Congratulations to Harlan County High School Senior Jimmy Shepherd and Agriculture Instructor Elijah Brock on being selected by the Superintendent’s Student Council for the organization’s Black Bear Awards.
Founded in 2018, the awards are designed to recognize students, teachers and staff who go above and beyond to assist students through encouragement, service and other ways.
The awards, presented during a recent council meeting, are for March. Council member Skylar Rutherford explained the qualifications for the awards, noting the students look for those who truly have impact making their peers lives better.
Fellow seniors Lacey Short and Savannah Hill presented the award on behalf of the student council.
They talked about Shepherd’s positive attitude and uplifting spirit and his reputation for always checking on his fellow students.
Shepherd Black Bear Kindness Award is an all-around student, participating in Technology Students of America (TSA), Project Lead the Way (Engineering), Beta Club, National Honor Society, Gifted and Talented, First Priority Leadership, Talent Search, varsity academic team and serves as the baseball team’s manager.
He is the son of Jimmy Shepherd and Catherine Shepherd.
Brock was presented the Black Bear Inspirational Teacher Award. It was presented on behalf of the council by Sabby Mosley.
Mosley said Brock has been a leader, utilizing his skills to spruce up around campus and jumping into help his colleagues.
“For a first-year teacher, Mr. Brock has gone above and beyond taking his job very serious,” he said. “He brings an uplifting spirit to his classroom, the agriculture program and the total school environment.”
“It is an honor to have been chosen for the Inspirational Leader Award by the wonderful students at HC,” he said. “The students at HC have been very kind and welcoming since the first day that I started working here, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to come to work each and every day.”
“One of my favorite quotes is ‘We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone’ and I believe that's my approach to teaching. My class may not be for everyone, but if I show up with a smile, teach my subject, and listen to the kids’ feedback, then I am doing my part in ‘helping someone.’"
In addition to teaching agriculture education, Brock serves as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisory. He is a graduate of Lynn Camp High School. He earned his agriculture teaching certification in 2025, having attended Eastern Kentucky University. He is a former Kentucky FFA state officer, past president of the agriculture honor society Delta Tau Alpha, and a recipient of the Outstanding Agriculture Leadership award from the Department of Agriculture at EKU.
His wife Katie is a first-grade teacher at Cawood Elementary School.