Paintsville Junior High School student Matt Daniel knew he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare.

He has always been interested in radiology, but it was not until he attended this summer’s session of Rogers Explorers youth leadership program on the campus of Morehead State University (MSU) that he discovered his true passion for this expanding field in medicine.

“My favorite activity was the radiology lab, where we looked at x-rays,” said the 14-year-old student from Johnson County. “Seeing what it is like to work in that career makes me want to be a radiologist even more.”

Twenty-nine rising ninth-grade students from all across Southern and Eastern Kentucky were on the MSU campus—the newest host site for Rogers Explorers—July 22-24 for the fourth and final summer session of the youth leadership program.

During the program, Rogers Explorers experience first-hand what it takes to start their journeys toward building careers in math, science, and technology, all while developing their leadership skills as the region’s next generation of business and entrepreneurial leaders.

“It is encouraging to see these students in the Rogers Explorers program have their eyes on the future,” said Delaney Stephens, youth programs coordinator and community liaison for The Center. “By participating in this program, they have the unique opportunity to receive hands-on instruction in today’s high-demand math and science careers.”

Rogers Explorers spend three days and two nights on a leading college campus working closely with experts to take their math, science, and technology skills to the next level and see what it takes to build a career in these highly skilled fields.

“This program has provided a helpful learning experience in the field of math and science,” said North Laurel County High School student Kelsy Matney, who is interested in seeking a career in anesthesiology. “The activity I enjoyed most was using the ultrasound equipment.”

The Rogers Explorers youth leadership program is presented by The Center for Rural Development in partnership with the University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College, Eastern Kentucky University, and Morehead State University.

Graduates of the MSU Rogers Explorers summer session and their home counties are as follows:

• Porsche Maness — Bath County
• Shey Trent, Brady Salisbury, and Ally Spencer—Breathitt County
• Mary Mansfield—Estill County
• Tate Greene, Tyra Nairn, and Jordan Pack—Floyd County
• Matthew Daniel, Kirkland Fletcher, Grant Wheeler, and Brooke Griffith—Johnson County
• Clay Sprinkles—Knox County
• Kelsy Matney and Daniel Poston—Laurel County
• Ariel C. Emberton—Monroe County
• Graham Lewis and Chase Wagers—Morgan County
• Hannah Melton—Perry County
• Brynlee Bigelow, Jordan LaFavers, John Lewis, Anna Rogers, Bailey Shackelford,  and John Wilson—Pulaski County
• Emily Moore and Garrett Little—Rowan County
• Rachel Bertram—Wayne County
• Vanessa Yeary—Wolfe County

Click here  to view other photographs from 2012 Rogers Explorers on the Morehead State University campus.

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