Weeklong academy gives students college perspective, real-world experience
By Bobbie Hayse Messenger-Inquirer –
Kalyn Williams said on Thursday that she recommends all rising high school seniors attend the Kentucky Wesleyan College Scholars’ Academy, because it has been a memorable experience that will help her in the future.
Williams, 17, of St. Louis, is among 20 other high school students who attended the weeklong academy at the school. This is the second annual KWC Scholars’ Academy that is a fast-paced college immersion program.
Tish Correa Osborne, CEO of Girls Incorporated, from left, Sylvia Coleman, Executive Director of Owensboro Human Relations Commission, and Jessica Kirk, Program and Events Manager and Exec. Director of Leadership Owensboro, speaks on Thursday in the women’s leadership panel during Kentucky Wesleyan College’s Scholars’ Academy.
“My brother is going to school here next semester, and I might be coming to school here also,” Williams said. “I wanted to come check out the campus, but also wanted to be involved in the leadership aspect of the program because I thought it would help me getting into college.”
Students involved in the program live on campus in residential dorms, participate in debates and in programming that perfects their communication and leadership skills, according to Rebecca McQueen, one of the academy programmers and KWC dean of student services.
McQueen said the scholars’ academy is good because it helps expose students to broad ideas. They engage in healthy discussion, she said, and learn to respectfully disagree with others, which is necessary in today’s world.
Camron Blandford, 17, of Owensboro, said she decided to attend the academy because she had never experienced college life before and thought it would be a good opportunity to do so.
Blandford said the programs have “really opened my eyes” to others’ opinions and views on life.
“It really makes me think about why I think the way I do,” she said.
Trent Catlett, 17, of Louisville, is a leader at his school through his involvement with the football team. He said this academy has helped him hone leadership skills that he hopes to take back to his classmates to help them, as well.
Students in the program represent 11 schools and are led by current KWC students who are their residential counselors. They have been participating in panel discussions with community leaders and have gone through programming emphasizing ethics, diversity and real-world issues, according to a press release sent by the school.
In order to be accepted into the academy, students had to complete an application process.
For more information about the KWC Scholars’ Academy, visit kwc.edu.
Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7315, Twitter: @BobbieHayseMI