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!!

More than 500 students were recently named to the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Dean's List for the Fall 2018 semester. 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.

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!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College students Scott Posey and Judah Cashon successfully obtained the CompTIA A+ certification in December 2018. The CompTIA or the Computing Technology Industry Association is a non-profit trade association that issues professional certifications for the information technology industry. Successfully completing the A+ certification process demonstrates that an individual has the equivalent experience of an information te chnology professional with at least 500 hours of hands on computer repair experience. According to CompTIA, "IT professionals with certifications on their resume command better jobs, earn higher salaries and have more doors open to new multi-industry opportunities." Congratulations Scott and Judah!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized more than 190 candidates for graduation who participated in its Fall Commencement Ceremony December 10, 2018 at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center. More than 1,100 WKCTC students were eligible to receive associate degrees, diplomas or certificates during the Fall 2018.

Congratulations to Betty Farr of Paducah for being named November Student of the Month at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Farr earned a business administration certificate in fall 2018. Having lived in many places and worked a variety of jobs in her life, when Farr moved back to Kentucky, she decided the time was right for her to go to college, and she chose WKCTC. She said she knew that going to college was important for her to have a career and set a positive example for her kids. A nontraditional student who had been out of school for many years, Farr said she found the extra help she needed at WKCTC in TRIO Student Support Services and the Tutoring Center. She said WKCTC is continuing to help her achieve her academic goals, "One day at a time. One class at a time. One semester at a time." Farr will begin working toward her associate degree in business administration in spring 2019. "Furthering my education has been a goal of mine..., and I am glad I started at WKCTC. I feel much stronger for the road ahead." Congrats Betty!

Congratulations to Allison Wiles and Abigail Fountain, physical therapist assistant students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College who were selected to the 2018 Kentucky Physical Therapy Association All-Academic Team in the college's current all semester. Both will graduate with an associate in applied science degree from WKCTC's Physical Therapist Assistant program December 10 at 7 p.m. at the Carson Four Rivers Center.

WKCTC student and Knott County resident Amy Hawkins is the 2018 Football Spring Registration Kickoff grand prize winner. She won $500 toward 2019 spring tuition! Amy also received a certificate as the grand prize winner from WKCTC President Dr. Anton Reece Thursday, November 29. The registration kickoff was a fun play on the popularity of the football season and encouraged students to register early for 2019 spring classes. Students who registered early during the month of October had their names entered into a prize drawing. A student's name was drawn each Monday for a prize between October 29 and November 19. In addition to Amy being the grand prize winner on November 19, other winners included: Week 1 (October 29) - Kaleb Binder, Talon Falls tickets; Week 2 (November 5) - Brock Burnham, WKCTC bookstore basket; Week 3 (November 12) - Colson Swinford, gas card. Congrats to Amy and all the winners!

Eighteen diesel technology students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College recently earned a biodiesel certification from the Kentucky Soybean Board and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). The students were presented with their certificates during a presentation at the college's Purchase Area Training Center on November 29, 2018.

Congratulations to Jonmichael Wentworth of Paducah for being named Student of the Month for September 2018 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. "I feel honored to be selected as Student of the Month, especially since there are so many great students here," said Wentworth, a criminal justice major. He said his father and grandfather, who are retired police officers and his uncle, who is currently working with the Paducah Police Department inspired him to choose to study criminal justice. Wentworth said his advisor and friend Gary Reese has been "a tremendous role model for me and has helped me achieve my goals here at WKCTC." He said the college offers exactly what he needs to become qualified for a law enforcement position, adding his life goals are to help as many people as he can and to help make a positive impact in the community any way he can.

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.

The following students have earned recognition for their academic work by being named to the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Dean's List for the Spring 2018 semester. 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.

Congratulations to the 60 nursing students who recently received their nursing pins at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's 2018 Spring Commencement! Thirty-four WKCTC students received pins representing the completion of the associate degree in nursing program and 26 received pins representing the completion of the practical nursing program. Congrats everyone on your fantastic accomplishment!

At the end of July, WKCTC's Class of 2018 diagnostic medical sonography students had a pool party celebrating their 100% pass rate on the Specialty Physics Instrumentation exam that they took this summer. All the students passed the test on their first try! Way to go! Pictured left to right: Katelyn Williams, Christian Tate, Erin Goodaker, Rachel Phipps, McKenzie Hobbs, Haley Thurman, Hannah Abner, Shannie Henderson, Kiecyn Hamilton, Keaton Lewis, and Kayli Yates. Not Pictured: Kara McKinley

More than 80 WKCTC students recevied special recognition at the 2018 Student Development Leader Recognition Luncheon Red Carpet event earlier in the spring semester. The luncheon was designed with student, campus and community leaders in mind to recognize exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Awardees included those dedicated to diversity and inclusion, community service, as well as the college's SGA officers, student ambassadors, West Kentucky basketball players, Students of the Month and Student of the Year, campus clubs and others. Community organizations were also honored during the event. Congrats to everyone!

WKCTC students volunteered to make this year's Eggstravaganza that was held earlier in the spring 2018 semester another big success! Thanks for all your hard work to make the day special for the kids and their families!

Seventy-one WKCTC students received honor awards during the 2018 Honors Ceremony held in the Clemens Fine Arts Theatre May 3. Congrats everyone!

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!!

April Clark of Paducah was named April Student of the Month at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Congrats April!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized more than 250 candidates for graduation who participated in its Spring Commencement Ceremony May 5, 2018, at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center. More than 1,000 WKCTC students were eligible to receive associate degrees, diplomas or certificates during Spring 2018.

Seven students in the inaugural cohort of the Kentucky Federation for Advancing Manufacturing Education (KY FAME) program recently graduated from West Kentucky Community and Technical College with an advanced manufacturing credential.

Three West Kentucky Community and Technical College students were recently elected officers of the college's Student Government Association. The 2018-2019 officers are Jon Bilak, president; Dylan Richards, vice president, and Tor Gar, secretary, all of Paducah. Congratulations, guys!

Congratulations to four West Kentucky Community and Technical College students who recently won honorable mention in the 2018 Libraries Transform student essay contest. The contest is sponsored by the Community & Technical College Round Table of the Kentucky Library Association (KLA). Each of the four WKCTC students received a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card for their essays. Way to go!