As a 2000 graduate of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars youth program, Lisa Hibbs learned how important it is to set goals and work toward reaching those goals.

Her goals became pursuing a career in teaching, working with young children, and following a lifelong passion for children’s literature in hopes of some day becoming a published author.

Nearly 10 years after graduating from Rogers Scholars, Hibbs—now a first-grade teacher and author—is returning to The Center, where she said she received the self-confidence to ultimately achieve her life and career goals.

Hibbs will read from her first published book, “Allie Doogledorf and the Mighty Mess,” at a free children’s book reading at 5:30 p.m. on March 5 in The Center’s front lobby. Hibbs’ event will take place prior to the Children’s Prime Time Theatre performance of “The Velveteen Rabbit” that evening.

Hibbs fondly recalls her days as a high school student and Rogers Scholar, and said her desire to become a published author was present even then. That desire guided her when she became the lead writer for a short film produced by her Rogers Scholars video production team.

“Rogers Scholars is all about gaining leadership skills,” she said, “and learning that if you set a goal, there is a way to achieve that goal.”

Hibbs is a first-grade teacher at Campbellsburg Elementary School in Henry County. As an educator, she said writing a children’s book is a natural extension of her work.

“Allie Doogledorf and the Mighty Mess” features the tale of a young girl who ignores her mother’s constant warnings to keep their house neat and clean. Allie continues to make a mess until one day she challenges her mother to an all-out battle. Allie’s mission is to make the biggest mess ever. Her mother, however, has a plan of her own to change Allie’s bad habits once and for all.

“The book teaches there are benefits to being neat and clean, and although it might be fun to be messy, being clean also has its rewards,” Hibbs said.

“Allie Doogledorf and the Mighty Mess,” published by Xlibris, is available for purchase online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Hibbs, daughter of Richard and Patty Hibbs of Somerset, will bring copies of her book to the March 5 event and will stay after the book reading to talk to attendees and sign autographs.

The pre-show event is sponsored by Sonny’s Bar-B-Q and Lake Cumberland Clear Channel.

The Center for Rural Development—the Center of Excellence for rural Kentucky and the nation—provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county primary service area of Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and is home to several statewide and national technology-based programs. For more information on programs available through The Center, visit www.centertech.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Nearly 10 years after graduating from Rogers Scholars, The Center for Rural Development’s flagship youth program, Lisa Hibbs is returning to The Center on March 5 for a book reading of her first published children’s book, “Allie Doogledorf and the Mighty Mess.” Hibbs, a first-grade teacher at Campbellsburg Elementary School in Henry County, will be reading to children and their parents at a free pre-show event, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in The Center’s front lobby prior to the Children’s Prime Time Theatre performance of “The Velveteen Rabbit.”