The Governor's Scholars Program is a prestigious five week summer program that is limited to 1,000 of the state's most outstanding students. Established in 1983, the program provides academic and personal growth through the balance of a strong liberal arts program with a full co-curricular and residential life experience.
Zachary Stone is a member of the Academic Team, Drama Club, World Language Club, Biology Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Bowl Team and the Future Problem Solving Team. Community activities include Governor’s Cup volunteer, President’s Cup volunteer, National Weather Service Open House, Prostate Cancer 5k volunteer and tutoring. His parents are Vicki and Bill Stone.
Bailey Vick is a member of the MCHS varsity softball team, Future Business Leaders of America, Beta Club, National Honors Society, Intramural Sports, Peer Tutoring and Pep Club. Community activities include Groceries for Good, Concord Fall Festival volunteer, Lourdes Health & Wellness volunteer, serving on the Mayor's Youth Anti-Bullying Council, trainer at goPerformance, Child Care volunteer at goPerformance and volunteering at softball clinics. Her parents are Amy and Alan Vick.
Kourtney Stevens is a member of the MCHS varsity soccer team, Health Occupation Students of America, National Honors Society, Environmental Club, Intramural Sports, Student Government and the Art Club. Community activities include Heartland Ministry, Groceries for Good, Angel Tree, College and Career Fair volunteer, Prom Committee, Concord Elementary School Bash volunteer, Alzheimer’s Walk volunteer and Freshman Orientation volunteer. Her parents are Gayle Martin and Jeff Stevens.
Caroline Smith is a member of Student Government, Future Problem Solving Team, National Honors Society, Debate Team, Leadership Paducah Youth L.E.A.D. class of 2014-15, Kentucky Farm Bureau Outstanding Youth, National Spanish Honors Society, Academic Team, Future Business Leaders of America and Future Farmers of America President. Community activities include Groceries for Good, St. Francis De Sales Youth Group, Concord United Methodist Church Youth Group and Adoption Support Group volunteer. Her parents are Cindy and Steve Smith.
Caleigh Propes is a member of the MCHS Coed Cheerleading squad, Academic Team, Future Problem Solving Team, Student Government, Future Business Leaders of America, Beta Club, National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, Debate Team and the Science Bowl Team. Community activities include Heath Elementary School Future Problem Solving coach, tutoring, Heath Elementary School Jr. Division Academic Team coach, Certified Future Problem Solving Evaluator, Kentucky Association for Academic Competition Quick Recall official, Governor’s Cup volunteer, National Weather Service volunteer, Groceries for Good and President’s Cup volunteer. Her mother is Robin Propes.
Trent Porter is a member of the MCHS varsity football team, MCHS Coed Cheerleading squad, Teenage Republican Society, National Spanish Honors Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Intramural Sports, Debate Team, Acappella Choir and Concert Choir. Community activities include missions to El Salvador with Starfish Orphan Ministries, tutoring, Paducah Urban Plunge Camp, Community Kitchen, MCHS Cheer Clinic for Kids and Multiple Sclerosis Walk volunteer. His parents are Kristi and Terry Porter.
Caleb Burch is a member of the MCHS Coed Cheerleading squad, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Debate Team, Intramural Sports and National Honors Society. Community activities include tutoring, mission trips to Africa, MCHS Cheer Clinic for Kids, Walk for Water volunteer, Relay for Life volunteer and pianist for Immanuel Baptist Church. His parents are Melissa and Andy Burch.
Jessica Pafford if a member of the MCHS Cross Country team, MCHS Track team, Future Farmers of America and Choir. Community activities include mission work with God’s Appalachian Partnership, mentor and instructor at Little Dude’s Ranch, MCHS Glow Run volunteer and volunteering with elderly people in the community. Her parents are Anne and Randy Pafford.
David Banister is a member of the Paducah Swim Team, Leadership Paducah Youth L.E.A.D. class of 2014-15 and MCHS Mane Tale Yearbook co-editor. Community activities include Heartland Student Ministry, mission trips to South America and East Africa. His parents are Karen and Jason Banister.
Jeremy Latham is a member of the MCHS varsity soccer team, MCHS Track and Field, Beta Club, National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Intramural Sports. Community activities include Lone Oak First Baptist Youth Group, Baptist Health Auxiliary volunteer, Hendron-Lone Oak Fall Festival volunteer, Starfish Orphan Ministries mission work, Starfish Color Run volunteer and volunteer refereeing soccer games. His parents are Laurie and David Latham.
Evan Dowell is a member of the MCHS Robotics Team, Beta Club, Skills USA and Student Government. Community activities include volunteering at Baptist Health Paducah, McCracken County Humane Society volunteer, 8th-grade orientation volunteer and WKCTC First Tech Challenge volunteer. His parents are Dawn and Danny Dowell.
Emily Perry is a member of the MCHS Track and Field team, MCHS Basketball team, National Honors Society, Health Occupations Students of America Treasurer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Peer Tutoring, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Government and Beta Club. Community activities include Broadway Church of Christ Youth Group, Lourdes Hospital Teen Volunteer Program, Groceries for Good, Salvation Army, National Weather Service Open House volunteer, Alzheimer’s Walk volunteer and Bread of Life Ministry volunteer. Her parents are Julie and Kenny Perry.
Hannah Newberry is a member of the MCHS Tennis Team, Academic Team, Beta Club, Biology Club, National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Bowl Team, Prom Committee, Skills USA and Future Problem Solving Team. Community activities include Governor’s Cup volunteer, President’s Cup volunteer, tutoring, National Weather Service Open House volunteer, Prostate Cancer 5k volunteer, MCHS Glow Run volunteer and Concord Elementary School Fall Festival volunteer. Her parents are Robin and Brandon Newberry.
Madisen Elrod is a member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Environmental Club. Community activities include Twelve Oaks Baptist Church Youth Group, Groceries for Good and mission trips to Haiti. Her parents are Diana and Gary Elrod.
The scholars will assemble this year at Bellarmine University, Morehead State University, and Murray State University. The Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program provides students the opportunity for academic and personal growth in a challenging, non-traditional experience that balances a strong liberal arts program with a full co-curricular and residential life experience.
The mission of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program is to enhance Kentucky's next generation of civic and economic leaders.
