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Accomplished Musician and Author with Inspirational and Courageous Life Story Visits WKCTC and McCracken County Public Library August 6

Paducah, KY (07/31/2018) — Patrick Henry Hughes is a multi-instrumental musician and author who was born without eyes and unable to fully straighten his arms and legs, making him unable to walk. Despite his challenges in life, he chooses to focus on his abilities such as is his exceptional musical talent and love of life.

Hughes and his father Patrick John Hughes, both of Louisville, Ky., will visit Paducah August 6 to share about his 2008 book I Am Potential: Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams - an inspirational story of optimism, determination and courage.

They will first visit West Kentucky Community and Technical College, with the younger Hughes being the keynote speaker at the college's 2018 faculty and staff kickoff event in the Clemens Fine Arts Theatre at 8:30 a.m. They will speak at the McCracken County Public Library later that evening at 7 p.m. The library event is free and open to the public.

"I'm super excited. He's been my dream speaker for us (WKCTC) since I read his book 8 years ago," said Kim Russell, WKCTC English program coordinator. "We are also going to be buying several copies of his book for faculty and staff to participate in a reading group this year. Patrick Henry will also play the piano for us. He is just incredible."

When Patrick Henry Hughes was nine months old his dad introduced him to the piano. As a toddler he demonstrated phenomenal musical potential and now, at age 30, is a nationally known pianist, singer and trumpeter who has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and the Kennedy Center. He graduated from Louisville's Atherton High School, where he participated in the International Baccalaureate program and was a member of National Honor Society. He also graduated with distinguished honors from the University of Louisville where he majored in Spanish. He played trumpet in Louisville's marching band, where his national fame began.

He played trumpet and his father pushed him in his wheelchair through the marching routines. This visible commitment attracted increasing crowds and media attention each football season. He was subsequently invited to play piano and sing in musical performances throughout the country, including onstage performances with Pam Tillis, Lonestar, Lane Brody, Chad Brock, Faith Hill, and Bryan White. In 2007 he played solo trumpet on stage in performance with the Louisville Orchestra. His story was dramatized in the 2015 movie I Am Potential, written and directed by Zach Meiners and starring Jimmy Bellinger as Patrick Henry, and Burgess Jenkins as his father.

With determined optimism and courage, Patrick Henry Hughes has made "I am potential" his mantra and defied the impossible at every turn. In his book, Hughes recounts the eight critical lessons he has learned that are at the heart of his success, including When Life Gives You Lemons, Accept Them and Be Grateful and Do All You Can to Change What You Can.

Registration for fall classes at WKCTC is underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 13.

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West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) has been recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 10 Community College four times awarded by the Aspen Institute and has twice been named a Finalist with Distinction for providing students with strong job training and continuing higher education opportunity, for achieving high completion and transfer rates, and for providing strong employment results for its graduates.

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