Harlan County Public Schools Superintendent Brent Roark told a near capacity crowd at the Class of 2025 commencement on Sunday that great things are happening at Harlan County High School and the achievements of the 203 graduating seniors is a testament to their “personal dedication and work ethic.”
This was Roark’s last graduation as superintendent as he is retiring June 30th after leading the district for the last eight years and prior to that serving as an assistant superintendent, teacher and coach.
In addition to the dedication and work ethic, Roark complimented the support students’ families as well as the many opportunities being given through the efforts of the Board of Education and the staff at Harlan County High School.
“I urge the graduates to take advantage of the opportunities given and go out into the world and be successful, but never forget where you came from and who you are,” said Roark. “No matter how far you travel or what you achieve there will always be a part of Harlan County in your heart – embrace it and take pride in your family and heritage.”
“I congratulate each member of the 2024-25 graduating class and wish each of you the best of luck in your future endeavors,” he said.
Roark noted that this was the 17th graduating class since the school opened in the fall of 2008 and the first graduation held in spring 2009.
“This group of graduates started high school when we were still recovering from the Covid pandemic which disrupted all of our routines, including how we delivered instruction and the setting which classes were taught,” he said. “They persevered and sit here before you today as high school graduates.”
Roark highlighted some of the substantial advancements in facilities, buses, technology, food service and athletic opportunities not offered by neighboring districts. He emphasized that “We are most proud of the diversity of our class offerings and the high-level curriculum opportunities offered at Harlan County High School.”
Roark said Harlan County High School now offers one of the most comprehensive academic programs in the state, ranging from a thriving Project Lead the Way program to our well-established and expansive dual credit program.
He noted the upper level mathematics and science classes such as Calculus and Physics are taught on site by in-person instructors.
“These classes are set to be expanded even further this coming year with an exciting solar car program, as well as the addition of a transition to engineering class taught by on-site doctoral level staff,” he said.
Harlan County High School’s dual credit program and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) taught by in-person Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS) accredited instructors are unmatched of in our region.”
SACS accreditation certifies an institution meets and exceeds quality standards and is committed to continuous improvement.
Roark emphasized that the cost of dual credit classes is funded by the school district through the board of education and is not passed onto the student or families.
“Keep in mind that the cost of all dual credit classes is totally covered by our board of education,” he said.
“The proof and product of these enhanced curriculum efforts is setting before you today in this graduating class,” he said.
Roark asked those attending to allow him to share briefly some of the many successes of the Class of 25 at HCHS.
“We always have senior honors night the week before graduation. There are normally a few hundred people present, but nothing like the crowd we have here today. When people don’t attend the honors night program, they don’t get a full appreciation for vast number of awards and scholarships earned by these graduates,” he said.
“This year, honors night was May 14th , and it took well over three hours to complete . Eighty-one (81) of these graduates received awards and scholarships totaling more than three million dollars.
Asking students and be recognized for various accomplishments, Roark said, “At this time, I want to focus attention on the graduates and acknowledge just a small sample of the major academic accomplishments made by members of this graduating class.”
The eighty-one students awarded scholarships on May 14th stood to a loud round of applause. Additional students are still being awarded scholarships and the 81 does not reflect money awarded through the KEES program.
Among the 81, Roark noted that the following received full-tuition scholarships:
· Sarah Collett----- UK/ Stan Pigman’s Lighthouse Beacon Foundation
· Thomas Polson -----UK/Pigman
· Plez Dean -----UK/Pigman
· Bradley Brock ----UK/Pigman
· Ellie Clem --- Berea College
· Paul Robbins -- Alice Lloyd
· Cameron D. Brock --- Alice Lloyd
· Alexis Moore – Union College
· All 17 Valedictorians ( who will be individually recognized later) each received a full scholarship to SKCTC.
· Maddox Huff ---- East Tennessee State University
· Johnny Monroe- National Guard full tuition coverage to EKU.
Roark noted the significance of the dual credit program by recognizing two students who received two associate degrees from Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College before graduating high school: Emily Carmack and Kaitlyn Daniels.
“These young ladies took full advantage of the district’s dual credit program to complete their associate degrees while at HCHS.”
He highlighted the high number of students taking the dual credit classes, calling on students to stand with their specific number of credits. These included:
19· 19 students who took 10 or more free dual credit classes;
· 84 students who took five or more free dual credit classes
· 110 graduates who took at least one free dual credit class.
Roark continued highlighting the accomplishments of students, shifting to the Career and Technical Education program, which is so important to our community.
· 40 students completed a Skills Standard Certificate through our CTE department
· Culinary and food service – 1
· Marketing – 23
· Mechanical Engineering – 12
· Plant Science Systems – 3
· Web development – 1
Roark said he wanted everyone to understand the significance of the accomplishments of the Class of 2025, noting that 15 students scored a composite of 28 or above on the ACT.
In addition, he noted that 30 graduates met all ACT benchmarks, a significant accomplishment for any student planning to attend college.
Graduates Plez Dean and Claire Sawyers were honored for completion of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program, as was Emily Witt who was chosen for and attended the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts.
He recognized the accomplishments of Jason “J.J” Eldridge and Hunter Philpot for passing the Advanced Placement Computer Science Exam as juniors, or in their previous year at HCHS.
Nationally, only 0.1 percent of high school seniors receive full-ride scholarships, while approximately 15 percent of the HCHS graduating class accomplished this fete. Full-tuition scholarships, which cover tuition but not other costs, are slightly more common, awarded to approximately 1.5 percent of students.
Roark ended his remarks by exclaiming “Go Bears!” 