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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