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!

Due to COVID-19, physical therapist assistant (PTA) students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College had their "First-Ever Best Stay Safe at Home Activity/Photo Contest" in April 2020. Students sent in photos and shared what they are doing with their families while staying safe and healthy at home. PTA Program Coordinator Mary Jo Campbell said there were "lots of great pictures with kids and dogs and surprisingly a lot of other animals too!" The PTA students who submitted photos were: 1st year students: Jessi Brewer Leah Kluemper (Mary) Carson Dubrock Allie Davis Deane White Randi Futrell Courtney Burkeen 2nd year students: Caitlin Shaffer Emily Crawford Walker Grubbs Kate Moore Kayla Baker Andrea Favela The winner was Jessi Brewer. This is what she said about her photo: "...helping my Grandpa who had a stroke last year get back on a horse! He was a three-time world champion barrel racer and wanted to get back in the saddle!" Jessi's prize was extra credit bonus points on her final exam and a "free homework pass". Great job to all the PTA students!

Paducah's John Putney was recently named West Kentucky Community and Technical College's March Student of the Month. A criminal justice major at WKCTC, Putney serves as the president of Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), the college's criminal justice club. Upon graduating from the college, Putney plans to transfer to Murray State University this fall to continue his education with a focus in criminal justice and social work. Congratulations!

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!

Congratulations to Olivia Chell for being named 2020 February Student of the Month at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Olivia lives in Pope County, Illinois, and is studying to be a social worker. At WKCTC, she serves as the Student Government Association president, a student ambassador, a member of the Hispanic Culture Club, and has been attending the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Student Leadership Series in 2019-2020. At WKCTC and at the KCTCS, Olivia strives to find new ways to encourage students to get involved on campus and to have the best educational experience possible. Olivia plans to transfer to a four-year universtiy when she graduates from WKCTC. Way to go, Olivia!

Dental Assistant Recognition Week (also known as DARW) is held the first full week in March each year. The dental assistant students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College celebrate DARW 2020 on March 1-6. Each is choosing to do something special for the dental assistants at their clinical sites, such as taking sweet treats to the sites and writing a thank you card! WKCTC dental assisting program faculty also recognized the Class of 2020 dental assisting students by surprising them with a brunch on March 2 to celebrate the week. Congrats to all the students!

Four WKCTC students are serving as student ambassadors during spring 2020. Student ambassadors are outstanding student leaders selected to publicly represent WKCTC, Office of Student Services, and the community in a multitude of essential capacities. The ambassador is positive, professional, displays enthusiasm, and a genuine desire and spirit of helpfulness. They seek increased involvement and knowledge of academic programs, student concerns, employee roles, college resources, facilities, and social interaction. The ambassadors are part of a dynamic team of student leaders, dedicated to creating positive change and student success. Ambassadors make students and campus guests feel welcomed, comfortable, and supported through building strong connections. Ambassadors, thank you for all you do for WKCTC and the community! If other WKCTC students are interested in becoming a student ambassador, just visit the WKCTC website at westkentucky.kctcs.edu and search for student ambassador to find out how.

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!

More than 525 students were recently named to the Dean's List for the Fall 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 Fall 2019 Dean's List recipients are listed below.

Congratulations to Trina Cruse, a nontraditional student who is returning to WKCTC. She registered for the spring 2020 semester during the week of January 6-10, when the college was open for extended hours. Students who registered during that week were entered into a drawing for a gift basket from Paducah's Midtown Market. Trina won! She is returning to WKCTC after more than ten years. She earned as associate in science degree and has come back to earn an associate in applied science degree in medical information technology, medical coding. Trina plans to work from home upon graduating, and hopes to continue her education at WKCTC in the future to become a nurse. Welcome back, Trina!

Courtney McMackin was all smiles as she accepted her Holiday Gift to Yourself grand prize from WKCTC President Anton Reece on December 13, 2019. Holiday Gift to Yourself encouraged students to register early for the 2020 spring semester and have their names entered into a prize drawing. WKCTC students who registered for spring classes were entered into the drawing for a $50 gift card, with one student winning a card each week between October 29 and December 10. As the grand prize winner, Courtney won a $50 gift card as well as $500 toward 2020 spring tuition! Courtney is studying to be an elementary school teacher. Congratulations Courtney and all the WKCTC student winners!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized more than 175 candidates for graduation who participated in its Fall Commencement Ceremony at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center December 16, 2019. More than 1,000 WKCTC students were conditionally eligible to receive one or more associate degrees, diplomas or certificates during Fall 2019.

Congratulations to the winners of the Sustainability Month Donation Challenge for The Campus Cupboard food pantry at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. The winners were announced early in November 2019. First place winners were the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Educators (IECE) club. Before donating their boxes of instant oatmeal, they spelled out IECE! for a photo with the boxes. Their group won $100. Second place winner ($50) was Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), for their donations of canned carrots. Third place winner ($25) was the West Kentucky men's basketball club for donations of canned pasta. The Campus Cupboard is always appreciative of all donations of shelf-stable food, as well as toiletries and personal hygiene products. Participation in this contest helped stock the shelves!

Several West Kentucky Community and Technical College business students volunteered their time at the unveilling of the college's new Business Immersion Center. Students demonstrated the benefits of having a center to incorporate enhanced technology and innovations into the classroom while providing students with a collaborative creative workspace. The new center will allow students in WKCTC's business programs to use workplace-based computer simulations to help students develop soft skills and professional behavior needed in today's workplace. Students who helped at the grand opening of the center on Nov. 21 were Kylie Cavanah, Kelsey Couch, Nakyia Kelly and Hannah Lester, all of Paducah, Alisha Boone of Grand Rivers, Tish Canter of Symsonia, Lindy Warner of Fancy Farm, Audrey Thompson of Metropolis, Ill, Patrick Stephens of Benton, and Greg Kildow of Almo.

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."

National Pharmacy Technician Day 2019 was October 15. In a morning math calculations class, several students in the Pharmacy Technology Program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College celebrated the day with an eye-opening cake. A pharmacy technician plays a vital role in assisting pharmacists and providing safe care to patients in a wide variety of settings. Future employment for these students may include pharmacy settings in retail, hospital, compounding, veterinary, and oncology centers. Nice job!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!!

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.

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 !