West Kentucky News

Starting a beehive can be simpler and faster than one might think. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is offering a meeting October 27 to see who might be interested in a future class that would teach the art of beekeeping.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Emerging Technology Center, Room 140. The cost for the meeting is $10.

Kent Williams, certified master beekeeper with the Eastern Apiculture Society, will discuss the importance of bees to our society, basic equipment needed to have a hive, beekeeping preparation and more. No hives will be at this meeting.

“The interest in beekeeping and producing one’s own honey is growing in our region, and we want to find out how many would like to have a class offered in the future,” said Kevin O’Neill, WKCTC community education director. “If we get enough interest, we will develop “Beekeeping 101” for the community in the spring.”

Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the maintenance of honeybee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans. A beekeeper (apiarist) keeps bees in order to collect honey and other products of the hive such as beeswax, pollen and royal jelly or to also produce bees for sale to other beekeepers.

To register for the beekeeping meeting, call 270-534-3335 or go online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/category/category.aspx?C=&S=42.

New students can register for spring classes at WKCTC beginning November 2. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Lilly Kaler of McCracken County has recently been named West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s September Student of the Month, an achievement she never thought was possible as a little girl growing up in her native Izmir, Turkey.

“In my country little girls can’t go to school. I’ve had to fight all my life to get my education. I can still remember today being told, ‘you will be nothing!’ But going to school was all I ever wanted,” said the 46-year-old Kaler. “Finally I was told that I could go to school to learn to read and write and that was it. But after my parents passed away when I was 15, I had the chance to finish high school.”

Kaler has overcome many other obstacles to get to where she is today. During high school, she worked several odd jobs and cared for her younger brother before she met her husband, John, in her hometown. They moved back to America, married and began raising a family. Kaler strived daily to improve her English skills and worked diligently to become a United States citizen in 2009.

In spring 2012, Kaler took her next big step by enrolling in classes at WKCTC with hopes of fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She earned a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and an Advanced Certified Nursing Assistant certificate. But she didn’t stop there. She continued her studies and applied and was accepted into WKCTC’s Licensed Practical Nursing program in spring 2013.

Kaler is set to graduate from WKCTC’s LPN program during commencement December 14. “I never dreamed I would ever be able to go to college. But someone was always available to answer my questions. I never felt alone and always felt supported.” She plans to continue her education to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing in the future.

Being chosen as a WKCTC Student of the Month was a surprise and an honor, said Kaler. Her biggest struggle has been trying to balance her schedule between school and her family, and with English as her second language, it was hard to keep up at times, she added.

“But in my journey, faculty and staff have been very helpful and kind to me. I am so blessed to have come to this college. I like what Dr. Martin Luther King said, ‘I had a dream.’ I can say that I had a dream too. Now it’s coming true everyday at West Kentucky.”

The Paducah School of Art and Design is again offering introductory art classes for area high school students and community members as part of West Community and Technical College’s fall community education offerings.

With a Saturday Intensive class in ceramics designed specifically for area high school students and a painting and drawing class for the community, “these classes are a great way for participants to try something new and delve into a world of creativity in a fun and educational atmosphere,” said Kevin O’Neill, WKCTC community education director.

The class schedule is as follows.

Saturday Intensive
November 14, 21, 28, December 5
Ceramics - $25 (includes all materials)
9:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Ceramics/Small Metals Building, 919 Madison Street
Students in the ninth-twelfth grades will join PSAD Ceramics Studio Technician Nich Daunis to learn the basics of clay construction and the properties of clay as an artistic medium. Each student will create raku-fired pottery, either functional or sculptural. Students will learn:

• forming and joining through pinch, slab and wheel thrown techniques
• glazing and raku-firing techniques
• proper use of kilns and safety measures

Community Offerings
November 4, 11, and 18
Watercolor for Beginners and Beyond
6:30-9:30 p.m.
409 Broadway
Age: Adult
Learn to paint in watercolor and explore this versatile painting medium with Anita Rodriguez-Fitch, PSAD adjunct Instructor. Students will learn traditional watercolor basics, as well and more experimental techniques. Class cost: $120; supplies not included. An additional estimated cost of supplies is $25. Supply list is listed below.

• watercolor paint - tubes, pans or cakes, watercolor brushes - #12 round, #8 round, 1" flat, #4 detail brush
• 9x12" Strathmore student watercolor paper block
• number 2 writing OR drawing pencil
• eraser – white, support board IF using loose sheets
• painter's tape for masking off large areas
• water containers – no glass; clean plastic margarine tubs can be used
• paper towels

November 14, 21, and 28
Figure Drawing
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
$130
409 Broadway, downtown Paducah
Age: Adult
PSAD Associate Professor of Art Randy Simmons will be the instructor for this introductory drawing class. Students will draw from the nude model with both short and long poses. Focus will be on gesture drawing and body proportions. Students may use whatever drawing media they wish but charcoal is the recommended choice. The estimated cost of supplies is an additional $10-$15. Supply list is listed below.

• block and vine charcoal
• 18” x 24” newsprint pad
• kneaded or white eraser.

To register for classes, call (270) 534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/category/category.aspx?C=&S=22.

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; at 409 Broadway in downtown Paducah and 919 Madison Street in Lowertown.

New students can register for spring classes at WKCTC beginning November 2. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is offering classes to help beginners learn basic computer skills, to navigate the Windows 8.1 operating system and to have fun using photos with Microsoft Word.

The classes will be held in the college’s Emerging Technology Center throughout the month of November. The cost of each class is $95.

Microsoft Access 2013 for Beginners
November 3, 5, 10, 12
6-8 p.m.
This course is an introduction to the functionality of an Access database and teaches how to use this program to store information. The information that is stored can be as simple as a list of your aunt’s home recipes or a more complex list of hundreds of thousands of business customers. Participants will also learn how to add, update, organize, find, and delete that information through the creation of Access tables, queries and forms.

Basic PC (Computers for Beginners)
November 12
1:30 – 8:00 P.M.
This class offers fun with no tech babble. Learn quick tips for getting around, where to put your stuff and how to find it easily, smarter ways to surf and shop online, sharing photos via a PC and more. The class meets two sessions in one day, three hours at a time, and will cover topics such as:

·       understanding hardware
·       software and Information technology
·       turning the computer on
·       parts of a computer
·       measuring memory
·       portable storage devices
·       networks
·       the Internet
·       file management

Windows 8.1
November 17
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This hands-on course takes a unique approach to teaching the skills necessary to navigate and use the Windows 8.1 operating system efficiently and confidently. Making the most of new tools and programs, this course is designed for both home and business users. Basic PC navigation skills highly recommended. This class meets two sessions in one day, three hours at a time, and will cover topics such as:

·       start screen and keyboard shortcuts
·       basic commands
·       desktop shortcuts
·       applications
·       charm bars
·       search
·       maintenance

"Smile: Have fun with photographs using Word"
November 19
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Learn to easily take a good snapshot and include it in a Word document, use Word 2010 and 2013 to edit the image and apply all sorts of styles and special effects to make it look better in a few simple steps. Helpful hints for the advanced beginners. The class meets two sessions in one day, three hours at a time.

The registration deadline for each class is seven days prior to class starting date. Classes may be cancelled due to lack of enrollment.

For more information and to register, call (270) 534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/category/category.aspx.

New students can register for spring classes at WKCTC beginning November 2. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Saints at the River by New York Times best selling author Ron Rash has been selected as this year’s One Book Read at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

The book tells the story of a small South Carolina town that is thrown into the national spotlight when a young girl drowns and her body is trapped in a deep river eddy. The girl’s parents want to attempt a rescue of the body but environmentalists are convinced the rescue operation will damage the river and set a dangerous precedent. Torn between the two sides is Maggie Glenn, a twenty-eight-year-old newspaper photographer, who grew up in the town and has been sent to document the controversial incident.

“This book is something that digs deep into matters of the heart, both from the perspective of a grieving family and those who want to protect the environment at all costs,” said Amy Sullivan, WKCTC One Book coordinator. “The book will definitely give you a different perspective, watching the media’s struggle for what angle a story should take and how emotions can certainly affect the outcome.”

Future One Book events, to create awareness of the read and the book, will be announced in the months prior to the project finale when Ron Rash will visit the WKCTC campus March 8-9, 2016. For more information about Rash’s visit, Saints at the River, and the One Book Read, visit http://westkentucky.kctcs.libguides.com/c.php?g=385104&p=2667992.

New students can register for spring classes at WKCTC beginning November 2. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Photography enthusiasts can learn to delve into what it takes to produce great photographs during a five-week intermediate digital photography class at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Jim Etheridge, an award-winning photographer, will teach the hands-on course for five consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning November 10 and ending December 8. The classes will be held in the Emerging Technology Center, Room 112 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Two fields trips are planned; one trip will likely be scheduled on a Saturday.

An understanding of basic terminology and camera operation is helpful for this course.

The cost for the five classes is $110. Participants are to bring a camera. A specific type of camera is not required for the class. However, point and shoot cameras will not work.

To register, call 270-534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/course/course.aspx?C=557&pc=34&mc=&sc=

New students can register for spring classes at WKCTC beginning November 2. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Every 107 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted, according the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). The Student Government Association at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) is encouraging their fellow students, faculty and staff to take a stand against sexual violence through the national It’s on Us campaign.

WKCTC and the other 15 community colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) joined the campaign to combat sexual assaults on college campuses and throughout the communities.

The faculty, staff and students at the colleges are completing online sexual assault prevention training. Through various scenarios, each person can learn to recognize the non-consensual signs of sexual assault, identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given, and to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported. Individuals are also asked to sign the It’s on Us pledge to make a personal commitment to help women and men safe form sexual assault and to promise to not be a bystander to the problem, but to be part of the solution.

“This training prepares us to recognize the signs of sexual assault and to know what to do to help someone who has experienced it,” said Georgiana Roberts, SGA president at WKCTC. Putting our name on the pledge says, ‘I will be someone who does what it takes to make it stop.’”

To show their resolve in the fight against sexual violence, WKCTC students, faculty and staff also participated in an It’s on Us sheet mural. They put their hands in pink and blue paint, representing women and men who have been sexually assaulted, and placed their handprints on the sheet. When the mural is complete, it will be displayed in the WKCTC Student Center throughout the It’s on Us campaign, which ends in early December.

Students can now enroll for the spring semester at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Classes begin January 11, 2016.

WKCTC offers more than 250 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificate options in 48 career and academic programs. The college provides students with a variety of ways to begin classes including day, evening and online courses.

WKCTC online courses offer students the opportunity to pursue their educational goals at convenient times and locations. Students can study anytime, anywhere and can select a program that's completely online or a mix of online classes with on-campus classes. Learn about WKCTC online offerings at http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Academics/Online.aspx.

Students can register for classes in the WKCTC advising center located in the Anderson Building, room 106. Advisors are available to help with the registration process and offer assistance in creating an academic plan that can help students reach their academic goals. Students can also apply for financial aid for the spring semester at fafsa.ed.gov.

Students can submit a free online application at westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Admissions/How_To_Enroll.aspx. Students submitting an online application must still register for classes.

See a full list of spring classes at http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Academics/Class_Schedules.aspx

For more information, call 1-855-GO-WKCTC or visit campus to learn more about enrolling in classes. Enrollment services offices are open are Monday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The Clemens Fine Arts Center welcomes Jenny Johnson to the stage for the Backstage Pass series November 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Jenny Johnson is an Americana, soul-singing, guitar-picking, singer-songwriter from the damp backwoods of southern Illinois. She recently filmed the pilot episode for a new PBS series, “Little Egypt Live,” showcasing other southern Illinois musicians.

“Jenny and her band will stir your soul, make you move your feet and lighten your heart with every tune,” said Tammy Thompson, WKCTC public relations coordinator.

Tickets are $5 at the door in the Clemens Fine Arts Center on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College. The audience will be seated on stage with the performers in an intimate, coffeehouse setting. Beverages and desserts will be available throughout the evening at a minimum cost.

New students can register for spring classes at WKCTC beginning November 2. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Girls in third grade through high school are invited to learn more about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) at the “STEM for Girls” event to be held on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College in the Emerging Tech Center on Thursday, November 12 from 5:30-8 p.m. Refreshments and on-site registration will be available from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 5:30. There is no charge for students to participate but pre-registration is suggested at www.paducahchamber.org. A special session for parents will be offered during the student program.

Students will have the opportunity to explore exciting hands-on activities and demonstrations presented by area professionals in the STEM fields. Each student will attend the opening session with keynote speaker WPSD Local 6 Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Rukavina and then rotate through three of the breakout sessions. The breakouts will be grouped by age: elementary, middle school, and high school. Area female speakers will focus on a variety of programs. These include:

Emergency Management - April Tilford, Fluor
Advantages of Robotic Surgery - Dr. Amber Savalls, Baptist Health
Duck Banding - Jody Swain, Wildlife Biologist with KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Challenger Learning Center at Paducah - Mellisa Duncan, Challenger Center
Veterinarian - Dr. Rennie Church, Ceglinski Animal Clinic
Optometrist - Dr. Jennifer Gibson, Eye Center of Paducah
Information Technology - Anna Berlekamp, Kalleo Technologies
Medical Careers - Dr. Mirriam Slatter, Lourdes
Careers for Women – University of Kentucky College of Engineering Paducah campus Society of Women Engineers
Radiological Control Technicians – representatives from Fluor
3D Printing – Stephanie Milliken, West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Discover Engineering – local female engineers Rachel Draffen and Miranda Webber, Arkema; Christina Trammell, Westlake Chemical; and Dannielle Ramage, Morsey Constructors

The parents' session will include a panel discussion to learn about ways to involve their children in STEM opportunities, how to prepare their children for these careers and how to prepare for college expenses. Speakers include representatives from West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Murray State University, Commonwealth Middle College, University of Kentucky College of Engineering Paducah Campus, McCracken County Schools and Paducah Public Schools.

Each participant will receive a drawstring back pack and be eligible to win door prizes.

The STEM for Girls event is coordinated by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Business Education Partnership with presenting sponsors H.B. Fuller, West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Murray State University Regional Outreach. Additional sponsors include: Gold: Baptist Health Paducah, Fluor Federal Services, Ingevity, Lourdes Hospital, UK College of Engineering, Wellsprings Dermatology: Silver: Arkema, HDR | ICA Engineering and Paducah-River City BPW; Other: , Sylvan Learning Center and Turner Communications.

Register online at paducahchamber.org or by calling the Paducah Chamber of Commerce at (270) 443-1746.

Travel to England, Ireland and Wales as part the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Study Abroad Program in May 2016.

The trip, which is open to WKCTC students, faculty, staff and the community, will provide travellers with a combination of culture and history as they explore throughout rural Ireland and into the metropolitan areas of Dublin and London.

“One can only imagine the past world of King Arthur or the time of Shakespeare by stepping back in time to visit the numerous castles, museum and cathedrals, and indulge in the heartbeat of the contemporary city which blends the architectural features of the past with the traditions of the present,” said Pat Blaine trip tour leader and WKCTC English professor. “WKCTC students and community members will learn about the larger world around them in a richer, more profound way than can ever be learned from just reading about it.”

In Spring 2016, an introductory literature course will focus on providing a sense of place for England, Wales and Ireland. The course will be offered online and can be taken for credit or audited. The course is open to the community and is recommended for those traveling on the 2016 trip.

Trip information and early registration can be found at efcollegestudytours.com .The tour number is #1697120VE. Interested participants may also call 1-877-485-4184.

Community members may also purchase poinsettias for the holiday season to help raise funds for WKCTC students who would like to be a part of the study abroad educational adventure.

Available colors include red, white, pink, Cortez Burgundy, Christmas Ribbons and glitter. Six and a half inch plants are $12 (one plant); eight-inch plants are $20 (3 plants) and new this year, a six-inch Christmas cactus is $20. Order by November 24. Orders delivered to WKCTC’s Haws Gymnasium December 2. All proceeds will benefit WKCTC students. To place order, contact Pat Blaine at pat.blaine@kctcs.edu. Check should be made out to PJC, Inc., P.O. Box 7380, Paducah, Kentucky 42002-7380. Mail checks to Pat Blaine, 4810 Alben Barkley Drive, Paducah, Kentucky 42001.

For more information visit the WKCTC Study Abroad Program webpage at http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/en/Student_Life/StudyAbroad.aspx or contact Pat Blaine at (270) 534-3207.

Brian Heller may be new to the west Kentucky community but he has a strong belief in the importance of community. Officials at West Kentucky Community and Technical College announced the hiring of Heller as the Clemens Fine Arts Center’s new director.

Heller, who officially started October 30, said he is eager to help bring more people from the community onto the WKCTC campus. “The more people you can bring onto campus for different things, the better it is for everyone,” he said.

A native of central Illinois, Heller succeeds Gail Robinson-Butler who retired as center director in July after nearly 30 years at the college. He last served as the executive director of the Al. Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, Wis. Heller has more than 20 years of theatre experience and has worked at performing art centers and historic theatres in Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and Minnesota.
Heller, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a master’s degree in arts administration, originally studied music as an undergraduate at Millikin University. It was while he was at the Decatur, Ill. University that Heller took his first job as a tech crewmember at a local theater, working sound and lights.

“I had been a performer and on the stage as a kid, so I transitioned from being a performer to supporting the work of the artists in other roles; first as a technician, and later as an administrator, enabling the work of the artists,” Heller said. “I’m a facilitator.”

Heller comes to Paducah after spending over four years as executive director of the Al. Ringling Theatre. Heller said one of the main differences between his previous theatre and the Clemens Fine Arts Center lies in the support systems available at WKCTC that were not available at his previous job. The theatre was a small non-profit historic theater in a rural community in Wisconsin.

Heller said the work of securing acts for the performing arts series and other events at the Clemens Center will be similar to what he previously did at the Al. Ringling Theatre.
The father of three, Heller said he is also interested in building a relationship with new audiences, but also with WKCTC students, faculty and staff. “I would like the center to be a resource for faculty, staff and students,” Heller said. “In keeping with the college’s mission, I would also like to see the Clemens Center support businesses in the community.”

The next performance at the Clemens Fine Arts Center will be the singer-songwriter Jenny Johnson as part of Backstage Pass Saturday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $5 at the door.

For more information about the Clemens Fine Arts Center visit http://www.artsinfocus.org or call 270.534.3212.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College has been named a 2016 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, originator of Military Friendly® education and career resources for veterans and their families. This is the fourth time WKCTC has received the honor.

Now in its seventh year for ranking post-secondary schools, Victory Media’s Military Friendly® ratings recognize colleges with leading programs for veterans, members of the Armed Forces leaving military service and military spouses.

The company’s 2016 list highlights more than 1,400 Military Friendly® Schools exhibiting best practices in support of military students. Institutions of higher learning competed for the title by completing an extensive survey covering ten indicators of success, including support for student veterans on campus, graduation and employment outcomes and military spouse policies.

WKCTC is one of 19 Kentucky colleges to receive the Military Friendly designation, which includes five other Kentucky Community and Technical College System colleges. The full list of Military Friendly Schools can be found at militaryfriendlyschools.com.

“We are so proud to once again be named a Military Friendly School. WKCTC is committed to veteran success, and awards such as this allow us to be recognized nationally for the work we already do and the services we hope to expand in the future,” said Kristen Amaya, WKCTC veterans services coordinator.

As Veterans Day approaches, WKCTC is honoring veterans with a variety of events including WKCTC Veterans Night at the college’s West Kentucky Stars basketball game November 12, where veterans showing proof of service will be admitted free. Prior to the game, veterans will also be honored and recognized for their service and dedication to the country.

WKCTC students, faculty and staff are also submitting stories and photos to commemorate a loved one or friend who has served in the military. The collection will be displayed in WKCTC’s Matheson Library throughout November. The college’s Student Veterans organization is also participating in the 2015 Veterans Day Parade on November 11.

“We believe it’s important to treat veterans as if every day were Veterans Day. The respect and admiration among our faculty, staff and students is high for our veteran and military population,” said Amaya.

The college has a wonderful reputation among veterans and their peers, offering many services to help student veterans be successful, said Amaya.

“Many of those walking through our doors were told by a fellow veteran that our office could really help them; and indeed we do. Not only do we assist veterans with making the transition to the classroom, we take a holistic approach to ensure every other need can be served, including assistance with disability claims, employment, housing, mental health, and more.”

Registration for spring classes is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Nearly 150 West Kentucky Community and Technical College Community Scholarship Program freshman students, family, friends and supporters attended the second annual Community Scholarship Program Luncheon in the college’s Emerging Technology Center November 6.

“I look forward to this event because it gives us the opportunity to celebrate successes and accomplishments, and it provides me and our students the chance to say ‘thank you’ to the donors who continue to support this program,” said Lisa Stephenson, CSP coordinator.

Student speaker Karess Hoskins, a 2015 graduate of McCracken County High School and first-generation college student, said that paying for college can be difficult, but receiving a community scholarship makes it possible.

“Thank you to the donors for giving students like me the opportunity to attend college tuition free. To not have to worry about having to pay for college allows us to focus on selecting a major and getting good grades,” said the 18-year-old Hoskins who plans to pursue a career in radiology.

Hoskins’ parents, Kenny and Mary Hoskins, said receiving a community scholarship was the reason their daughter is able to go to college.

“It's so wonderful. Without it (CSP scholarship), we would never have been able to send her,” said Mary Hoskins. Her father agreed. “It’s a blessing. It really helped out a whole lot. I’m really proud of people helping out like this; it will help others too,” he said.

With the support she has received from her family, friends and CSP leaders, Hoskins said she is striving to be a positive influence on others.

“I’m trying to be the best role model to the ones who look up to me. For my nieces and nephews, I want them to know that when things get difficult, I will be there for them, encouraging and supporting them. And they need to know there are other people who are ready to assist them when things get difficult in life,” Hoskins told the audience Friday. “Thank you again to our donors for your commitment to this program, and thanks to our family, our friends and our college family for the help you provide.”

Ashley Wright, WKCTC vice president of institutional advancement, said one of the most rewarding things about the Community Scholarship Program is the continued support of the community. “It’s a commitment to these students that regardless of what their personal, professional aspiration may be, they will not have to put it on hold because of financial barriers. We cannot make that commitment without our donors. We are so grateful.”

The Community Scholarship Program provides scholarship funding for up to 60 credit hours toward a technical certification and/or an associate degree at WKCTC. The Rotary Club of Paducah initiated the idea for the CSP as a public-private partnership with strong participation from the Rotary, the city of Paducah, McCracken County Fiscal Court, partnering high schools, and WKCTC.

The inaugural CSP class began at WKCTC in fall 2014 with 216 students. Many of those students will graduate from the college in May 2015.

For more information about the CSP, contact Lisa Stephenson at (270) 534-3282, lisa.stephenson@kctcs.edu or visit http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/en/Academics/K12/CSP.aspx

Registration for spring classes is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

The holidays are just around the corner and West Kentucky Community and Technical College is offering a four-week Zumba class to help you stay in shape.

The class meets every Monday evening November 23-December 14 from 4:45-5:45 in the Haws Gymnasium. The cost is $10.

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.

To register call (270) 534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky/course/course.aspx?C=615&pc=37&mc=&sc=

Registration for spring classes is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) is inviting the public to get ready for a unique holiday shopping opportunity at the Fifth Annual Student and Faculty Holiday Art Sale at the Clemens Fine Arts Center Gallery December 5-6. The gallery is located on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC).

PSAD’s Holiday Art Sale will be held Saturday, December 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A preview sale is offered to WKCTC students, faculty and staff Friday, December 4 from noon to 5 p.m.

The annual art sale provides individuals the opportunity to purchase unique works of art by students, studio assistants and faculty as gifts or collectibles. The sale includes hundreds upon hundreds of artworks including one-of-a-kind jewelry, ceramics, photography, paintings, drawings, sculpture, and fabric art. “Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to find a unique, hand-crafted, beautiful piece of art to give to your special someone this holiday season,” said Paul Aho, PSAD dean.

Sales support individual students, as well as student enrichment activities by PSAD’s Art and Design Club. Artists keep 80 percent of the proceeds and the remaining 20 percent is donated to the club to fund field trips to National Portfolio Day events and other transfer-related activities. During the past four years, the event has been a huge success, selling hundreds of artworks at gift-giving prices, said Aho.
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, at 409 Broadway in downtown Paducah and 919 Madison Street in LowerTown.

Registration for spring classes at WKCTC is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Nearly one hundred students from 13 area middle schools participated in the fifth annual West Kentucky Academic Association (WKAA) competition at West Kentucky Community and Technical College November 20.

Lone Oak took first place honors. Paducah, Murray and Ballard County middle schools won second, third and fourth place, respectively.

Other participating schools were Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden and Livingston counties, Heath, North Marshall, South Marshall, Reidland and St. Mary middle schools.

Each team played three quick recall matches. The teams were seeded after pool play and played a single-elimination championship bracket.

“The WKAA Academic Bowl at WKCTC has given the teams a wonderful opportunity to see how they rank against the rest of the region. It also gives schools a chance to prepare for the KAAC Governor's Cup competition which will be held in January,” said Melissa Bryan, WKAA vice president and seventh grade science teacher at Heath Middle School. “In the past few years, the tournament winners have later qualified for the KAAC State Finals. Our region has some brilliant students and this tournament gives them one more chance to shine!”

Registration for spring classes at WKCTC is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) is once again partnering with Paducah Power System (PPS) to add a creative, video element to the traditional lighting displays exhibited each year at Noble Park during Christmas in the Park. This year’s park display will run from November 27 – December 31.

Last year’s inaugural collaboration featured videos projected on the face of the amphitheater through projection mapping technologies and equipment. This year’s piece, Interjection, is more human in scale and entails mapping video projections onto a sculptural arrangement of wooden boxes closer to the flow of traffic.

The editing, sequencing and mapping of the videos is the work of Cody Arnall, PSAD’s sculptor-in-residence and sculpture instructor.

“With the opening of PSAD's new sculpture building last year, we have seen exciting work coming out of our sculpture program under Cody’s instruction and a number of new non-traditional sculpture projects directed outside the traditional gallery space,” said PSAD Dean Paul Aho. “This unique artwork engages the community in the arts through a popular public event made possible by Paducah Power System. Viewers will be able to sit and watch the projection piece at length, or get a sense of it while driving by during Christmas in the Park’s evening hours.”

Sponsored by Paducah Power System since 1997, Christmas in the Park is an established holiday activity. Since its inception it has generated $534,644.92 and collected 679,855 pounds of food in support of local food pantries. During this past season, the event brought in a record 74,235 pounds of food and $40,043. All donations from Christmas in the Park activities go to the local Paducah Cooperative Ministry, Family Service Society and the Salvation Army.

Paducah School of Art and Design, 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, at 409 Broadway in downtown Paducah and at 919 Madison Street in historic LowerTown.

For more information about PSAD, call (270) 408-4278.

Registration for spring classes at WKCTC is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College will honor more than 800 candidates for graduation during a commencement ceremony December 14 at 7 p.m. at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center. There will also be a pinning ceremony held prior to commencement at 5 p.m. for nursing students.

Alexandra Sherwood, director of recruiting and career services at University of Kentucky College of Engineering, Paducah, will be the keynote speaker for the ceremony. A native of Morocco, in northern Africa, Sherwood worked diligently to become a United States citizen in 2006. Since that time, she has earned a GED, an associate degree from WKCTC in 2009, and a master’s degree in organizational communication from Murray State University in 2013.

Returning to WKCTC as the featured commencement speaker is the realization of a long-time dream for Sherwood. “I believe in this college so much, and coming back to help inspire students like my professors inspired me is what I’ve always wanted to do since I first stepped foot on this campus,” said Sherwood. “I am now working to recruit more students to WKCTC and the UK College of Engineering. I am thrilled and honored to be involved in anything this college does, most especially commencement.”

WKCTC students Ryan Haden of Graves County and Jill Westerfield of McCracken County will be the student speakers. “I'm honored to be able to speak at commencement, and I’m excited to be starting a new chapter in my life,” said Hayden.

A 2010 Graves County High School graduate, Hayden pursued a full baseball scholarship to Shawnee Community College where he studied health science. An avid athlete who had suffered various injuries, Hayden decided he needed to pursue a new career in physical therapy and WKCTC was the place to do that.

“I chose WKCTC because it was close to my home in Mayfield and it had the physical therapist assistant (PTA program) I needed,” said Hayden. “I set out to help athletes like myself, and I felt that the best way to do that is to help them return to sport.”

Hayden had an accident in July 2014, just prior to his second semester of the PTA program, confining him to a wheelchair for three months and jeopardizing his ability to complete the program by his scheduled December graduation date.

“My instructors encouraged me to stick with the program, and reassured me that they would help me in any way necessary,” said 24-year-old Hayden. “With that constant support and help from my fellow students, I will not only be able to graduate on time, but I also get to share my WKCTC experiences at commencement.”

Hayden plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Murray State University.

Jill Westerfield developed her passion for art from her grandmother in their native Cologne, Germany. In fall 2013, she traveled to the United States to continue that passion at Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD).

Exposed to new creative outlets, Westerfield began to flourish as an artist. “I experienced art like I never had before, working with many mediums for the very first time. My life has forever been changed thanks to the PSAD,” said the 21-year-old Westerfield. “I never thought I would get the opportunity to be a commencement speaker. It's an honor and I am excited to share my story."

Westerfield will graduate with an Associate in Fine Arts degree and plans to transfer to a university in Germany to study art restoration or industrial design in the future.

Registration for spring classes at WKCTC is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Paducah School of Art and Design invites the community to participate in a photo contest as part of this year’s One Book Read project at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC).

The contest, based on the One Book Read of Saints at the River by New York Times best-selling author Ron Rash, is free to enter and open to the public.

The photo competition and exhibition complement other community-related One Book activities leading up to the author's two-day visit and public programs at WKCTC March 8-9, 2016.

Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) and WKCTC’s Clemens Fine Arts Center are sponsoring the contest that will feature cash awards for first, second and third place winners with $100, $75, and

$50 respectively. PSAD faculty members will select contest winners, who will be announced during the opening reception for Rash March 8.

Readers are encouraged to create works of art that relate to Rash’s novel, which explores the deepest human themes: the love of the land, the hold of the dead on the living, the need to dive beneath the surface to arrive at a deeper truth through a young girl’s death in a South Carolina river, and the dynamics that ensue in a struggle to reclaim her body. Readers might photograph the movement or flow of rivers; issues of environmental relevance; the lives of those living on or working on the river; or any number of other sources of inspiration generated by the book.

Community members may begin taking photos now. Works will be accepted January 18-19, 2016, at the Clemens Fine Arts Center Gallery on the WKCTC campus. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An exhibition of all submitted works will open in the Clemens Gallery January 21 in conjunction with the Over the Top exhibit, a group of 2016 Master Artist Workshop presenters.
Entry forms, contest details, loan agreement and One Book information are available at http://westkentucky.kctcs.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=17166364.

Paducah School of Art and Design, 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; at 409 Broadway in downtown Paducah; and at our LowerTown campus at 919 Madison Street.

For more information about the One Book Read photo contest and PSAD class offerings, contact Paul Aho at (270) 408-4281, paul.aho@kctcs.edu.

Registration for spring classes at WKCTC is currently underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Spring classes begin January 11.

Meeting to discuss the art of beekeeping offered at WKCTC

McCracken County Resident Named WKCTC’s September Student of the Month

Introductory art classes for high school students and community

Computer Classes for Beginners Offered at WKCTC

Saints at the River selected as WKCTC’s One Book Read

Intermediate digital photography class offered at WKCTC

WKCTC joins national sexual assault prevention campaign

WKCTC Spring Registration Underway

Jenny Johnson performing at Backstage Pass in the Clemens Center November 14

Girls can learn about STEM careers at WKCTC November 12

WKCTC Study Abroad Trip to England, Ireland and Wales Open to Community

New Clemens Fine Arts Center Director Named at WKCTC

WKCTC named Military Friendly School for fourth time

WKCTC’s Community Scholarship Program students meet donors at annual luncheon

Stay in shape during the holidays with Zumba at WKCTC

PSAD Holiday Art Sale at the Clemens Fine Arts Gallery December 5-6

Lone Oak Wins WKAA Middle School Academic Bowl at WKCTC

Paducah School of Art and Design continues holiday collaboration with Paducah Power System

WKCTC to Hold Fall 2015 Commencement December 14

PSAD Opens Community-wide Photo Contest Based on Saints at the River Book