Edmonson Voice Report:
South Edmonson Elementary was recently a recipient of the 2025 Kentucky Waste Tire Crumb Rubber/Tire-Derived Products Grant through the Energy and Environment Cabinet.

The grant provides 75% of the project cost of playground upgrades that utilize Kentucky waste tires. This allowed SEE to install a poured-in place rubber pathway through the playground, joining the playground entrance to the basketball court which increased mobility for students and staff.

"The total cost of the project was $10,000 but with the grant, the school only had to pay $2,000. We are very excited about this playground upgrade," said SEE Principal Josh Long.

He also said the school wanted to thank the following organizations:

• Lisa Evans and the Energy and Environment Cabinet
• Josh Wagner and Miracle Playgrounds of Ky and Tn
• South Edmonson Elementary PTO

Check out this huge upcoming property auction by Mills Real Estate and Auction Company, along with White Real Estate and Auction:

Mammoth Cave, Ky. — Mammoth Cave National Park invites the public to attend Echoes of the Past, a special event designed to explore modern connections to the generations of people who once called the Mammoth Cave region home. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT in the Rotunda Room of the Lodge at Mammoth Cave.

Attendees will have the chance to connect directly with historians, archivists, and genealogists, and explore tools that can help them trace their own family histories. Whether you have ancestral ties to the park or are simply curious about the region’s past, Echoes of the Past offers a meaningful opportunity to uncover personal connections to the history of Mammoth Cave and the communities that surround it.

“Echoes of the Past is more than a history event. It’s a chance for people to connect with the stories and history that shaped this landscape,” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “We’re proud to offer a space where community members and visitors alike can explore the deep cultural and genealogical ties to this region.”

This event is open to the public and no registration is required. Seasoned and aspiring genealogy enthusiasts alike are welcome to attend. Informative sessions will include:

• Booth-style sessions at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. where visitors can interact one-on-one with representatives from local historical societies and organizations. These experts will share research insights, help attendees identify genealogy resources, and connect them with local archives and specialists.
• Guest speaker presentations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. offering practical guidance and inspiration for those interested in genealogy research and regional history.

Featured Guest Speakers:

• 11 a.m. — Sam Terry, IV : A native of Barren County, Kentucky, Sam Terry is a historian and author with deep roots in the region. He is the creator of Sam Terry’s Kentucky, a popular platform celebrating the state’s heritage, and has contributed to radio and podcast programs such as Think History and Uncommon History of the South. Terry has held leadership roles in several historical organizations and continues to lead educational tours and programs in his community.
• 1 p.m. — J. Mark Lowe : A professional genealogist and lecturer, Mark Lowe specializes in Southern U.S. records and has taught at major genealogy institutes across the country. He has contributed to television series like Who Do You Think You Are? and African American Lives 2 and is a past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists. His work is widely published, and he is recognized for his engaging and accessible approach to family history research.

In addition, National Park Service staff will offer demonstrations on how to access cemetery records and archival photographs from the park’s curatorial collection.

This event commemorates National Public Lands Day, a nationwide effort to honor and care for the lands we all share. In the spirit of this year’s theme Our Home Outdoors, visitors are invited to explore the many stories that have shaped Mammoth Cave National Park. Known around the world for its vast, interconnected cave system and natural wonders, the park is also a place of deep personal connection — where generations of families once lived, worked, and built community.

Edmonson Voice Report:
The 2025 Santa's Helping Hands Benefit Golf Scramble helped raised thousands for local families this past Saturday at Shady Hollow Golf Club in Cub Run.

According to Mark Wardlow, SHH, Inc. co-founder and board member, the event filled up quickly after being announced and had more community support than ever before.

"Our community amazes us every year with their continued help," Wardlow said. "Our sponsors and community friends simply overwhelmed us with their support. This was a great day with very comfortable temps and plenty of good food from Dad's BBQ and Mark's Hot Dogs. It was a very competitive tournament with the top six teams being separated by only three strokes. The final scoreboard showed two teams with a score of -21."

The first of the two winning teams were made up of Granville Meredith, Greg Meredith, Dawson McDaniels, and James Rhoades, and the other team winner consisted of Logan Raymer, Kacy Clemmons, Jordan Baer, Jason Webber.

Wardlow said a record number of prizes were awarded this year, thanks to additional support, including the Mega-Prize Hole 18 Closest-to-Pin Challenge, sponsored by the Edmonson Voice.

"Over $1,000 in prizes were given away on that hole alone, which were claimed by BJ Ballance with his tee shot landing 45" from the pin."

Wardlow added, "There are too many volunteers to name all of them, but they know who they were and we truly appreciate all their help. This event kicks off our auction season and over the next seven weeks, we will be working on donations and items for our 21st Annual SHH Benefit Auction that's set for Saturday, November 1st at the Edmonson County High School gym."

Santa's Helping Hands provides Christmas gifts and necessities for Edmonson County families in need each year during the holiday season. They also provide emergency relief in cases of fire and other tragedies for county residents. For qualifications and other questions, contact SHH Inc. at 270-991-2972.

Story by EchoTvstudios, photo by Chandra Brown:
On a bright Monday morning, the smell of crayons and fresh pencil shavings hangs in the air at Mapleton Elementary School. In a second-grade room, teacher Xavian Johnson stands in front of the class, his voice rising and falling with the rhythm of a storyteller. His students sit wide-eyed, as if transported out of their classroom and into the pages of the book in his hands. He doesn’t just read to the students. He’s acting it out. He wants his students to feel like they are in the story.

Johnson is known as “the teacher.” But in truth, his story is much larger; a journey that stretches from the wooden pews of an Edmonson County church, to the stages of Morehead State University, and now to the set of Gone, a faith-based series that has been quietly drawing attention across social media.

Raised in rural Edmonson County, Xavian was the only child of a Baptist pastor and his wife (Ronnie and Tonya Johnson). His childhood was one of both discipline and imagination. Sundays were spent in church, listening to his father’s sermons echo through the sanctum. Weeknights, however, often found him huddled up with a book. Reading let him travel beyond those hills.

Xavian wasn’t like most boys his age.  While other kids were out hunting or fishing, he’d be reading Shakespeare or rehearsing lines for a play. He had this hunger for stories. And theatre gave him the courage to step into someone else’s shoes. School plays became his outlet. 

“That stage was where I felt most myself,” Johnson remembers. “It was a calling; you step into a role to share something meaningful with people.”

Johnson’s passion carried him to Morehead State University, where he earned a minor in theatre. He also found a love for teaching and a way for him to pay that love forward. It was a decision that raised some eyebrows back home, but for him it was a natural path. “I wanted to be part of a community and teaching was that way. But theatre gave me a way to teach beyond books. It taught me how to engage people.”

It was at Morehead that he met Chandra, a teacher from Menifee County. The two bonded over their shared faith and long campus walks. They came from different worlds, but both believed in community and service. That’s what drew them together. The couple married after graduation and made the choice to stay in Menifee County, a community they felt needed both their gifts.

Johnson’s quickly becoming known to his students as the teacher who makes lessons come alive. His background in theatre seeps into his teaching style; voices, gestures, and the occasional dramatic pause. Kids who don’t like reading suddenly lean in when Xavian starts.

In 2023, Johnson was cast in Gone, a faith-based film series shot in Menifee and Montgomery counties. The film series tells the story of people wrestling with hardship, grief, and faith after the Biblical Rapture happens.

“My dad preached from a pulpit. Now I get to tell stories that might encourage someone in their living room.” said Johnson.

Johnson plays a young man navigating the challenges of life while balancing personal trials. The role resonates deeply with his own upbringing. He grew up watching his dad preach about tough times to come if you don’t have Jesus. This role helps him honor his dad while also telling a story that others can relate to.

The film series has become a quiet success, being nominated for multiple Faith-based awards, and this October it will hit the big screen in Montgomery County, Kentucky. 

Balancing classroom duties, film shoots, and life isn’t always easy. But for Johnson, it’s all connected.

“Every child in my classroom has a story worth telling,” says Xavian.

“I hope my family sees me as a bridge between past and present.”

He’s carrying on his father’s ministry, just in a different way. His pulpit is the classroom, the stage, and the screen.

Chandra said, “Xavian doesn’t separate his roles: teacher, actor, husband, and Christian. They’re all part of who he is.”

With the third season of Gone set to release, Johnson is busier than ever. Still, he insists his greatest calling remains the classroom. “Those kids are my first audience,” he says with a smile.

As the school day winds down at Mapleton Elementary, Johnson gathers his students in a circle and asks them what story they want to tell today. Johnson nods, listening intently to his students. “Every story matters,” he tells them. “And one day, you’ll find your stage, too.”

From the quiet hills of Edmonson County to the lights of Morehead’s theatre department, and now into the classroom and on film sets, Xavian Johnson’s story is proof that faith and imagination can walk hand in hand.

More on the series can be found on https://www.echotvstudios.com/ or the EchoTV app.

Photo by Ella Madison:
Edmonson County High School has announced the candidates for the 2025 ECHS Football Homecoming. 

Pictured above are front row seniors left to right: 
Peyton Weedman, Emma Lindsey, Lola Bolton, Lola Ramsey

Second row juniors left to right: 
Avery Alexander, Kylee Williams, Brooklynn Vincent, Audra Vertrees

Third row sophomores left to right: : 
Maddie Groce, Quinnlan Alford, Bree Johnson, Shaylee Hampton

Top row freshmen left to right: 
Emmy Graham, Lilly Lindsey, Emma Hight, Kendra Sabic 

Homecoming ceremonies will take place before the start of Friday's game, around 6:40PM against Hart County.

Darren Doyle, story:
Brayden Sanders Johnson, a senior at Edmonson County High School, has earned the distinguished title of National Merit Semi-Finalist, as announced this week by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The NMSC announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

ECHS Principal Jonathan Williams said he was proud of Brayden’s hard work and dedication in earning this prestigious honor.

“Being named a National Merit Finalist is a rare achievement, and it’s a direct reflection of his tireless effort and commitment to excellence in everything he does,” he said.

Juniors throughout the United States take the PSAT exam each year, where Brayden scored in the top 0.5% in Kentucky. He is the President of ECHS's DECA and Math Clubs, the captain of ECHS Tennis, and the 2024 & 2025 Singles Champion of the 3rd Region.

Brayden will graduate high school in May and plans to become a physician. He is the son of Brad and Jodi Johnson of Bee Spring.