Education Cabinet
36 Kentuckians win Education-at-Work Scholarships
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 19, 2007) — Kentucky Education Cabinet Secretary Laura E. Owens presented the cabinet’s Education-at-Work scholarship to 36 Kentuckians July 18 in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. The cabinet gave the $1,000 scholarships to students who are pursuing postsecondary education in Kentucky.
About 200 Kentuckians applied for the ninth annual scholarship competition. Including this year, the cabinet has awarded 246 scholarships totaling $156,000 for postsecondary education. The scholarship began under the former Cabinet for Workforce Development and has grown from 20 scholarships in 1999 to this year’s 36 scholarships.
Secretary Owens said she was impressed with the level of commitment the winners have shown toward achieving their education and career goals.
“The efforts of today’s recipients show the commitment to make our commonwealth an excellent place to live and work,” Secretary Owens said. “We only can accomplish those goals through raising the levels of education and workforce training of our citizens.”
Kentuckians qualified for the scholarship by using one of the services of the Education Cabinet’s Department for Workforce Investment or Kentucky Adult Education in the Council on Postsecondary Education, such as vocational rehabilitation, adult learning centers, GED preparation, secondary Kentucky Tech school, unemployment insurance, job placement, dislocated worker or Workforce Investment Act assistance. Scholarship applicants were required to write an essay on Kentucky’s new ‘Unbridled Spirit’ brand and how it relates to their educational and career goals. The $1,000 scholarships may be used for tuition, books and lab and technology fees.
The following list of the scholarship winners includes information about them.
Cindy Abbott, 51, of Mt. Sterling plans to study social work at Morehead State University and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Devin Brownlow, 18, of Louisville is majoring in justice administration at the University of Louisville. He is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Brittney Bruner, 18, of Harned plans to study communications at the University of Louisville. She is a customer of the Office of Career and Technical Education.
Benjamin Cassell, 20, of Alexandria is studying economics and accounting at Northern Kentucky University. He is a customer of the Office for the Blind.
Portia Conway, 26, of Ashland is studying elementary education at Ashland Community and Technical College and is a customer of Kentucky Adult Education.
Lorri Damron, 20, of Mt. Sterling is majoring in elementary education at Eastern Kentucky University. She is a customer of the Office for the Blind. This is the second year that she has won the scholarship.
Sheila Daniel, 33, of Van Lear is studying dental hygiene at Big Sandy Community and Technical College and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Glenda Daugherty, 49, of Battletown is studying human services at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. She is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Nicholas Dunn, 22, of Hustonville is majoring in civil engineering at the University of Kentucky and is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This is the fourth year that he has won the scholarship.
Steven Evans, 18, of Campton plans to study business at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Samanthia Farthing, 20, of Martin is majoring in psychology at the University of Kentucky. She is a customer of the Office for the Blind.
Robin Ferguson, 42, of Louisville is studying accounting at National College. She is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Dana Fields, 30, of Lexington is studying psychology and counseling at the University of Kentucky and is a customer of the Office for the Blind.
Laura Fox, 42, of Princeton is majoring in business at Mid-Continent University and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Lacy Hall, 18, of Louisa plans to study nursing at Ashland Community and Technical College and is a customer of Kentucky Adult Education.
Megan Harris, 20, of Banner attends Big Sandy Community and Technical College and is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Keri Howitz, 20, of Lexington is majoring in education at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This is the second year that she has won the scholarship.
Molly Keck, 18, of Gray Hawk plans to study radiology and nuclear medicine at Somerset Community College. She is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Casey Kurkowski, 19, of Pikeville is studying communications at the University of Kentucky and is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Donovan Lauderback, 32, of Louisville is majoring in social work at Spalding University and is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This is the second year that he has won the scholarship.
Sarah Lester, 18, of Mayfield plans to study nursing at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. She is a customer of the Office of Career and Technical Education.
Cindy Lipps, 21, of Manchester is studying dietetics at Eastern Kentucky University and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Ashley Markin, 18, of Stanford plans to study nursing at Pikeville College and is a customer of Kentucky Adult Education.
Krystol Miller, 17, of Boston plans to study nursing at Thomas More College. She is a customer of the Office of Career and Technical Education.
Sara Mudd, 25, of Louisville is majoring in history at the University of Louisville and is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This is the sixth year that she has won the scholarship.
Lindsey Newland, 23, of Grayson is majoring in social work at the University of Kentucky. Newland is a customer of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Jerrica Payton, 18, of Liberty plans to attend the University of the Cumberlands. She is a customer of the Office of Career and Technical Education.
Katlin Pritchett, 18, of Clay plans to study health care at Campbellsville University. She is a customer of the Office of Career and Technical Education.
April Stearns, 23, of Cave City is majoring in elementary education at Western Kentucky University and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Cassandra Silkwood, 18, of Gilbertsville plans to study nursing at West Kentucky Community and Technical College and is a customer of Kentucky Adult Education.
Ashley Taylor, 20, of Hindman is studying physical therapy at Hazard Community and Technical College and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Dustin Taylor, 20, of London is studying graphic design at Somerset Community College and is a customer of Kentucky Adult Education and Office of Employment and Training.
Lynice Thompson, 31, of Louisville plans to study nursing at Jefferson Community College. She is a customer of Kentucky Adult Education.
Holly Waddle, 19, of Jackson is studying nursing at Hazard Community and Technical College. She is a customer of the Office of Career and Technical Education.
Annette Walton, 48, of Bowling Green is studying paralegal studies at Western Kentucky University and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
Leslie Wilson, 22, of Tompkinsville is majoring in elementary education at Western Kentucky University and is a customer of the Office of Employment and Training.
The Education Cabinet coordinates learning programs from P-16, and manages and supports training and employment functions in the Department for Workforce Investment. For more information about our programs, visit www.educationcabinet.ky.gov or www.workforce.ky.gov or call 502-564-6606, or visit Kentucky Adult Education at www.kyae.ky.gov or call 502-573-5114.