Darren Doyle, story: photo submitted
The entire 8th grade class has an opportunity to visit the NASA US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, thanks to the help of a new non-profit that was started by an ECHS graduate and his wife.

Adam Schultz, a 2001 ECHS graduate, started the Edmonson County Enrichment Initiative a couple years ago with his wife, Jennifer. He said he wanted to help provide Edmonson County students opportunities that would allow entire classes to participate in field trips that they might not be able to otherwise.

With the help of other local businesses that are on board with the Schultzs' ideas, students are now closer to that goal; however, they still need help from the local community.

So far, the group has raised funds for eight 7th and 8th grade students to attend the Virtual United Nations conference in March of 2021, they have purchased chapter book sets for Kyrock Elementary school that replaced old ones for the 3rd and 4th grade, helped provide a Sphero Bolt Robotic Project at ECHS, as well as the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness curriculum for K-4th graders at both elementary schools. This provides help to those that are behind in learning to read.

Schultz said their goal is to assist wherever they can with school and student needs where a helping hand might be needed.

Schultz graduated from WKU in 2005 and then moved to Louisville and worked as an engineer for GE Appliances for 10 years. During that time he also earned his MBA from the University of Louisville. He currently works as an engineering manager for Midea America Research Center in Louisville.

While he and his wife are working together to give back to Edmonson County, along with their board members that are made up of local school staff and residents, fundraising is necessary to make these projects happen.

They have plans for fundraising events in the future, like raffles and golf tournaments, but some local businesses have recently stepped up to help the ECEI. Alford's Pharmacy and Bank of Edmonson County made matching donations to the Space and Rocket Center field trip and Kayaks and More is currently selling a kayak package where 100% of the proceeds will go to the ECEI.

Schultz added that ECEI is a legal nonprofit with a tax ID, so all donations are tax deductible.

"I just wanted to add that, as usual, the businesses and people we've spoken to individually on this have really been super helpful and generous, so we definitely appreciate all of those who have given so far, and we look forward to continuing to grow and expand our scope to be able to help out even more," he said.

For more information or to find out how you can donate:

• call Adam: 502-554-8002
• call Kendra Cline (local teacher and board member) 270-246-3587
• visit their Facebook Page here
• email: edmonsoncountyenrichment@gmail.com

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Darren Doyle, story, photos courtesy of Mrs. Jessica Doyle
The Bulldog Choir, made up of 50 third and fourth graders from South Edmonson Elementary School, performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” for Tuesday night’s Hot Rod’s game.

It was spirit night at the ball park for South Edmonson, as the Bowling Green Hot Rod’s hosted the Rome Braves. The night began with Ella Ruth Lowe, preschooler daughter of Travis and Shannon Lowe, throwing out the game’s first pitch. Ella Ruth was the top seller of tickets for the school fundraiser.

The Bulldog Choir members that braved the cold until the seventh inning joined together once again to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Choir director, Mrs. Jessica Doyle, said, “I am so proud of my Bulldog Choir. They received numerous compliments tonight for all their hard work. This was a night they will never forget.” Mrs. Jessica wanted to note her appreciation for the school’s PTO officers as well. “Thank you to our amazing PTO president, Amanda Denham, and Vice president Christine Barrett, for organizing this event for our students. We appreciate all their volunteer work to help our school.”

The Hot Rods pulled out a 5-4 win over the Braves.

The Bulldog Choir will be putting on a spring concert featuring the songs from the movie "SING" for the community on Monday night, April 25th, at 6 PM in the South Edmonson gym. All friends and families are invited to attend.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Mcreynolds Physical Therapy sponsored a March Movement Challenge in coordination with the PE teachers at both Kyrock and South Edmonson. Students who completed 31 hours of physical activity in March were entered in to win a bicycle and helmet donated by Mcreynolds PT.

Edmonson Voice Report:
The April meeting of the Edmonson County Board of Education was held on Monday, April 11, 2022, at Edmonson County Middle School. Mr. Prunty recognized students and staff members who have gone above and beyond to excel at ECMS.

Students Evelyn Ulm, Lilly Carrol, and Brayden Johnson were recognized for scoring Distinguished in all areas of the 7th Grade KPREP Assessment.

Mr. Prunty also recognized staff members Mr. Joey Webb, Mr. Joe Priddy, Mrs. Teresa McClintic, Mrs. Melissa Wilson, Mrs. Amy Carnes, and Mrs. Heather Rickman.

Edmonson Voice Report:
The Edmonson County High School Greenhouse will open for business on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022.  It will be open on regular school days, Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 1:45pm.  The last day the greenhouse will be open is Monday, May 16th, 2022. ECHS said that a variety of vegetables and flowers are available.

"These plants have been planted and cared for by our county’s Agriculture Education students; please come show your support for them," said Matthew Lindsey, ECHS Ag Teacher. 

The greenhouse is in Brownsville on Houchin Ferry Rd behind the school.
 
ECHS Greenhouse Business Hours
Monday to Friday
8:00 am to 1:45 pm
4-19-22 to 5-16-22

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Madison Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County Parks and Rec hosted their annual Easter egg hunt today, Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Highway 70 ballpark in Brownsville.

Program director of Edmonson County Parks and Rec, John Kiernan, said they put out a total of 12,000 Easter eggs and about 700 kids came to participate. He specifically acknowledged several members of the community who helped organize today's event.

"I want to give a huge thank you to Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church, the SADD, Beta, and KCC clubs from the high school, and also thank you to Scott Lindsey for being the DJ today.", Kiernan said. "We love putting on this event and seeing all the kids who come out and have fun, that's what it's all about, and we couldn't do it without support from the community."

Please enjoy this slideshow of some of the many children who came to participate.

Edmonson Voice Report:
On Thursday, April 14th, 2022,  Hunter Avery was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a gift card to Dairy Queen by substitute bus driver Ricky Simon.  Hunter earned this award through demonstrating high character and a willingness to help Mr. Simon learn the entire bus route. 

Principal Chad Johnston stated "The Edmonson County 5/6 Center is proud to have Hunter as a student and he is a shining example of what makes our students so special.  Way to go Hunter."

Edmonson Voice Report:
​Edmonson County High School has announced that junior Lily Jayne Vincent, daughter of Tom and Laura Vincent, has been selected to the Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program.

In addition, Claire Burklow, daughter of Leroy and Michelle Burklow, was selected as an alternate for the program.

“These students completed a very thorough application based on academic, volunteer, and extracurricular experience, completion of a writing essay, and teacher/community member recommendations,” ECHS said in a statement. “Both girls were selected as two of the six representatives to be sent to the GSP selection committee by the Edmonson County School District. The state level was a very competitive field of 1,754 outstanding young Kentuckian applicants from which Vincent and Burklow were selected.

Vincent will attend a five-week program this summer at one of a handful of colleges in the state of Kentucky that host the GSP program. Burklow will have an opportunity to attend depending on the number of selected GSP students who may or may not follow through with attending the program.

Brody Johnson, son of Brad and Jodi Johnson, was also selected as a Governor’s Scholar by the state of Kentucky. Johnson attends the Gatton Academy at WKU and was selected from among the members of Gatton to go before the state selection committee.

The Governor’s Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky who are rising seniors. The Program originated in 1983 as a result of Kentucky leaders’ concern that the state’s “best and brightest” were leaving the Commonwealth to pursue educational and career opportunities elsewhere without fully understanding the potential of their talents at home. Students who are selected attend the Program without charge. In the spirit of partnership, the Office of the Governor, the Kentucky State Legislature, and private enterprise come together to provide the financial support for the Program.

Student Application and Selection Packets are sent to every public, private and parochial school district in the state. Applications may be picked up in the school guidance office in late September or downloaded from our website. Before reaching the statewide competition, each student must first submit his or her application through his or her school and participate in the school and/or district level competitions. Only those students selected and submitted by their district (or unaffiliated private school) may compete in the statewide selection process. The number of nominees each district may submit to the statewide process is based on the district-wide junior class enrollment. Over 2,000 applications are received at the state level each year, with approximately 1,000 students selected to attend.

The following churches have announced their Easter services for Sunday, April 17, 2022.

• Otter Gap Missionary Baptist Church will have sunrise service at 6AM with an egg hunt at 10AM, Bro. Joe Logan, pastor.
• South Union General Baptist Church will have worship service at 10:30AM with a dinner and egg hunt afterwards, Bro. Jonathan Hodges, pastor.
• Pleasant Union United Baptist Church (Steep Hollow) will have sunrise service at 6AM and Sunday School with an egg hunt for kids at 10AM, Bro J.C. Ramsey, pastor.
• Sweeden Missionary Baptist Church will have Sunday School at 12:30PM with worship service at 2PM, Bro. Shane Wilson, pastor.
• Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church will have worship service at 10:30AM, Bro. John Chidester, Pastor.
• Jock United Baptist Church will have Sunday School at 10AM with worship service at 11AM, Bro. Jerry Patton, pastor.
• Fairview United Baptist Church will have an egg hunt at 10AM (weather permitting) with worship service at 11AM, Bro. Malcolm Doyle, pastor.
• Chalybeate United Baptist Church will have sunrise service at 6AM with Sunday School at 10AM with an egg hunt following, Bro. Richard Minton, pastor.
• Brownsville General Baptist will have sunrise service at 6AM, Bro. Jerry Spainhoward, pastor.
• Bee Spring Missionary Baptist Church will have an egg hunt at 10AM with worship service at 11AM. Bro. Donald Webb preaching, Bro. Malcolm Doyle, pastor.

Please email our office to have your local service added to this list at no cost: editor@edmonsonvoice.com.

The Edmonson County Judge Executive's Office has announced that the annual countywide cleanup event is returning to Edmonson County.

The event is for county residents only. All the details are in the digital flyer below.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department is seeking firefighters, board members, and will be electing a new chief at their next meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2022 at 7PM.

Joe Carl Daugherty, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the fire department, called the Edmonson Voice today and discussed the department's need for assistance.

"People just aren't taking interest in the fire departments like they used to," he said. "We have two board positions that are open and we'll vote on that Monday night. We will also vote on a new fire chief."

Daugherty said the department has recently moved into a new firehouse, debt free.

"We're in the new firehouse and we've got the equipment, we just don't have the manpower we need," he said. "All Rocky Hill district members can vote in our board election, and everyone is welcome to come to our Monday night meeting. It's very important that we do all we can to get more people involved. It could be life and death to somebody."

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Rocky Hill Fire Department. For more information, call 270-246-0400.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Edmonson County Conservation District, in partnership with the Kentucky Division of Forestry, will be having a tree seedling giveaway Saturday, April 16th, 2022 from 8 AM - 12 PM (or while supplies last) First come, first served.

The event will be located at 100 Washington Street in Brownsville, at the old service station across from the district office.

There will be a limited number of Dogwood, Red-bud and Pecan seedlings. Limit of two of each species per household. Everyone is encouraged to share their tree planting experiences on the Edmonson County Conservation District Facebook page.  For more information call the Edmonson County Conservation District Office at 270-597-2761.