GRC student recognized by Central KY Youth Salute
Published 9:34 am Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Abbigail Reese Baber
Alexandra Cole
Amaya McGuire
Benjamin S. Meyer
Benjamin Scott Carpenter
Brenden Hernandez
Caitlyn Brown
Carlee Franklin
Caroline Rose Cuccinelli
Channing Mae Taulbee
Briana Stout
Forty-five students from George Rogers Clark High School are among the 873 high school juniors from 53 high schools in Central Kentucky recognized in this year’s “Youth Salute.”
The 39th annual awards ceremony was held in their honor Sunday, May 5, at Georgetown College.
A top Youth Leader was named for each high school in attendance, as well as “Youth Leaders of the Year.” From Clark County, Caroline Cuccinelli, was named as the top youth leader.
The Central Kentucky Council on Youth Leadership was formed in 1980 to conduct the Youth Salute in nearby counties in cooperation with the National Council on Youth Leadership, a non-profit organization.
Students were nominated by teachers, guidance counselors and principals for this year’s Youth Salute.
To qualify, the student had to be a junior (senior class of 2020), have a 3.0 GPA or better and have held at least two leadership roles to which they were chosen by their peers or an adult leader within the past two years in school, religious or community sponsored organizations.
The Sun will feature several students each week.
Abbigail Baber
Abbigail is vice president of service for Beta Club. She was named the 2017 Miss Teen Clark County. She competed with the America’s Clogging All Stars team representing the U.S. in London. She is a member of the Health Occupations Students of America, National Honor Society and Educational Talent Search. She was one of the Top 10 students in her freshman and sophomore class, maintaining a 4.0 GPA both years. She volunteers as a Salvation Army bell ringer. She competed with the 2018 and 2019 Traditional National Champions.
Abbigail plans to major in human physiology and hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career in surgery.
Alexandra Cole
Alexandra is the GRCHS drum major and a member of the GRC symphonic band. She was chosen as a piccolo soloist, was named the best freshman marcher in 2017 and earned the best marching band section award in 2018. She was selected for the University of Kentucky honors band and the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy. She is a member of the National Honor Society and studies instrumental, drama and dance in the GRCHS Fine Arts Cohort.
Alexandra plans to attend the University of Kentucky and major in speech or musical therapy.
Amaya McGuire
Amaya is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Health Occupations Students of America and Cardinal Nets. She was named to the National Society of High School Scholars. She volunteers feeding and clothing the homeless and at Fountain Circle Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Amaya plans to major in nursing at Eastern Kentucky University.
Ben Carpenter
Ben is active in Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout rank and serving as a junior assistance scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 75. He attended National Youth Leadership training in Boy Scouts. He studies visual arts in the GRCHS Fine Arts Cohort. He is a contributing artist for Smoke Signals, the school newspaper. He serves not he Calvary Christian Church youth worship team and is a member of the church’s youth group. He is also a member of Beta Club and National Honor Society.
Ben plans to attend an art school and have a career in visual arts.
Benjamin Meyer
Benjamin is an assistant senior patrol leader, patrol quartermaster, patrol scribe and assistant patrol leader. He is a member of the academic team and earned honor roll.
Benjamin hopes to major in engineering, mathematics and architecture.
Brenden Hernandez
Brenden is a member of Y-Club. He is active in his church, and is a member of the GRCHS tennis team.
Brenden plans to pursue a career in business, medicine or accounting.
Briana Stout
Briana is a Force Dance Academy dancer. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America, National Beta Club, Y-Club and Christian Fellowship Club. She is a GRC Dance Blue volunteer. She served in the Kentucky One Summer Teen Volunteer Program. She is youth leader for the Central Baptist Church children’s ministries and a counselor for CBC at Crossings.
Briana plans to attend medical school and hopes to work in pediatrics.
Caitlyn Brown
Caitlyn is a Dance Blue volunteer. She is a member of the Health Occupations Students of America. She is an honor roll student. She helps with vacation Bible school and is an assistant Bible drill teacher. She helps with Creative Ministry Theme interpretations using American Sign Language to music. She is also a babysitter.
Caitlyn plans to major in developmental disability nursing while attending Morehead State University.
Carlee Franklin
Carlee is the 4-H Teen Leadership Club secretary, community service committee chair of 4-H District 4 Teen Council, a 4-H State Fashion Leadership Board member, community service committee chair of the 4-H Teen Leadership Club and a 2018 4-H State Fashion Revue finalist. She is a member of Beta Club, National Honor Society and is a community service committee member of Health Occupations Students of America. She also teaches second and third grade small group at Central Baptist Church.
Carlee plans to major in nursing and hopes to attend medical school to pursue anesthesiology.
Caroline Cuccinelli
Caroline was junior class president. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as secretary, Crafts for a Cause as founder and president, National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Cardinal Nets, the GRC swim team, the Smoke Signals newspaper staff and the worship team at her church. She is also a community musical performer.
Caroline plans to double major in broadcast journalism and mass communications with the hopes of becoming a news anchor.
Channing Taulbee
Channing is a member of the GRCHS varsity cheerleading team, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Smoke Signals newspaper staff and the Craft Club. She is a Bring It To The Table representative and a DARE role model. She was also named Miss Teen Clark County.
Channing plans to major in law.
