West Kentucky Community & Technical College

The Alpha Epsilon Beta student justice club at West Kentucky Community and Technical College recently presented a check for $3,400 to Paducah's Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center on May 15, 2023. The money was raised during the club's 12th Annual Justice Run 5K race in April, and makes the total given to fight child abuse since the first 2011 race now over $24,870!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College nursing students participated in several flu clinics with Mercy Health-Lourdes in fall 2023. They administered doses of the flu vaccine and contributed two or more community service hours. Hospital representatives said they appreciate the students' willingness to volunteer and flourish as future nurses in our community. Way to go!

On September 28, 2022, Physical Therapist Assistant Program students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College helped with the Orthopedic Institute of Western Kentucky/OIWK winter/spring sports physicals for Paducah Tilghman and McCracken County Schools. Way to go! We are #WKCTCProud of you!

Two West Kentucky Community and Technical College students recently helped the University of Kentucky with the Urban Forestry Initiative. Cameron Dorris and Savannah Murt spent two days identifying trees, assessing tree health, as well as measuring and GPS mapping each tree near the Ella Munal Complex at 2010 Hendricks Street in Paducah.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College physical therapist assistant (PTA) students volunteered to help with sports physicals provided by the Orthopaedic Institute of Western Kentucky for Paducah Tilghman athletes on June 22, 2022. The PTA students are out of school for the summer but volunteered their time to help with screenings. #WKCTCProud

In early March 2022, the Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Class of 2022 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College formed a team for the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics. Ten class members participated in fund raising and six brave students "took the plunge" in Kentucky Lake. The team raised over $500! Breck Boswell also represented the PTA group in the Polar Plunge 5K run event. Way to go everyone! #WKCTCProud

In Fall 2021, several physical therapist assistant students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College volunteered to help with the Regional Special Olympics Bowling Tournament at Cardinal Lanes in Paducah. #WKCTCProud

The Radiography Class of 2022 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College donated $200 and gift baskets to the Lily Pad, Easterseals West Kentucky's childcare program for medically fragile children located in Paducah, on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Great work WKCTC students!

Members of West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Justice Club, Alpha Epsilon Beta, helped the Family Service Society sort food items on March 1, 2022. Family Service Society, located at 827 Joe Clifton Drive in Paducah, aids residents of Paducah/McCracken County in crisis situations by assisting with basic needs such as food, clothing, prescription medications, emergency dental, utility assistance, personal hygiene items, household goods, and eyeglasses. #WKCTCProud

Students and faculty from West Kentucky Community & Technical College's Radiography program participated in Project United Way in September 2021. They spent several hours sprucing up Lone Oak Elementary School by painting several outside entrance doors and basketball goals on the playground. Project United is the United Way of Paducah-McCracken County's annual community-wide day of service, which kicks-off the organization's annual workplace giving campaign each September. Many volunteers completed projects at non-profit agencies including painting, landscaping, office support, and much more. Thank you to our students and faculty and all this year's volunteers for helping to make a positive difference in the community. #wkctcproud

West Kentucky Community and Technical College student Muhammad Bilal recently volunteered at Paducah's Family Sercices Society as part of WKCTC's Service Learning Program. Going above the hour requirement for the program, Muhammad continues to assist Family Service Society, most recently with a Mercy Health Iron Mom painting project. Way to go, Muhummad!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College's student justice club, Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), presented a ceremonial check for $1,470 to Paducah's Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center October 15, 2020, outside the college's Student Center. Great job everyone!

Eagle Scout Caleb Buford, a student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, was recently featured in the Paducah Sun for his work helping Scouts across Kentucky make progress on their merit badges during COVID-19. Caleb teaches a group of Boy Scouts using the virtual tool, Zoom. Caleb is a WKCTC Community Scholar Program student studying communications, and a graduate of McCracken Co. High School. The Eagle Scout Award is the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts. Caleb, a member of Boy Scout Troop 2066 sponsored by the Barlow United Methodist Church, earned his Eagle Scout Award in January 2018. Thanks Caleb for what you're doing for your fellow Scouts!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College's chapter of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN) recently raised $357 for Paducah's Hope Unlimited Family Care Center. The money was raised through a bake sale and walking taco lunch at WKCTC. Four NAPLN students and faculty advisors presented the check to Hope Unlimited representative Nicole Farley in early March 2020. Great job!

On Friday, January 24, 2020, seven West Kentucky Community and Technical College dental assisting students and two, fourth year University of Louisvile dental students, with Paducah dentist Dr. Daniel Abell, participated in one of the children's dental clinics on the WKCTC campus each semester. WKCTC, UofL and the Purchase Area Health Education Center (AHEC) partner for the clinics once a month each semester to provide free dental care for kids. The kids who attend the clinic are scheduled through Missy Stokes, AHEC center director. WKCTC provides dental assistants and the facility and UofL students provide the dental work including restorative and preventive treatments. Dr. Abell (general dentist) supervised the January 24 clinic. Eleven children were treated at that clinic. All ten current WKCTC dental assisting and other local dentists participate in AHEC dental clinics for children throughout the semester. Way to go everyone!

Several students in the physical therapist assistant program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College recently participated in the 2019 international Physical Therapy Day of Service by volunteering at the Regional Special Olympics Bowling Tournament in Paducah. Since its inception, Physical Therapy Day of Service (PTDOS) has grown exponential with service projects occurring each year in countries all over the world, and in all 50 states across the United States. PTDOS is the first global Day of Service coordinated by a physical therapy profession. It gives physical therapists and physical therapist assistants the chance to lead and serve at the same time.

Several members of the Kentucky Association of Nursing Students (KANS) chapter at West Kentucky Community and Technical College recently participated in the Purchase Area's 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer's in Paducah October 26. More than 350 people participated in 47 teams and raised $81,769. WKCTC's KANS chapter raised $1,040 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Faculty advisor Angela Fisher said KANS is the organization for students enrolled in the nursing program at WKCTC. The KANS students initially raise $400 at a fundraising Nacho bar. "These ladies worked hard and were able to raise additional monies, along with many other classmates, bringing their total to over $1000," Fiser said shortly after the walk. "Today, they represented KANS and WKCTC with pride."

In September 2019, Alpha Epsilon Beta students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, with the help of faculty, staff and other students, collected new and used stuffed animals and books for the McCracken County Family Court in support of children who, at no fault of their own, find themselves in the system. The donated items were delivered in early October. Court administrators were delighted and very appreciative. Way to go everyone! Alpha Epsilon Beta is WKCTC's Criminal Justice Club.

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.

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!

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!!

The Alpha Epsilon Beta club at West Kentucky Community and Technical College raised $1,150 at a recent "dough raiser" at Pizza Inn in Paducah. The club donated the money to the Police Foundation of Paducah/McCracken County for its K-9 project. The project will help to replace two of the Paducah Police Department's K-9s, Huub and Junior, that are expected to retire within the next two years.

Several West Kentucky Community and Technical College nursing students and their instructor recently volunteered at the CenterPoint Recovery Center for Men's Eighth Annual Recovery Picnic at Noble Park in Paducah. As a community outreach, WKCTC nursing students chose to volunteer at the picnic, representing both the nursing program and the college, said nursing instructor Angela Fiser. The event is one of several held throughout the year that CenterPoint hosts to bring awareness to substance abuse issues as well as give residents a taste of what it's like to have fun without being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The picnic is open to the entire recovery community, which allows CenterPoint residents the opportunity to meet others who have successfully navigated the struggles of substance abuse and are now in recovery. The picnic featured food, live music, inflatables and face painting for children along with other family activities.

WKCTC students who are members of the college's AEB justice club helped organize this year's annual 5K run/walk that raised $2400 last month for Paducah's Child Watch. The students and AEB advisor, Gary Reese, presented the check from the event to Child Watch representatives May 10. Way to go everyone!!

Students in West Kentucky Community and Technical College's surgical technology program recently provided more than 300 area senior citizens with holiday gifts. Debbie Swain, WKCTC's surgical technology program coordinator, said the students were able to distributed gifts through Paducah Family Services. Pictured from left to right: surgical tech students Ashley Brunston, Brandy Bryson, Karson Canup, Kaila Deering, Russell Shemberger, Jessica Devane, Emma Furches and Julie Surerus. Great job students!

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College were involved in activities to promote kindergarten readiness at the 2018 Kindergarten Ready Fair on March 24, 2018. During the fair held in WKCTC's Haws Gym, the students played math concept games, participated in health and wellness informative activities, and assisted "Pete the Cat" as he entertained the children. The WKCTC students also handed out door prizes and guided families to the 30-different vendor and activity tables at the fair. Pictured are WKCTC students: (Kneeling left to right) Stephanie Stevenson (PTA), Tahneshia Bradshaw (PTA), Grace Tracy (ICEC), Savannah McKee (IECE), and CharLea Davidson (IECE) (Second row) Audrey Leneave (IECE), Keristen Patterson (IECE), Roberto Mateo (PTA), Brandi Pearson (PTA), Lorie Trivette (IECE), Kat McMinn (IECE), Michelle Mims (PTA), and Julie Wooldridge (PTA). (Back row) Felicia Chandler (IECE). Not pictured: IECE students LaTasha Burns, Crystal Hansen, and Christina Terrell. Great job!!

The officers from West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Kentucky Association of Nursing Students (KANS) made a philanthropic contribution to Centerpoint Recovery Center for Men on Tuesday November 21, 2017. Through several fundraising activities, KANS was able to contribute $1000 to this facility. Centerpoint Recovery Center is a Recovery Kentucky residential long term recovery center for men struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. It is a peer-driven community that includes a transitional phase back into society and is part of Four Rivers Behavioral Health. Pictured left to right are: Mikaela Chilton, Chelsea Cartwright, Heather McNeil, Teresa Fleming (LPN, Four Rivers Behavioral Health), Shanna Agin, Kaycee Byrd, Jonathan Bouland and Christy Petitt (KANS Advisor).

The Kiwanis Club of Downtown Paducah generously donated $2,475 to West Kentucky Community and Technical College's radiography students for helping out with this year's BBQ on the River. The students will be using these funds to help offset the cost of taking their national registry exam, with a portion of the funds going to charity! Congratulations to the WKCTC radiography program and students!

Nursing and physical therapist assistant students from West Kentucky Community and Technical College worked with patients at the 2017 Purchase Area Diabetes Expo held at the McCracken County Extension office on October 28, 2017. Nursing students performed A1C (diabetes) tests and the PTA students performed foot screenings for peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Over 30 people were screened. Pictured left to right are: Jeriel Clark, Carla Cornelius, Tahneisha Bradshaw, Jessica Mathews, Jami Trevarrow, Veronica Tucker, Amy Bontrager (Bellarmine PT student), Allison Wiles and Nicholas (Scott) Hunter.

Last night (October 25, 2017) dental assisting students from West Kentucky Community and Technical College volunteered to pass out goody bags for Trunk or Treat at Rosebower Baptist Church in Reidland to over 200 kids. Nice job ladies! Left to Right - Parker Wooley, Charla Ring, Kimberly "Brooke" Parnell, Brittany McClure, Graceson Fowler, Ana Bautista-Hurtado