Five Phi Theta Kappa students from West Kentucky Community and Technical College recently attended the 2019 regional PTK Honors in Action and Leadership Conference in Louisville. They brushed up on teamwork skills and leadership development. The students learned from the Philadelphia Regional Office of the U.S. Census Bureau about efforts to ensure that citizens understand the importance of being counted during the upcoming 2020 Census. They also received information about jobs that are perfect for college students. Way to go everyone!

Congratulations to Taylor Young, who was named West Kentucky Community and Technical College's September Student of the Month! Taylor a 24-year-old Paducah resident, is earning her associate in science degree and is set to graduate WKCTC in May 2020. She then plans to transfer to UK to study dentistry. As a single parent, Taylor is not only dedicated to raising her daughter, Aubre, but also to helping her fellow classmates find success. She recognizes the value of education and the importance FYE 105 plays in helping students have a strong start to their college careers and participated in a recent promotional video sharing her experience in the course. In summer 2019, Taylor went above and beyond her typical duties as a work-study student by helping address and mail over 700 postcards to incoming students welcoming them to WKCTC. Way to go Taylor!

Surgical technology students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College took treats to area clinical sites in recognition of National Surgical Technologist Week September 15-21. Surgical technologists are members of operating room teams who, under the supervision of a surgeon or other surgical personnel, ensure that the operating room is safe and that equipment functions properly. Their duties include setting up surgical instruments and equipment, ensuring the equipment works properly, preparing sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. During surgery, surgical techs pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants, but they also may hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments. The demand for surgical technologists is on the rise in western Kentucky as well as throughout the country, with some hospitals even offering large monetary incentives to surgical techs they hire. WKCTC's surgical technology program offers a two-year associate in applied science degree. For more information, contact Debbie Swain at debbie.swain@kctcs.edu.

Skye Jones, a student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College and a resident of the Scholar House of Paducah, recently received a one-year, $2,500 scholarship from the Scholarship Committee for the Kentucky Housing Association. Congratulations Skye!

Dallas McKinney, a West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduate, was recently one of two students to be awarded scholarships by the American Meterological Society. McKinney, the son of Tim and Tonya McKinney of Mayfield and a senior at Western Kentucky University (WKU), received the AMS/Glickman Family Scholarship. Olivia Cahill, daughter of Pat and Billie Cahill of Dry Ridge, received the AMS/Ken Reeves AccuWeather Scholarship. Both are pursuing bachelor's degrees in meteorology at WKU, according to the college. Twenty-one senior undergraduate scholarships were awarded this year. The scholarships, awarded for the senior year, are designed to encourage outstanding senior undergraduates to continue pursuing careers in the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. The various scholarships are based on merit and are awarded to students who have shown the potential for accomplishment in these fields. McKinney was awarded the Kentucky TRIO Programs Susan Adams Leadership Award (April 2019), NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship (May 2018), and West Kentucky Community and Technical College Unsung Student Hero Award (May 2017). He is interested in weather forecasting. McKinney plans to attend graduate school and looks forward to conducting research in climate change and making weather forecasts more accurate. He aspires to work as a forecaster with the National Weather Service. Congratulations on receiving the scholarship, Dallas!!

Sarah Morehead is one of five high school anglers to receive a freshmen scholarship from Lew's and Strike King this year. Lew's Fishing is a Springfield, MO based supplier of fishing equipment and tackle. Strike King is a Collierville, TN based supplier of fishing tackle and sunglasses. The Freshman Scholarship Program was awarded to five deserving high school anglers who must completed an application. The Future Fisherman Foundation assisted in the screening and processing of the applications. Sarah attended McCracken County High School, where she excelled in the classroom as well as her school sanctioned fishing team, according to an August 21th article in "Wired2Fish". Sarah recently began her studies at West Kentucky Technical and Community College and plans to focus on education and horticulture. Congratulations, Sarah! We're happy to have you at WKCTC.

More than 450 students were recently named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2019 semester at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be a full-time WKCTC student earning at least a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) and successfully completing 12 hours or more of course work numbered 100 or above for the academic term. The Spring 2019 Dean's List recipients are listed below.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized more than 230 candidates for graduation who participated in its Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center May 11, 2019. More than 1,000 WKCTC students were eligible to receive an associate degree, diploma or certificate during the spring 2019 semester.

Fourteen Alpha Epsilon Beta students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College helped organize the criminal justice club's annual 5K run to fight against child abuse. Funds raised go to Paducah's Child Watch. The 2019 race put the total funds raised by AEB for the organization reached over $15,000 - a goal the club has had since last year's race! Way to go!!

Congrats Emily Owens, a West Kentucky Community and Technical College cosmetology student and a resident of Ledbetter received a scholarship from the Great Clips Scholarship Program on May 8, 2019. Way to go Emily!

Students Sarah Sexton, Brittany Roberts and Valeria Nieto were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Sarah and Brittany, both of Paducah, and Valeria of Mayfield were recognized as leaders in the National Association of Licensed Professional Nurses (NALPN) chapter. Congratulations, Sarah, Brittany and Valeria!

Students Nicole Heath, Jonathan Bilak and Dylan Richards were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Nicole, Jon and Dylan were recognized as leaders in WKCTC's Phi Theta Kappa chapter. PTK is a national honor society that recognizes academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. Congratulations Nicole, Jon and Dylan !

Students Jon Bilak, Dylan Richards, Tor Gar and Kyle Garner were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. The students were recognized as officers of WKCTC's Student Government Association - Bilak, SGA president; Dylan, SGA vice president; Tor, SGA secretary, and Kyle, SGA social media coordinator. Congratulations students!

*** Students Ruby Anderson and Carson Gholson were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Ruby and Carson were recognized as leaders in the WKCTC's radiography student organization. Ruby is president of the radiography student organization and Carson is vice president.

The WKCTC Stars Basketball Team and their coach Mike Chumbler were recognized April 30 for their contributions to the campus at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. Team members recognized were Jashaud Fleming, Al McFarland, Lamont Bell, Dre Smith, Jamison Hicks, Dylan Richards, Zach Tracy and Connor Griffin.

Student Hannah Lester of Paducah was one of more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Hannah was recognized as a leader in WKCTC's Student Green Club.

Students Kelley Sizemore and Adia Mudd were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Kelley and Adia were recognized as leaders in WKCTC's Future Educators club. Congratulations!

Thomas Byerley of LaCenter was recognized as a star member of West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Government Association (SGA). He was honored with more than 30 student leaders during WKCTC's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration April 30. A culinary arts student, Thomas attended the National Conference on Student Government and is an active member of SGA.

Kiana Miles and Jalen Harris were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Kiana and Jalen were recognized as leaders in the EM-P.O.W.E.R club.

Eric Egli and Kaitlyn Marshall were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Eric and Kaitlyn were recognized as leaders in WKCTC's Kentucky Association of Nursing Students (KANS) chapter.

Students Macie Young and Audrey LeNeave were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Macie and Audrey were recognized as leaders in the Early Childhood Educators Club. Congratulations!

Caleb Duckworth of Metropolis, IL., was one of more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Caleb was recognized as a leader in WKCTC's Campus Ministries. Congratulations, Caleb!

Charity Itiav-Gar, Keiana Byas and John Putney were among more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. The students were recognized as leaders in Alpha Epsilon Beta

Twelve students were recognized as student ambassadors during the April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. Student ambassadors are a diverse group of trained leaders who have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, events, and leadership roles. They offer their voice to important discussions and provide prospective visitors and students with a realistic glimpse of the WKCTC experience what it is to be a college student. They foster college connections, support recruitment, retention, outreach, and campus and community events. Student ambassadors who were recognized at the event were: Seyi Aro, Jonathan Bilak, Olivia Chell, Paige Dudley, Tor Gar, Kyle Garner, Charity Itiav-Gar, Lexi Johnson, Jessica Montlouis, Melanie P'Poole, Dylan Richards and Erick Xelhua

Paducah resident Kyle Garner (pictured on the left) was one of more than 30 student leaders recognized April 30 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Student Services Red Carpet Student Leader Celebration. The event recognized student leaders at WKCTC for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Kyle was recognized as Student of the Year based on his based on continuous academic performance, active participation in various student organizational activities and community service, while exhibiting a positive and encouraging attitude. Also recognized as a leader in the Hispanic Culture Club, Kyle is pictured with Emily Peck, vice president of student affairs at WKCTC. Congratulations, Kyle!

Congratulations to Paducah's Jon Bilak for being named 2019 April Student of the Month at West Kentucky Community and Technical College!

Five West Kentucky Community and Technical College welding students made needed repairs to the aluminum bleacher seats at Carson Park before the 2018 Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show during the fall semester. The show took place on September 19-21. Great job!

Four West Kentucky Community and Technical College students participated in a Clean-Up Day at the campus south parking lot on March 8, 2019. The clean-up was led by Hannah Nickell, WKCTC's Environmental Education Americorp Leader. Great job everyone!

Congratulations to Dylan Richards for being named West Kentucky Community and Technical College's 2019 February Student of the Month! Dylan is 20 years old and is a 2017 honor graduate of McCracken County High School. He became part of the WKCTC family in fall 2017. "In high school I always thought I wanted to be a physical therapist. However, after taking FYE 105 at WKCTC and taking advice from advisors, I knew that I would truly enjoy a career as a high school history teacher. WKCTC helped me realize my passion in history and that my desire to help others could be used through teaching. If I had gone to a big university right out of high school, I don't believe the decision would have been as clear." Dylan is the president of the WKCTC's Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the vice president of the Student Government Association, a student ambassador, a West Kentucky Stars basketball athlete, a TRIO tutor, member of the Spanish Honor Society, and secretary of the Kentucky Education Association chapter. Through his volunteer work in the Paducah community he received the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel and a Duke of Paducah. He also graduated from the Paducah Youth L.E.A.D. program. When not a school, Dylan likes playing basketball, camping, hiking/biking, playing guitar, reading, watching movies and traveling. He has also earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Way to go Dylan!!

Six West Kentucky Community and Technical College students were inducted into the college's National Hispanic Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi's Sociedad Honoraria de la Lengua Espanola on February 25, 2019. The induction ceremony was held in the Student Government Association lounge, located in the college's Student Center. Congratulations to all!