The second—and final—class of 2009 Rogers Scholars arrived at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset on Sunday to begin a week of activities that Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, promises to be “a life-changing experience.”

In a welcome address to Scholars and their parents, Lawson said the Rogers Scholars program has had a positive influence on the lives of hundreds of young people in Southern and Eastern Kentucky and will be “an experience of a lifetime” for this promising group of 30 rising high school juniors to attend the latest summer camp.

“I truly believe if we keep these talented young people at home, we can transform this region for generations to come,” Lawson said, echoing the words of U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, KY-05.

Rogers Scholars, The Center’s flagship youth program, was developed in 1998 as an action step toward meeting Rogers’ goal “…that no young person will need to leave home to find his or her future.”

Parents can keep in touch and follow their son or daughter’s activities while here at The Center by visiting the program’s newly launched Web site at www.rogersscholars.com. Still photos and live videotape will be posted on the site daily to give viewers an idea of some of the activities Rogers Scholars are involved in during the week.

Rogers Scholars will be at the Team Leadership Center in Wayne County on Monday to work with Norrie Wake, lead facilitator, on the leadership component of the program. Wake and his staff will be leading Scholars through a series of team-building and leadership exercises, including climbing a 54-foot Alpine Tower ropes courses.