News

The Center for Rural Development Announces 185 Students Selected to Attend Rogers Explorers

One hundred and eighty-five students – incoming high school freshmen - from Southern and Eastern Kentucky have been selected to participate in the 2025 Rogers Explorers Program.

Rogers Explorers is an intensive three-day, two-night summer leadership program presented by The Center for Rural Development in partnership with the University of Pikeville, Union Commonwealth University, Morehead State University, University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College, and Eastern Kentucky University.

The program is open to eighth-grade students in The Center’s 45-county primary service area who have a strong interest in developing their skills in leadership, team building, community service, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields of study.

“The Rogers Explorers Program encourages middle school students to develop their leadership skills, STEM disciplines, and explore new adventures while spending time on a leading Kentucky college campus,” said Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center for Rural Development. “We’re excited to welcome our 2025 Class of Rogers Explorers and for them to start their journey.”

Students accepted into the 2025 Rogers Explorers Program are:

Adair County

  • Maddie Wethington

Bath County

  • Emma Conyers
  • Emma Johnson
  • Evalee Brewer
  • Rogan Alderman

Bell County

  • Aariz Ahmad
  • Allison “Allie” Osborne
  • Clara Strange
  • Elijah “Eli” McDermott
  • Jacklynn Patrick
  • Kinley Turner

Boyd County

  • Kaden Perkins
  • Kennedy “Sloane” Hicks

Breathitt County

  • Anna Watts
  • Jaiden Ritchie
  • Sebrina Jiang

Casey County

  • Bryson Holt
  • Ella Buis
  • Ellen Bastin
  • Landon Porter
  • Landrie Lawhorn
  • Logan White
  • Madison Scott

Clay County

  • Silas Hyde

Clinton County

  • Alison “Ali” Claborn
  • Breannah “Bre” Huckaby
  • Jersie Smith

Cumberland County

  • Andew Spears
  • Isabella “Izzy” Turner
  • Kyle Riley

Elliott County

  • Samuel “Sam” Maggard

Estill County

  • Cody Cox

Floyd County

  • Adalyn Hall
  • Brennan Fleenor
  • Jonah Watts
  • Mason Case
  • Piper Frye

Garrard County

  • Brayden Hunt
  • Cara Meade
  • Jedidiah “Jedi” Pfeifer

Green County

  • Lincoln Shaw
  • Owen Olson

Harlan County

  • James “Grant” Lee
  • Shaedyn Crow

Jackson County

  • Nevaeh Miller
  • Nickolas “Nick” Seals

Jessamine County

  • Adam Hoffner
  • Blake Brumfield
  • Elizabeth “Lizzy” Teater
  • Hannah Jones
  • Jacob Simpson
  • Mimi Brooks
  • Noelle Stevenson

Johnson County

  • Addison “Addie” Hicks
  • Aria Burke
  • Ava King
  • Harper Cantrell
  • Kendyl Baker
  • Leah Hall
  • Ved Patel

Knott County

  • Madelynn “Maddie” Roe

Knox County

  • Amelia Jones
  • Anna Jo Sams
  • Caroline Mahan
  • David Abner
  • Faith Jones
  • Jennalee Crase
  • Madison Wilson
  • Paige Kfoury
  • Shelbi Smith
  • Zephyr Nedlo

Laurel County

  • Adeline Blevins
  • Alyssa Allen
  • Brennan Miller
  • Gabriella “Gabby” Patton
  • Ross Ryser

Lawrence County

  • Aubrey Brady
  • Destiny “Dezi” Robinson
  • Laila Dolen
  • Lauren Sammons

Lee County

  • Allison “Allie” Smith
  • Jacob Ward
  • Macy Noe
  • Elijah Caudill

Leslie County

  • Madisyn Farler

Letcher County

  • Hope Anderson
  • Maggie Pratt

Lincoln County

  • Carter Whobrey
  • Dennalyn “Deni” Bailey
  • Jenna Baker
  • Sadie Preston
  • Stella Beth Hart

Magoffin County

  • Brooklynn Allen
  • Finley Rudd
  • Jerry “Turner” Dunn
  • Lacie Tibbs
  • Luke Estep

Martin County

  • Hope Caldwell
  • Madelyn “Maddy” Goble

McCreary County

  • Hayden Bryant
  • Jayden Watts
  • Kassidy Garland

Menifee County

  • Lexie Smallwood

Metcalfe County

  • Blaine Walker
  • Destiny Rhinehart
  • Maya Gonsalves
  • Miles Sanderson

Monroe County

  • Jacelyn Strode
  • Jaxon Jones
  • Zander “Zane” Strode

Morgan County

  • Allison “Allie” Engle
  • Harley Golson

Owsley County

  • Cheylbie Hudson
  • Lyla Spence
  • Porsche Marcum

Perry County

  • Addison “Addi” Combs
  • Austin Messer
  • Jackson Collins
  • Judson “Krue” Miller
  • Rocky “Landon” Welch
  • Sean Coleman
  • Zane Collins

Pike County

  • Amelia Dillon
  • David Legault
  • Jaxson Baldwin
  • Lindsay Norman
  • Ryesen “Lillee” McCoy
  • Tyler Chen

Pulaski County

  • Adalynn Murray
  • Carson Cox
  • Carson Anderkim
  • Charles “Charlie” Adams
  • Emerye Hunt
  • Evan Lewis
  • Haley Bragg
  • Harlee Barnett
  • Isaac Murray
  • Isabella Avera
  • Jasmine Nettleton
  • Jasper Pace
  • Jocelyn Poynter
  • Julia Poynter
  • Kendyl Meadows
  • Khushi Patel
  • Luke Burnett
  • McKinley Lewis
  • Paxton Butcher
  • Reagan Davis
  • Tyler “Ty” Coffey
  • Wakely Keller
  • Whitney VanHook

Rockcastle County

  • Amaya Hess
  • James Perkins

Rowan County

  • Braden Furman
  • Jake Lucas
  • Kate Roberts
  • Reagan Eldridge

Russell County

  • Allison “Allie” Bailey
  • Brinda Patel
  • Layknn Turner
  • Linden-Kate Wilson

Taylor County

  • Ann De Grez
  • Athena Angel
  • Aubreigh Knifley
  • Erika “Kaye” Underwood
  • Isaiah Litton
  • Jacob Bott
  • Madeline “Maddie” Call
  • Taylor Houk

Wayne County

  • Braylee Kidd
  • Chloe Smith
  • Clark Phillips
  • Kennedi Sloan
  • Madison “Maddie” Bertram
  • William Alley

Whitley County

  • Aarya Patel
  • Brylee Hamblin
  • Ella Hammons
  • Emma Rice
  • Emma-Grace Faulkner
  • Jonah Lee
  • Karis Willis

Wolfe County

  • Addison “Addie” Miller
  • Marshall Spencer
  • Sarah Olivia “Olivia” Waters


The Rogers Explorers Program will be held at the University of Pikeville, June 3-5; Union Commonwealth University, June 9-11; Morehead State University, June 24-26; University of the Cumberlands, June 30-July 2; Lindsey Wilson College, June 8-10; and Eastern Kentucky University, July 22-24.

For more information about Rogers Explorers, please call 606-677-6000, visit www.centertech.com, or email ".

Established in 1996 through the vision of U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers, (KY-05), and other leaders, The Center for Rural Development is a nonprofit organization fueled by a mission to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions and a better way of life in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. In its 45-county primary service region, The Center provides innovative programs in leadership, public safety, technology, and arts and culture. The Center is committed to constantly expanding its capabilities in order to deliver a range of key services throughout Kentucky and the nation.

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