Burris Chosen As Rogers Scholar

Past participants have described Rogers Scholars as an "experience of a lifetime."
Adair County's Erin Burris will get the chance this summer to have that experience herself and become part of a program that's providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to the region's future leaders.
Burris, a 16-year-old student at Adair County High School, will join 60 rising high school juniors from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky for an intensive one-week summer session of Rogers Scholars. The program will be held at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky., host site and program sponsor.
Rogers Scholars, named after U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers, (KY-05), emphasizes the development of technological skills and builds in participants a sense of leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to rural Kentucky.
Burris said she plans to use her experience in Rogers Scholars to garner ideas that she can bring home to Adair County for future community service projects.
"If I achieve the goals I set for myself, my home community is going to reap the benefits as well, she said.
Burris said she strives to be a role model for other teens by volunteering with a number of organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House, a nursing home, and a local food bank. She is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"The Center is very excited about the Rogers Scholars program this summer," Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training, said. "We received a large number of applications again this year, and we look forward to meeting all the students who were selected to participate."
"These students will become our region's future leaders," Melton continued. "The Center is anxious to provide them with skills that they need to succeed in life and their future careers."
Graduates of Rogers Scholars-The Center's flagship youth program-are eligible to apply for college scholarships from 13 colleges and universities.
The students, who currently are completing their sophomore year, were selected from The Center's 42-county primary service area to represent their home counties as Rogers Scholars. They will be attending one of two week-long summer sessions planned for June 28-July 3 and July 12-17.
During each of the sessions, Scholars will receive hands-on instruction in one of their declared majors-information technology, video production or engineering-participate in a series of team-building leadership exercises, be involved in a community service project, and interact with some of the nation's leading entrepreneurs and renowned business professionals.
"The Center's mission is to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solu-tions," Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, said. "We will accomplish that goal by providing our youth the skills they need to thrive and succeed in their careers without having to leave our region."
"I truly believe if we keep these talented young people at home, we can transform this region for generations to come," Lawson added.
Burris, who plans to pursue a career in the healthcare profession, is the daughter of Justin and Pam Burris, Moseley Drive, Columbia.
Since 1996, approximately 599 Rogers Scholars have graduated from the program and potential scholarships, valued at $7.2 million, have been offered to graduates by participating colleges and universities.
The program continues to re-enforce the goals and vision of Congressman Rogers that "...that no young person will need to leave home to find his or her future."