Messer named 2019 Rogers Scholar

Published 10:42 am Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The Center for Rural Development has selected Pineville Independent High School student Shane Messer to participate in the 2019 Rogers Scholars program.

Messer will join 66 high school students from Southern and Eastern Kentucky this summer for the 22nd annual Rogers Scholars youth leadership program.

Rogers Scholars, the center’s flagship youth program, was established through the vision of U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) that “no young person should have to leave home to find his or her future.”

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The intensive one-week summer program provides valuable leadership skills and exclusive college scholarship opportunities for high school students in 45 Kentucky communities to build their skills as the region’s next generation of business and entrepreneurial leaders.

“Rogers Scholars is an amazing program designed to give our youth a leg up in expanding their leadership skills while exposing them to new and creative ideas for our region of southern and eastern Kentucky,” said Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center for Rural Development.

Each graduate earns potential access to exclusive college scholarship opportunities from some of the state’s top-ranked colleges and universities. To be eligible, students have to complete a community service project in their hometown.

The 2019 Rogers Scholars program will be held June 9-14 on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, and July 14-19 on the campus of Morehead State University. There is no tuition charge to attend the program and lodging and food are provided free of charge to participants.

Messer is the son of David Messer and Elizabeth Messer, of Pineville.

Since 1998, more than 1,200 high school students from southern and eastern Kentucky have graduated from Rogers Scholars. The program provides opportunities for students to apply for scholarships from 19 Kentucky colleges and universities.

For more information about the Rogers Scholars program, contact Allison Cross, community liaison and youth programs coordinator at the center, at across@centertech.com or call 606-677-6019.