideas they will bring to the program.”

Members of the first-place business concept team are eligible to receive a Presidential Scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond, Ky. The winning team also will be recognized at the 2009 Excellence In Entrepreneurship Awards (EIEA) program this fall at The Center.

ELI is designed to inspire students to be creative thinkers, work as a team, and develop skills that will allow them to become the next generation of business leaders or entrepreneurs.

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

For more information on any of these programs, contact Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center, at 606-677-6000 or email her at jmelton@centertech.com. Information on all three youth programs is posted on The Center’s website and may be viewed by visiting www.centertech.com.

2009 ROGERS SCHOLARS