Last week, 42 RCMS students participated in the first Congressional Academy in Rockcastle County. Funded by the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC), students enjoyed a week of meeting with community leaders, activists, and volunteers. They also visited the Rockcastle Public Library and the Kentucky State Capitol. Throughout the week, students worked on Civic Action Projects, in which they chose an issue in our county and created a plan to solve it. Some of their ideas include: road safety, a community hygiene center, and more local childcare options. These students are the inaugural class of the new RCMS Civics Club and will continue to work on their projects throughout the 2024-2025 school year with the support of teacher advisors Hannah Laswell, Heather McGuire, and Brittany Adams, as well as community members. Each of these students embody the motto, “Rocket learners to Rocket leaders.” A special thanks to Rockcastle County Schools food service, transportation department, and administration for their support throughout the week. We would like to thank the following community members for their contributions to our camp. They not only visited and spoke about their positions, but they answered questions and offered guidance on the students' projects. They inspired our students to think about all that Rockcastle County has to offer, as well as how we can all make it better!
•Kara Brown, MVES Preschool Teacher •Rachelle Riddle, owner of Heart Studio, candidate for state representative, and community activist •Savanna Howell, Save the Children •Pam Chaliff and the Rockcastle County Public Library •Josh Bray, state representative •Jana Bray, Rockcastle Regional Hospital •Andrew Pensol, CSEPP •Hal Holbrook, County Judge Executive •Danetta Allen, County Clerk •Jeremy Neeley, Citizens Bank •Marcus Reppert, RCS Director of Student Services •Angie Payne, RCS Mental Health Coordinator •Andrew Laswell, USDA Farm Service Agency •Angie Woods, PA-C, RCS Board Member •Ethan Cima, Operation UNITE •Angie Stallsworth Mink, Volunteers of America, RCS Board Member •Jeff Vanhook, RCIDA
We also want to thank Citizen's Bank and Community Trust Bank for making generous donations!
