West Kentucky News

West Kentucky Community and Technical College will honor more than 700 candidates for graduation during commencement ceremonies at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center. There will also be a pinning ceremony held prior to commencement at 11:30 a.m. for nursing students to receive pins.

Paducah City Commissioner Sandra Wilson will be the keynote speaker for both ceremonies. Wilson, a Calloway County native and Murray State University graduate, became president of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce in June 2013. She currently serves on the boards of the Carson Center, Market House Theatre, and the Paducah McCracken County Industrial Development Authority. Earlier in her career, Wilson worked 26 years as the public affairs manager at the NewPage Paper Mill in Wickliffe.

WKCTC students Tara Isbell of Graves County and Clarissa Pease of McCracken County will be the student speakers. They were named to the 2015 KCTCS All-Academic Team, which recognizes outstanding students of community and technical colleges.

“I am humbled and privileged to be a representative of the May 2015 class of WKCTC at the graduation ceremonies and hope that my words ring true with many of my classmates,” said Isbell.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Murray State University in 2011, Isbell said she decided to pursue a career in nursing. “From a young age, I have always had a desire to serve others through medicine, and I chose WKCTC for my nursing degree because of the school’s outstanding reputation,” said Isbell. She said her affinity for caring was both ingrained and nurtured by the nurses in her family including her mother, grandmothers and aunts.

During her time at WKCTC, Isbell said she has felt nothing but welcomed and embraced by the nursing faculty and other students. “I truly believe they (the faculty) are passionate about helping students pursue their dreams to become outstanding nurses,” said Isbell, who is graduating with an associate in applied science degree and plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing.

Pease started college the first time in 2001, but took some time off to get married and start a family. “I always knew I would go back but kept telling myself ‘next semester,’” said the 32-year-old mother of three.

Pease worked as a certified nursing assistant for ten years and also helped care for the five special needs children her mother adopted. “That made me decide I wanted to be a special education teacher,” she said.

Pease returned to WKCTC in spring 2013 and is graduating with an associate in arts degree. “It has been an amazing experience and I am very honored to have been chosen to the KCTCS All-Academic Team and to speak at graduation,” said Pease, who plans to transfer to Murray State this fall.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is currently underway. Call
1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) sculpture students are creating a unique exhibition titled “Potential of Infusion” that will be installed on the third floor of the former Rhoads Burford Building, a 107-year-old property at 407 Jefferson Street that now houses Paducah Distilled Spirits. The public is invited to a free opening reception for the exhibit Friday, May 8 from 5 – 7 p.m.

The exhibition, which is the final project in a class taught by PSAD’s Sculpture-in Residence Cody Arnall, will feature the artwork of Grace Yocum of Massac County, Lillie Poindexter of Livingston County and Joseph Kelly, Char Downs, Eunsil Leem and Elliot Schiff of McCracken County.

“The students themselves discovered the space and reached out to Paducah Distilled Spirits, who were pleased to host the show and support the art school,” said Arnall. He said the project and exhibition will allow students the opportunity to create works that explore contemporary sculpture and practices in an unconventional space and outside the traditional gallery experience.

“Through the creation of works of art made for a specific space rather than made and displayed in a gallery, installation art challenges how viewers interact with and view art,” said Paul Aho, PSAD dean.

“Potential of Infusion” will remain on display through Saturday, May 16 with viewing by appointment only. Call 618-921-8109 to schedule a viewing after May 8.

PSAD, a division of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, offers an Associate in Fine Arts degree, as well as studio art classes for students of all levels and disciplines. Classes are offered on WKCTC’s campus, 409 Broadway in downtown Paducah and 919 Madison Street in Lowertown.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Need something for your kids to do this summer? West Kentucky Community and Technical College will offer summer camps designed to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well spark an interest in their creative side. The camps are filling up quickly so early registration is encouraged.

Students will have the opportunity to explore exciting engineering and scientific subjects through demonstrations, classroom presentations, hands-on activities, field trips, and contacts with professionals in the STEM fields. The cost for the following two camps is $100 per student with maximum of 20 students in each camp.

Boys Only Camp (seventh-twelfth grade)
June 1-5, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Crounse Hall, Room 222

No Boys Allowed Camp (seventh-twelfth grade)
June 15-19, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Allied Health Building, Room W205

Students will explore their creative side while being taught the elements of play production and performance. Participants will build the sets for two shows and participate in two one-act performances Friday, June 12 on the Student Center stage. The cost for the drama camp is $100 per student. A maximum of 45 students can participate in the camp.

Creative Exploration Drama Camp (sixth-eleventh grade)
June 8-12, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Student Center/Clemens Fine Arts Center

Each five-day camp includes breakfast, lunch, and a light snack.

Register now by calling (270) 534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/category/category.aspx?C=&S=30.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Chef Patrick Fletcher was named the 2015 Teacher of the Year by students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College Wednesday.

Chef Fletcher, culinary arts program coordinator, selected from 25 faculty members who were also nominated by the college’s student body for the award. Nominees had to an assistant professor status or above and have been a member of the WKCTC teaching faculty for the past three years.

In nominating Chef Fletcher, one student described him as a “tremendous instructor!” “He makes learning so much fun and is very knowledgeable in his field,” the student wrote. “He goes above and beyond to make sure that we get as much experience in the culinary arts as we can.”

Chef Fletcher, a McCracken County resident, said he was touched to hear about the changes he is making in the lives of his students. “I’ve also kept in touch with many of the graduates from the culinary program, and it’s so rewarding to know I played a part in helping them do what they want to do in life,” he said.

During his acceptance speech Wednesday, Chef Fletcher thanked his parents, Frank and Sue Fletcher, for raising him with a musical background. “I’ve always been able to express myself through music and food,” he said. “Music instilled creativity in me, and it was a perfect segue to follow into the culinary arts.”

Fletcher joined the WKCTC faculty in 2009. He earned an associate degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University in Denver, Colo., and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah (CLC) and Murray State University (MSU) have joined forces to provide an introductory rocketry program for Special Olympians May 8 and May 16.

The program, sponsored by the MSU Office of Regional Outreach, will bring members of the McCracken County Special Olympics to the Challenger Learning Center on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) May 8. Members of the Murray/Calloway County Special Olympics will visit the center May 16.

The program will be held from 9 – 11:30 a.m. and will offer the participants an introduction to basic rocketry including making and launching a rocket that each participant will get to keep as a souvenir. The rocket launches will be held from 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. outside CLC.

“We are so thrilled to provide this STEM learning experience for Special Olympics. The MSU sponsorship provided us funding to give the Special Olympians a program that is unique and memorable,” said Mellisa Duncan, CLC director.

The media is encouraged to attend.

For more information about the center, visit clcpaducah.org.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College faculty members Dr. Doug Pruitt and Greta Henry were among six employees recognized during a faculty and staff awards reception Friday, May 1.

Dr. Pruitt, an psychology professor at WKCTC, received the Phelps Award, named in memory of Finis Sargent Phelps and Florence Grubbs Phelps that was established at the college in 1991. The purpose of this award is to emphasize quality, promote academic excellence, and reward competence in teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences disciplines. Dr. Pruitt, a Paducah resident, joined the WKCTC faculty in 2001. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California State University in San Bernardino, Ca., and a PhD. in psychology from Bowling Green University in Ohio. Dr. Pruitt was named the 2014 Teacher of the Year by the WKCTC student body.

Greta Henry of Benton received the Paducah Junior College Faculty Award, which was established in 1999 and recognizes quality, competence and excellence in teaching in a technical field. Henry began working at WKCTC in 2012 and is the program coordinator for the college’s Interdisciplinary Early Childhood program (IEC). She earned a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in Ohio and a master’s from Murray State University. Henry has dramatically increased the enrollment in the IEC program to 156 students.

WKCTC recently established the Adjunct Faculty Award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions and achievements of a dedicated adjunct faculty member who provides exemplary service to WKCTC students. Trena Taylor of Paducah, the inaugural recipient of award, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics from Murray State University. Taylor has taught math part-time at the college since 2005, and she continually strives to help her students be successful at WKCTC.

In addition, Dr. Karen Hlinka of Benton, Mason Tudor of Murray and Alexandra Turley of Paducah were recognized as WKCTC’s nominees for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s (KCTCS) 2015 New Horizon Award.

Each KCTCS college nominates one administrative member, one faculty member, and one staff member for the award by their fellow college employees. One faculty member, one administrative member, and one staff member from the 48 people nominated within the KCTCS system will be chosen as the top staff and faculty representative at a special awards banquet to be held later this month.

Tudor, tutoring center director, was nominated in the administrative category. Tudor, who joined the college in 2007, is responsible for the supervision and management of the tutoring center where he oversees peer tutoring for approximately 46 different subjects.

Nominated in the faculty category, Hlinka, a biology professor and dean of the math and science division, joined the college in 1994. She is continually looking for new ways to provide student access and success that are moving her division, WKCTC and KCTCS toward fulfilling their goals.

Turley, who is the senior administrative assistant for Workforce Solutions, was nominated in the staff category. Turley has recently assumed responsibility for the operations of the main office of Workforce Solutions.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

(L to R) Dr. Karen Hlinka of Benton, KCTCS 2015 New Horizons nominee (faculty); Alexandra Turley of Paducah, KCTCS 2015 New Horizons Award nominee (staff); Mason Tudor of Murray, KCTCS 2015 New Horizons nominee (administrative staff); Paducah residents Trena Taylor, WKCTC Adjunct Faculty Award recipient and Dr. Doug Pruitt, 2015 Phelps Award recipient; and Greta Henry of Benton, 2015 Paducah Junior College Faculty Award recipient.

Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) will host a student exhibition of paintings and design projects at Etcetera Coffee House during a free opening reception May 6 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Under the instruction of Associate Professor of Painting BiLan Liao, this annual exhibition, now in its sixth year, provides an additional venue for PSAD painting, 2–D design and Introduction to Art students to exhibit their work in a professional context.

“Students work hard throughout the year. This exhibition provides a chance for them to look back on their work and be proud of what they have accomplished,” says Liao. “The Paducah community can also be proud of their art school and celebrate with these students.”

The reception is free and open to the public. Etcetera Coffee House is located at 320 North 6 Street in downtown Paducah. The works will remain on display through June 6.

PSAD, a division of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, offers an Associate in Fine Arts degree, as well as studio art classes for students of all levels and disciplines. Classes are offered on WKCTC’s campus, 409 Broadway in downtown Paducah and 919 Madison Street in Lowertown.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Two Paducah young adults will be honored as the first Challenger Champions at the Challenger Learning Center May 15 on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

The Challenger Champions was created to honor outstanding individuals who have attended the program during their childhood and then gone on to support the center as they got older. Paducah’s Garrett Garneau and Gammon Long will be the first Challenger Champions honored during a special, invitation only celebration May 15.

The media is encouraged to attend the celebration.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Community Christian Academy (CCA) middle school science teacher Joyce Kratz, was named the 2014-2015 Challenger Learning Center at Paducah’s (CLC) Outstanding Educator during a surprise presentation during her sixth grade science class May 4.

During the presentation, Kratz, the center’s ninth outstanding educator, received a framed certificate and a $100 gift certificate for science and math supplies donated by Travis School Equipment in Draffenville. In addition, CCA receives one free mission for the 2015-2016 school year to the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah.

“The Challenger Learning Center program is a comprehensive educational experience for students,” said Mellisa Duncan, CLC director. “We created this annual award to show our appreciation to the educators who help make our program so successful, and we were excited to present this award to Ms. Kratz.”

Anna Thomas, CCA principal, nominated Kratz for this award because “she is a genuine and patient teacher who brings her faith into the classroom on a daily basis. She is also very organized and thorough,” said Thomas.

Award criteria included showing enthusiasm for math, science and/or technology education and incorporating innovative teaching strategies into classroom curriculum.

The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah, located on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, is one in a network of over 40 centers worldwide. The concept of the Challenger Centers came from the families of the astronauts lost in the Challenger accident.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

This summer, West Kentucky Community and Technical College is offering several Extreme LEGO Camps and is introducing a camp that adds the element of art to science, technology and math (STEAM) principles.

Each five-day course will be held in the Emerging Technology Center from the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack will be provided each day.

LEGO We-Do Robotics Construction
First and Second Grade
June 1 – 5 and June 15 – 19
The LEGO We-Do Robotics Construction course is designed for first through second graders and provides an easy-to-use construction set that introduces the students to robotics. Students will build LEGO models featuring working motors and sensors. When the set is combined with the We-Do Robotics Activity Pack, students will explore a series of cross-curricular, theme-based activities while developing their STEM skills, as well as language and literacy.

LEGO Robotics NXT Mindstorm
Fifth and Sixth Grade
June 22 – 26
Students will make robots move, talk and respond at their command. Through the use of second generation LEGO robotics (NXT Mindstorm) students will be challenged with numerous projects and exercises. They will use this hands-on environment to apply their creativity and programming skills to see the STEM connection to the world of robotics.

LEGO EV3 Robotics Controller
Seventh and Eighth Grade
June 8 – 12
Students will learn to control LEGO EV3 robots by developing software-programming skills in a STEM based environment. Students will discover the “magic” of robotics and will be challenged to solve three real robotic engineering problems.

The cost for the four camps listed above is $225 each.

Introduction to STEAM
Ninth and Tenth Grade
June 22 – 26

Students will learn to apply technologies used by engineers and graphic artists including using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to create 3-D objects. Students will also create a real world object using a 3-D printer and explore computer-programming languages associated with STEAM careers. This hands-on camp meets from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost of this camp is $275.

Early registration is encouraged. Register by calling (270) 534-33335 or register here.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Greta Henry of Benton recently received the Dr. Nancy Lovett Award for Excellence in honor of her work in early childhood education. Henry is the program coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program (IECE) at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

The regional award is presented each year to an early childhood professional who has shown commitment and dedication to promoting a positive impact on young children, families, child care providers and the community through advocacy efforts, professional involvement, educating others and participating in community partnerships. Recipients are nominated by fellow childhood professionals and are recognized during the annual West Kentucky Association for Early Childhood Education Spring Institute conference, which was held at WKCTC last month.

Henry said she was overwhelmed to have been selected for the award because it’s the highest honor a professional in the early childhood field can receive in western Kentucky. “I have been inspired by the founder of the award, Dr. Nancy Lovett, to always strive for the voice of our community’s youngest citizens – the children,” said Henry. “My efforts all express my passion and dedication to childhood education. Receiving the award is not just a milestone in my career, but a reflection of the students at WKCTC and area professionals who are making a difference in the lives of young children, families and the community.”

Henry, who began working at WKCTC in 2012, has dramatically increased the enrollment in the IECE program to 156 students.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Georgiana Roberts made a promise to her father—a promise to return to college, to earn a degree, and to pursue a career fueled by her passion to help others. She had taken classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College after graduating from Graves County High School in 2006, but took time off to take care of her father who lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease and cancer last May. Roberts then returned to WKCTC in fall 2014 to fulfill her promise.

As a nontraditional student, Roberts said she was intimidated at first, but quickly realized WKCTC was more than a college campus. It is a community that has helped her flourish. Now less than a year later, Roberts has been selected as the WKCTC April Student of the Month.

“Becoming involved on campus makes you part of the WKCTC community. I knew I not only wanted to gain knowledge from the courses I took, but also develop my leadership skills,” said the 27-year-old Graves County native. “My experiences with the many wonderful faculty and staff members will be invaluable to my future successes. I am humbled and ecstatic to receive this honor because a year ago I would have never thought it was possible.”

During her time at WKCTC, Roberts has served at Phi Theta Kappa president and has recently been elected the upcoming Student Government Association president beginning in fall 2015. She is a student worker and peer mentor in the college’s Trio Student Support Services.

“That old adage that says ‘If you want to get something done, ask a busy person’ definitely defines Georgiana,” said Gail Bachuss, Trio Student Support Services director. “I often wonder how she manages to do all she does, with the quality of work she produces. As our student worker she has displayed a work ethic, initiative and dependability that many people never reach their entire life.”

Roberts, who has also received Trio tutoring services, said the faculty and staff has gone above and beyond to make sure she fully understood her subjects. “There are not enough words to express how the faculty and staff have impacted my journey.”

Roberts will graduate from WKCTC with an associate in arts degree in spring 2016 and will transfer to a four-year university that fall. She plans to continue her education to earn a doctorate degree in psychology and hopes to become a Christian counselor.

“I also want to be an example for other nontraditional students, for individuals that have given up on prior dreams, and for students in general on this campus,” said Roberts. “I hope they see that their educational journey is not one they must take alone. WKCTC has many faculty and staff that are willing to walk the journey with them and offer guidance and support along the way.”

The Student of the Month program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of students on campus. Individuals selected must be currently enrolled at WKCTC and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and are nominated on the basis of exceptional performance, personal attributes, academic excellence and active participation in various student organizational activities.

Student of the Month recipients receive $100, a certificate of excellence, recognition on the WKCTC Facebook page, campus announcements and Web site. Recipients are also recognized by Pepsi MidAmerica and receive one free month's supply of their favorite Pepsi product.

Tango, Hip Hop and Salsa your way to better fitness with Zumba classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College beginning June 1.

Zumba is a dance fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun! The music has beat and tempo changes that move the workout from one toning, strengthening or cardio move to another, and targets every major muscle group in the body. Zumba uses dance styles such as Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Hip Hop, Tango, and more.

The 12-week class meets every Monday evening from 4:45-5:45 in the Haws Gymnasium. The cost is $20. The class begins June 1 and ends August 17.

To register call (270) 534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/category/category.aspx?C=&S=37

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call?1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Rockets flew high at the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah (CLC) this past Friday when seventeen athletes from the West Kentucky Special Olympics became a team of rocket engineers.

On their first trip to the center, which was sponsored by the Murray State University Office of Regional Outreach, the Special Olympians were ecstatic to be astronauts flying a mission in the space station and engineers building their own rockets.

“As we were building the rockets, I thought this is so neat,” said David LeNeave, who has competed in the Special Olympics for the past 20 years. “To me, as an athlete, it was fun and interesting to learn about space and rockets and I’d like to come back here and do this again.”

Randy Wiersma, local coordinator of the West Kentucky Special Olympics, said the interaction between the kids and the CLC staff was phenomenal. “I’m amazed. We weren’t sure if space was going to be a big deal to these kids, but when we got here, they were all so excited,” said Wiersma.

With the help of the CLC staff, LeNeave and the other 16 Special Olympians, built their small yet powerful rockets, and after receiving the safety instructions from CLC Director Mellisa Duncan, the rocket team went outside and began the countdown to launch.

As Duncan hooked up the launch button box to the launch pad, participants waited in anticipation for their turn to push their button that launched their rocket high into the air. As each rocket blasted off, everyone clapped and shouted with excitement.

Before Richie Dittsworth got ready to launch his rocket, he stopped to sing the national anthem quieting the crowd. “I was in tears as Richie sang,” said Duncan. “It was another special moment of the day – a day that is the highlight of my career at the center.”

MSU Executive Director Office of Regional Outreach Gina Winchester said the goal of her office is to support events that are regional and educational in nature and are new and innovative. “This collaboration between MSU and the Challenger Learning Center was the perfect fit.” The next event with the Murray-Calloway Special Olympians is already being planned for this fall.

For more information about the center, visit clcpaducah.org.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

You can now see the this year’s nursing pinning and commencement ceremonies on the following YouTube links.

You can also see the ceremonies on Paducah-2. Check the the Channel 2 TV schedule.

2015 Nursing Pinning Ceremony

2015 Commencement Ceremony (2 p.m.)

2015 Commencement Ceremony (5 p.m.)

Summer is just around the corner and West Kentucky Community and Technical College will be offering area youth the chance to have fun in the kitchen with a variety of culinary camps that begin next month.

Kristen Whelan with Campus Culinary Services at WKCTC will be the camp instructor for “Playing with Your Food” and “Teens Chefs in the Kitchen.” Each weeklong camp includes five daily culinary themes and will be held from 8 a.m. to noon in the Anderson Technical Building, Room 159.

The cost is $40 for each of the five days in the camps. Participants can choose to sign up for individual sessions. Please bring an apron and wear closed toed shoes.

Playing with your Food, Sixth-Tenth Graders

Pizza Party – June 8
If it’s not delivery, it’s homemade! Participants will learn to make pizza dough and sauce from scratch. Next they will make a dessert pizza followed by enjoying the tasty creations at the end of the day.

Sweet Treats – June 9
It’s time for students to indulge their sweet tooth by learning to bake cupcakes and cookies from scratch.

Summer Picnic – June 10
Learn to make some quick, healthy and yummy dishes perfect for a summer lunch.

Baking Bread – June 11
What’s the best thing since sliced bread? Fresh homemade bread! Learn the ins and outs of making yeast breads.

A Meal for Mom and Dad – June 12
Learn to make a surprisingly easy and impressive meal that Mom and Dad and the rest of the family are sure to love.

Teen Chefs in the Kitchen, Eighth – Twelfth Graders

Very Veggie – June 22
Teen chefs will learn to make vegetable stock, which will be the base for the Very Veggie Soup later in the day. Next they will learn to prepare Chicken with Roasted Spaghetti Squash and fresh Peach napoleons.

South of the Border – June 23
Pairing black beans and sweet potatoes for an out of this world meatless nachos dish is the first recipe of the day. Participants will then prepare Cilantro Sour Cream, fresh Pico de Gallo and Guacamole and wash it all down with a tall glass of Aqua Fresca (fruit water) created from ripe cantaloupe.

Worldly Wednesday – June 24
Learn to prepare foods with a slightly Eastern flair. After preparing Wasabi Crunch Salmon with sautéed red cabbage and sugar snap peas, students will prepare a lemony whole wheat couscous dish and finish with Green Tea and White Chocolate Wontons.

Home-Style Recipe Makeover – June 25
Prepare traditional comfort foods with a twist. After preparing Carrot and Sundried Tomato Meatloaf, Faux Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Asparagus, participants will finish the meal with light and fluffy strawberry shortcakes.

Fresh Cut Friday – June 26
Teen chefs will prepare Molasses Glazed Sticky Pork with Roasted Green Beans that has a decidedly Asian flair. They will also prepare Gingered Brown Rice with Carrots and Scallions and finish the day with a light banana dessert.

To register for the culinary summer camps, Call (270) 534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/category/category.aspx?C=&S=30.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

During a special reception at the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah May 15, Garrett Garneau and Gammon Long of Paducah were recognized as the first Challenger Champions.

“This is a great honor to be one of the first Challenger Champions, and I hope it contributes to more people doing this and being interested in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields,” said 19-year-old Garneau.

The new program honors outstanding individuals like Garneau and Long that have attended the program during their childhood and then gone on to support the center as they got older. Challenger Champions are also college or career oriented with an interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

Both young men volunteered at the center for various summer camps and were “great male role models, showing the kids it is cool to like science,” said CLC Director Mellisa Duncan.
Garneau and Long remember their first CLC experiences with appreciation and have now moved on to new paths that continue their love of science.

When Garneau was in the fifth and sixth grade at Clark Elementary School, he made his first visits to the center with his science classes. Rendezvous with a Comet and Return to the Moon missions made a lasting impression on him. “I always enjoyed things about space as a kid. The Challenger Learning Center provided me with hands-on experiences that made science concrete for me.”

Now majoring in business with a minor in neuroscience and creative writing at Vanderbilt University, Garneau hopes to someday write a science fiction novel. “I want to write a book that sends a scientific message that will also help people learn about science.”

On his first trip the CLC, 20-year-old Gammon Long remembers his class from Concord Elementary also flying a mission to intercept a comet. “I think I dreamed of space exploration and travel for weeks after. As I grew older, my dreams evolved into more,” said Long. “I began looking at space travel from a different perspective. I no longer wanted to be the guy in the space suit but the guy who builds the rockets that go in space.”

A junior at Mississippi State University majoring in aerospace engineering with an emphasis in astronautical engineering, Long said he is getting closer and closer to seeing his dreams coming true.

“Being here today means a lot because I’ve always had an interest in pursuing the aerospace field and now that I’ve been able to help inspire other people to do that with working in the camps, I’m being lifted back up again by the Challenger Center like I was in the fifth grade,” said Long.

A new Challenger Champion will be honored each year as the CLC’s version of a “Hall of Fame” continues to grow.

For more information about the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah located on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, visit clcpaducah.org.

Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 17.

Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., has issued a statement that was published in the Congressional Record on May 15 praising the West Kentucky Community and Technical College. The congressman is addressing the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) on recently being named one of the top three community colleges in America by the Aspen Institute.

Selected from 1,123 community colleges nationwide, this marks the second time WKCTC has been chosen as Finalist-with-Distinction in addition to having been ranked as a top ten finalist every year the Aspen Prize has been awarded since its launch in 2011.

Created by the Aspen Institute, The Aspen Prize is the nation's preeminent recognition of high achievement and performance in America's community colleges and is awarded every two years. The prize recognizes institutions for outstanding outcomes in four areas: student learning; certificate and degree completion; employment and earnings; and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.

WKCTC students graduate and transfer at rates that exceed the national average by eight percent and asserts no gap in graduation rates between minorities and other students--a rare occurrence in most of the nation's colleges and universities. Working to draw first-generation students into college, WKCTC faculty and staff consistently track student learning and completion outcomes and use this data to improve teaching and guidance practices. These efforts have resulted in an increase in student retention and degree completion, and place them among the very best in graduating students who are prepared for meaningful employment and/or success after transferring to a four-year institution.

WKCTC has been a primary player in efforts to expand economic growth, from a high-tech industrialized training facility for area companies to adding programs in anticipated growth areas, including marine technology, logistics and operations management.

Community colleges today enroll more than 40 percent of all U.S. undergraduates--seven million students--working toward degrees and certificates. While fewer than half of all community college students graduate nationwide, Aspen Prize finalist institutions demonstrate community colleges can help students achieve higher levels of success while in college and after they graduate.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College, located in Paducah, Kentucky, stands among these leading institutions and I am pleased to see its success once again being acknowledged.

We would like to share information about our "Maximize Your Academic Potential (MAP) Summer Workshop Series. This series of FREE CLASSES will begin on June 1 and will end on June 24. Classes held on Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. These free classes are designed to help individuals score higher on the COMPASS test in order to bypass remedial courses. See attachment for details and requirements. Call 270-534-3451 to sign up today!

Paducah School of Art and Design is offering a two-week summer art program that will provide high school students with a college-level experience in jewelry and metals, ceramics, digital photography and painting.

Participants will learn to express their creativity in jewelry and metals and ceramics June 8-12 at 919 Madison Street in Lowertown and in digital photography and painting June 15-19 at 409 Broadway in downtown Paducah. Students will get to take home finished works in each discipline.

Enrollment is limited to 16 students, with the possibility of another group being added should demand exceed that number.

Summer art program instructors are Nich Daunis, ceramics; Sarah Renshaw, small metals; Anita Rodriguez-Fitch, painting and Paul Aho, digital photography.

The cost of the two-week program is $375, which includes all art materials. A boxed lunch is offered for an additional $100 for the two weeks. The meals will be delivered from various area restaurants.

Register for the summer art program by calling (270) 534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/category/category.aspx?C=&S=30.

Registrations for PSAD Summer Master Artist Workshops are still being accepted. Visit paducahschoolofartanddesign.org for more information and to sign up.

PSAD, a division of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, offers an Associate in Fine Arts degree, as well as studio art classes for students of all levels and disciplines. Classes are offered on WKCTC’s campus, 409 Broadway and 919 Madison Street.

WKCTC to Hold Spring 2015 Commencement May 9

PSAD Students Creating New Sculpture Exhibition Experience

STEM and Drama Camps Offered at WKCTC This Summer

Chef Fletcher Selected WKCTC Teacher of Year

Challenger Learning Center Partnering with MSU for Special Olympics Rocketry Program

WKCTC Honors Faculty and Staff at Awards Reception

PSAD Student Exhibition at Etcetera Coffee House

Challenger Learning Center’s New Program Honors Young Supporters

Community Christian Academy Teacher Selected as Challenger Learning Center Outstanding Educator

WKCTC Builds on Science Learning with LEGO Camps

WKCTC’s Greta Henry Presented Regional Early Childhood Education Award

Georgiana Roberts selected as WKCTC Student of the Month

Sign Up Early for Zumba Classes at WKCTC

Special Olympians Build and Launch Rockets at Challenger Learning Center

Nursing Pinning and Commencement Ceremonies Online and Paducah-2

2015 Nursing Pinning Ceremony

2015 Commencement Ceremony (2 p.m.)

2015 Commencement Ceremony (5 p.m.)

Summer Culinary Camps at WKCTC Begin Next Month

Challenger Learning Center Recognizes First Challenger Champions

Whitfield Issues Statement Praising West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Maximize Your Potential (MAP) Summer Workshops – Begin June 1

PSAD Offering Summer College-Level Program to High School Students