While maneuvering through a difficult and challenging ropes course to reach to the top of a 55-foot tower, Rogers Scholar Destini Engle of Whitley County had to trust her safety harness—and her teammates holding the safety ropes below— would not let her down.

Rogers Scholar Merry Osborne of Breathitt County also learned effective leadership comes from a desire to keep an open mind and listen to everyone, including the person in the back of the room, for ideas and possible solutions to problems.

These are some of the valuable life lessons members of the 2010 Class of Rogers Scholars will remember and apply to their lives as they continue to build their leadership and entrepreneurial skills and work to make their home communities in Southern and Eastern Kentucky a better place to live.

The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program, as seen by these examples set by this year’s graduates, is changing lives and building a brighter future for the region’s next generation of leaders.

“I have had an incredible experience at Rogers Scholars,” Meredith Thompson, 16, a rising junior at Monroe County High School, said. “The friends I have met and the lessons about leadership, entrepreneurship, and community service all will be remembered throughout my life.”

Seventy-three participants, some of the most talented, creative, and goal-oriented high school students from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky, were selected by The Center to be a part of this summer’s Rogers Scholars program.

For many of these participants and graduates, their lives will not be the same.

Rogers Scholar Annette Dangerfield of Green County already is looking at starting a recycling campaign at Green County High School. Another Scholar, Todd Yoder of Jessamine County, said he plans to get his Bible study group involved in an outreach program with local veterans so they can share stories and develop a bond of friendship.

“This program has built up my self-confidence and my pride in being from Eastern Kentucky,” Rogers Scholar Logan Finley of Lawrence County said. “I have learned the importance of education and service to my community.”

Rogers Scholars—The Center’s flagship youth program—emphasizes the development of technological skills and builds in participants a sense of leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to rural Kentucky.

“Rogers Scholars instills in young people the desire to serve their home communities and the region by assuming a leadership role, if they haven’t already, as soon as they graduate from the program,” Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, said. “These students truly represent the best and brightest minds in our region and are the next generation of leaders in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”

This summer, The Center expanded its Rogers Scholars program to give even more students in its 42-county primary service region a chance to share the experience and added a new major, healthcare, providing participants with opportunities to explore different careers in the medical profession.

“During our major, we experienced hands-on training on what it is like to work in the healthcare field,” Rogers Scholar Hannah Smith of Clay County said. “We toured Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, watched a film about brain surgery, talked to professionals, and learned the workings of a real medical practice.

“This experience allowed me to see that I truly love science,” she said.

Rogers Scholar Kyle Allen of Johnson County, and other members of the healthcare teams, worked in the science lab at Somerset Community College to dissect a pig’s heart and analyze blood samples.

Other Rogers Scholars put their skills to work to learn more about engineering and video production. The Engineering Teams used high-speed cameras to document several hands-on experiments testing their knowledge as future engineers, and the Video Production Teams wrote, produced, and even starred in a number of short films. The student-produced films were shown to family members and friends on the final day of each Rogers Scholars session at an awards and graduation program.

The 2010 Rogers Scholars program was held June 27-July 2 and again on July 11-16 on the grounds of The Center, located at 2292 South U.S. 27 (at Traffic Light No. 15) in Somerset.

Each graduate will receive an offer of a college scholarship from 14 participating colleges and universities in Kentucky, and one university in Tennessee.

“The Center is honored to share the Rogers Scholars experience with all 73 of the graduates in both the first and second summer sessions representing our largest group of participants in the history of the 12-year program,” Jessica Melton, associate director of leadership and training for The Center, said. “These students have exemplified strong leadership skills and a commitment to our region.”

The Center for Rural Development, located in Somerset, Ky., provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county 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.

Crawford, a junior at Pulaski County High School, and Speaks, a junior at Somerset High School, will continue to serve The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program as ambassadors and representatives of the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholars graduates.

They were chosen by participants in their graduating class and announced as Rogers Scholar Ambassadors on July 16 at an awards ceremony and graduation program at The Center in Somerset as the second and final week of this year’s Rogers Scholars program drew to a close.

“Both Rogers Scholars graduates have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities and will represent the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholar graduates well as Rogers Scholar Ambassadors,” Jessica Melton, associate director of leadership and training for The Center, said. “Sarah and Taylor are to be commended for the positive influence they bring to the program as the region’s future leaders.”

“Rogers Scholars has been a wonderful experience that has changed my life,” Crawford said. “I have gained more confidence in my ability to stand up and make a change in my community.”

“The Rogers Scholars program was a great learning experience as well as a way to meet other leaders from across Kentucky,” Speaks added. “I learned I can make a difference in my hometown by using leadership qualities and a sense of community pride that Rogers Scholars has helped me develop.”

Speaks said he plans to start a UNITE Club at Somerset High School to help educate students about the dangers of substance abuse.

Crawford, daughter of Arthur and Kim Crawford of Science Hill, plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

Speaks is interested in becoming an attorney. He is the son of Kelly Leigh and Jason Speaks of Somerset.

Thirty-seven students graduated from the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholars program presented by The Center for Rural Development. Each earned an offer of a college scholarship from 15 participating colleges and universities in Kentucky, including one university in Tennessee.

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: Sarah Crawford and Taylor Speaks, both from Pulaski County, have been named Rogers Scholar Ambassadors. The two rising high school juniors will continue to serve The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program as ambassadors and representatives of the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholar graduates. Crawford, daughter of Arthur and Kim Crawford of Science Hill, is a student at Pulaski County High School. Speaks, son of Kelly Leigh and Jason Speaks of Somerset, attends Somerset High School.

Cantrell, 16, a junior at Pikeville High School, was presented the Doug Reece Memorial Award on July 16 at an awards presentation in front of her graduating class at The Center in Somerset.

The award is presented in memory of the late Doug Reece, a prominent attorney in Southern and Eastern Kentucky and former chairman of the executive committee of The Center’s board of directors.

Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, and Jessica Melton, associate director of leadership and training, presented Cantrell with a handcrafted Appalachian dulcimer donated by Dr. Bruce Ayers, president of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. She also will receive a $250 scholarship to any in-state college or university as part of the award.

“I truly believe that the Rogers Scholars program is an experience of a lifetime,” Cantrell said. “Every aspect of this program is absolutely amazing.”

“Being chosen as a Rogers Scholar is an honor for the students, their schools, and their communities, as it is a highly competitive, blinded selection process,” Melton added. “These students truly represent the best and brightest minds in our region.”

Cantrell was selected by The Center—which hosts and sponsors Rogers Scholars—to join 37 rising high school juniors from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky for the second and final session of the 2010 Rogers Scholars program.

A total of 73 high school students attended this summer’s sessions of Rogers Scholars held June 27-July 2 and again from July 11-16 on the campus of The Center, located at 2292 South U.S. 27 in Somerset.

It was the largest number of participants to graduate from Rogers Scholars in the history of the 12-year program.

The Center’s board of directors created the Doug Reece Memorial Award and scholarship in his name to recognize one Rogers Scholar from each of the summer’s two graduating classes. Reece served on the board of directors beginning in 1995 and was board chairman at the time of his death in 2006.

Cantrell is the daughter of Larry and Kelli Thompson and Terry Cantrell of Pikeville.

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: Lonnie Lawson, at right, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, and Jessica Melton, at left, associate director of leadership and training, present Rogers Scholar Taryn Cantrell—recipient of the Doug Reece Memorial Award—with a handcrafted Appalachian dulcimer donated by Dr. Bruce Ayers, president of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. Cantrell, 16, a junior at Pikeville High School, also will receive a $250 scholarship to any in-state college or university through her receipt of the Doug Reece Memorial Award.

At the awards and graduation program, Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, personally congratulated Scholars on their accomplishments and presented each with a certificate signifying their completion of the program.

Lawson, speaking to graduates for the final time, encouraged them to find their passion in life and strive to do their best work every single day.

“Scholars, from this point forward, you must absolutely take an active role in your education,” he said. “Only you know what you are passionate about. Get to know yourself and be true to yourself.”

In a videotaped message to Rogers Scholars, their parents, and invited guests, U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) said he now considers each and every graduate of Rogers Scholars “an ambassador for Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”

He challenged Scholars to continue to build on what they had learned in the program and strengthen their skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, creativity, and team-building.

Prior to graduation, Lawson and Jessica Melton, associate director of leadership and training for The Center, presented Pike County’s Taryn Cantrell with the Doug Reece Memorial Award for having the highest-scoring application among students who participated in the second session of this summer’s Rogers Scholars program. She also received a handcrafted Appalachian dulcimer donated by Dr. Bruce Ayers, president of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, and a $250 scholarship to any in-state college or university as part of the award.

In addition, Sarah Crawford and Taylor Speaks, both from Pulaski County, were selected by peers in their class to represent them as Rogers Scholar Ambassadors. They will continue to serve the program as representatives of the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholar graduates.

Graduates of this class and their respective majors included:

• Engineering: Carlie Hall, Cody Epperson, Hunter Williams, Jarrod Wesley, Lauren Little, Matthew Smith, Morgan Culver, Natalie Land, Olivia Brown, Sherry Henderson, Taylor Speaks, William Cox, and Annette Dangerfield.
• Healthcare: Andi Fields, Hannah Smith, Josh Parker, Kristyn Densmore, Sarah Crawford, Taylor Calebs, Ben Meadows, Taryn Cantrell, Kyle Allen, Madyson Hutchinson, Justin Epperson, and Chloe Whitaker.
• Video Production: Macey Culver, Sarah Woodall, Holly Bullock, Todd Yoder, Bailey Lake, Courtney Turner, Erin Flowers, Jared Johnson, Jordan Penley, Julieann Helton, Lindsey Coomer, and Tanner Elrod.

Each team delivered student-produced presentations—including several short films produced by Rogers Scholar video production teams—highlighting their work in their declared majors. During the week, Scholars receive 12 hours of professional development training and work hands-on with professionals in those fields.

This summer, The Center expanded enrollment in the Rogers Scholars program to give 13 additional students the chance to share the experience and added a new major, healthcare, allowing participants to explore career options in the medical profession.

A total of 73 high school students—all rising juniors—attended this summer’s sessions of Rogers Scholars held June 27-July 2 and again from July 11-16 on the campus of The Center, located at 2292 South U.S. 27 in Somerset.

It was the largest number of participants to graduate from Rogers Scholars in the history of the 12-year program.

Rogers Scholars—The Center’s flagship youth program—emphasizes the development of technological skills and builds in participants a sense of leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to rural Kentucky.

The Center for Rural Development, located in Somerset, Ky., provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county 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 1: Rogers Scholars Courtney Turner and Jared Johnson break out in dance at the conclusion of the awards and graduation program held July 16 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset. After the Scholars received their certificates of completion from Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, some of the Scholars couldn’t contain their excitement and began to dance as the music played, bringing an end to a week of fun, adventure, and fellowship among 37 rising high school juniors selected as 2010 Rogers Scholars from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

Photo Caption 2: At an awards and graduation program held July 16 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, encouraged the second class of 2010 Rogers Scholars to find their passion in life and strive to do their best work every single day. Thirty-seven rising high school juniors from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky graduated from the second and final summer session of this year’s Rogers Scholars.

But that is exactly what Dr. William T. Luckey, president of Lindsey Wilson College, did as he spoke July 14 to the second summer 2010 session of The Center for Rural Development’s prestigious Rogers Scholars youth program.

“I am so convinced that you have greatness within you … that I am here today to offer a full-tuition college scholarship to every single one of you,” Luckey told the 37 members of Rogers Scholars class currently at The Center for the one-week leadership camp.

The 36 members of The Center’s first summer 2010 session of Rogers Scholars, who graduated July 2, are also eligible for the scholarship offer.

Speaking at a luncheon meeting before Rogers Scholars and The Center’s staff, Luckey made this incredible offer to some of the best and brightest students from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky selected by The Center as 2010 Rogers Scholars.

A one-year, full-tuition scholarship to Lindsey Wilson College, located in South Central Kentucky in Columbia, is valued at $18,720.

Accounting for an anticipated four percent increase in college tuition between now and when Rogers Scholar graduates complete their high school education, Luckey said that same college scholarship will increase in value to around $21,000 or more.

Over the next four years, the total value of the scholarship offer will reach close to $85,000 for college education for each Rogers Scholars graduate willing to take Luckey up on his offer.

“That’s not a bad week’s work for you to come here and be a part of this program,” he said.

Luckey, who became the eighth president of Lindsey Wilson College in 1998, challenged Rogers Scholars to continue to push themselves, not only to be the best, but to seek a higher level—to be “great”—in everything they do in life.

“You are a rising star,” he said. “You are a future leader in your home county, your school, your community, and in your family. One thing is certain: There is greatness within you.”

Rogers Scholars—The Center’s flagship youth program—emphasizes the development of technological skills and builds in participants a sense of leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to rural Kentucky.

Each graduate will also receive an offer of a college scholarship from 14 participating colleges and universities in Kentucky, and one university in Tennessee.

During the two week-long summer sessions, 73 high school students from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky have had the opportunity to experience Rogers Scholars and grow their leadership and entrepreneurial skills as the region’s next generation of leaders.

The Class of 2010 has been the largest in the history of the 12-year-program.

The Center for Rural Development, located in Somerset, Ky., provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county 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: Following his presentation, Dr. William T. Luckey, second from left, president of Lindsey Wilson College, took some time to meet each of the Rogers Scholars. Callie Hall of Wolfe County shakes Luckey’s hand while Rogers Scholars Olivia Brown of Pulaski County and Lauren Little of Leslie County wait in line to greet the college president. Standing nearby at left is Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center. Luckey, who spoke to the second class of Rogers Scholars on July 14 at The Center in Somerset, announced Lindsey Wilson College will offer all 73 graduates of Rogers Scholars program a full-tuition scholarship to the four-year liberal arts college, located in South Central Kentucky in Adair County.

According to University of the Cumberlands official Dr. Michael Colegrove, U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05)—whose goal for a brighter future for the young people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky formed the foundation for The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars youth program—is chief among those leaders.

“I think we have a good example of a statesman in Congressman Rogers,” Colegrove, vice president for student services and director of leadership studies, told the second 2010 class of Rogers Scholars students on July 15 at The Center in Somerset. “He is a very visionary individual in programs such as this.”

Colegrove, who spoke on the characteristics of an effective leader, encouraged the 37 rising high school juniors and Rogers Scholar participants to look around them, even in the pages of history books, to find role models in the area of leadership.

Several key historical figures, he added, possess the five critical characteristics leaders should exhibit: creativity, courage, visibility, perseverance, and driving motivation. His examples included Walter “Walt” Disney, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Thomas Edison.

Colegrove also presented each Scholar with a copy of his book, “Climbing the Pyramid: The How To’s of Leadership,” which summarizes his strategies for motivated and effective leadership.

The Center for Rural Development, located in Somerset, Ky., provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county 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: Dr. Michael Colegrove, vice president for student services and director of leadership studies at the University of the Cumberlands, a private, liberal arts college in Williamsburg, entertains the second 2010 class of Rogers Scholars with a card trick with the help of Rogers Scholar Chloe Whitaker of Lincoln County. Colegrove went on to discuss leadership characteristics with the 37 rising high school juniors currently in the Scholars program on July 15 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

During the week, Scholars receive 12 hours of hands-on instruction in one of three declared majors—engineering, video production, and the newest offering, healthcare.

Each team works with professionals in their respective fields to explore their majors and delivers a short presentation on the last day of the program at an awards and graduation program to be held at 7 p.m. in The Center’s performing arts theatre.

On Thursday, Scholars also participated in a live, interactive videoconference with NASA officials courtesy of The Center for Rural Development’s award-winning CenterNET2 videoconferencing network.

Earlier in the day, guest speaker Dr. Michael Colegrove, vice president for student services and director of leadership studies at the University of the Cumberlands, encouraged the 37 rising high school juniors and members of the second class of Rogers Scholars to look around them, even in the pages of history books, to find role models in the area of leadership.

He presented each Scholar with a copy of his book, “Climbing the Pyramid:The How To’s of Leadership,” containing his advice for motivated and effective leadership.

Parents can follow Scholars and view a photo library of some of their activities by logging on Rogers Scholars’ website at www.rogersscholars.com.

During the week, Scholars receive 12 hours of hands-on instruction in their declared majors working side-by-side with professionals to learn more about the work of engineers, how to produce a short film, and different careers in the medical profession.

The healthcare team visited Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, a 227-bed acute-care facility in Somerset, to get a better understanding of the career options available in healthcare and to see professionals at work in a medical setting.

Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, presented the first of a two-part presentation on community service, and Scholars put what they learned into action later on Wednesday night by participating in a PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment) cleanup project on the shores of Lake Cumberland at Conley Bottom Marina and Resort.

Earlier in the day, guest speaker  Dr. William T. Luckey, president of Lindsey Wilson College, offered Rogers Scholars—including all 73 Scholars in both summer sessions—a full-tuition college scholarship to the four-year liberal arts college, located in South Central Kentucky in Adair County.

Scholars will continue working on their declared majors on Thursday and will participate in a live, interactive videoconference with NASA officials.

Parents can follow Scholars and view a photo library of some of their activities by logging on Rogers Scholars’ website at www.rogersscholars.com.