Local high school students Taylor Wesley and Catherine Smith graduated this summer from The Center for Rural Development’s 2017 Rogers Scholars program.

Rogers Scholars is an intensive one-week summer leadership program that provides valuable leadership skills and exclusive college scholarship opportunities for high school students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky to seize their full potential as the region’s next generation of business and entrepreneurial leaders.

“The Rogers Scholars program took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to make new friends,” said Wesley, a student at Lincoln County High School. “It truly was an experience of a lifetime.”

“Rogers Scholars has been an amazing experience,” added Smith of Lincoln County and a student at Somerset Christian School in neighboring Pulaski County. “I learned about leadership and how to be a better leader.”

Sixty-two high school students from 45 Kentucky counties graduated this summer from the 2017 Class of Rogers Scholars. The program was held on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College in South Central Kentucky in Adair County.

“We have had another incredible summer for the Rogers Scholars program,” said Laura Glover, Managing Director of Operations at The Center. “We’ve had students from all over Southern and Eastern Kentucky gather together to learn and grow with the program. This is an extremely intelligent and dedicated group of young individuals. We look forward to seeing what is in store for them in the future.”

Wesley is the daughter of Cindy and Jerry Wesley of Waynesburg. Smith is the daughter of Pam and Keith Smith of Waynesburg.

Since the program began, 1,182 high school students have graduated from Rogers Scholars, and potential scholarships valued at more than $7.2 million have been offered to graduates from 17 participating colleges and universities.

For more information about the Rogers Scholars program, call 606-677-6000 or visit www.centeryouthprograms.com.