Thirty high school students from Southern and Eastern Kentucky are better prepared to be the region’s next generation of future leaders after developing their leadership skills at Rogers Scholars summer youth program.

The first class of 2009 Rogers Scholars completed the program last week and received certificates of completion—making graduates eligible to receive college scholarships from 13 participating colleges and universities—at a graduation ceremony held Friday, July 3, at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

Keynote speaker Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, challenged graduates to follow their dreams, take a leadership role in the remainder of their educational journey, and don’t be afraid to fail.

“Creativity is all about taking risks, taking chances, and be willing to fail,” he told graduates. “Learn from your failures. Some of the greatest success stories come from the loss of failure.”

Lawson encouraged Rogers Scholars to remain true to their Kentucky roots and take pride in their home communities.

“You are now a representative of the Rogers Scholars program,” he said. “You are now a representative of The Center for Rural Development. And you are now a representative of Congressman Harold Rogers.”

Rogers Scholars, named after 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.

Honored at the graduation program were Rogers Scholars Brandi Howard, 16, a junior at Magoffin County High School, recipient of the Doug Reece Memorial Award; and Donavyn Coffey of Russell County and Ben Whitlock of Green County, nominated by their peers as ambassadors.

The next class of Rogers Scholars is scheduled to arrive Sunday for another week of what’s been described by past graduates “as an experience of a lifetime.”