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SubscribeOn Thursday, Gov. Matt Bevin presented five Kentuckians with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2017 Leadership Award in Frankfort. The event, hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission, recognizes individuals who embody Dr. King’s life and work, and who have made an exemplary contribution toward his legacy of service.
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. peacefully and passionately pursued his dream of a world where men and women would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,” said Gov. Bevin. “Those we honor with this award continue Dr. King’s admirable work by ensuring that every citizen of our great nation has the option of pursuing the American dream.”
Nominations for the award were solicited across the Commonwealth from the general public. The MLK Jr. State Commission received a total of twenty nominations. The following individuals were awarded the 2017 MLK Leadership award:
Youth Leadership Award Winners
Maegan Helm, Louisville, KY
- She is the founder of Ballard High School’s Black Student Union and has totaled over 75 hours of community service.
- This winner tutors students and works with the Metro Louisville Brightside Hallmark Neighborhood Cleanup.
- She has a 4.0 GPA and has won numerous awards for her academic achievements all while working part-time.
Ahmaad Edmund, Fairdale, KY
- This Male High School student has been elected president of his class for six straight years.
- He has been a member of the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students.
- He is on the Mayor of Louisville’s One Love Louisville Youth Implementation team and the Police Chief’s Youth Advisory Council.
- He founded two black student unions focused on promoting educational and enrichment activities for African American students.
Madison Roy, Louisville, KY
- Since age seven, she has been actively engaged in giving back to her community. After learning one of her classmates had leukemia, she raised money for research of the disease.
- She has organized presentations to help young children learn about Dr. King and gain an understanding of his tremendous sacrifices.
- She is the founder of Youth in Action Network of Louisville, an organization that provides students with “giving back” and “self-help” opportunities that can be used when they apply for scholarships and college admission applications.
Adult Leadership Award Winners
Mitchell Payne, Louisville, KY
- Helping others, especially those that are marginalized, has been a tenet by way of his past involvement with the Louisville Black Achievers program, a program he founded in Shelby County.
- He has also helped others by serving in the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Lincoln Foundation, Leadership Louisville, Leadership Kentucky, Urban League and N.A.A.C.P voter registration drive.
- As the Director of U of L Office of Black Affairs, he led a staff that designed one of the country’s premier models for recruitment, retention, graduation and job placement for black students at the undergraduate and graduate level.
- Also, after inheriting a 50 member university police department with only one African American male and one white female officer, he increased diversity by 40 percent within five years, without using goals or quotas, by working hard and developing strong community partnerships.
Edward L. Palmer Sr., Radcliff, KY
- In 18 years of ministry, he has brought to his community social programs such as a visitation center, community food pantry, foster care transitional living program for young adults, male/female transitional housing and mentoring for children.
- He was appointed to the State Interagency Council and National Coalition for Juvenile Justice Executive Board.
- He has worked with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to build community-based opportunities for families in need.
- He is serving his fourth term as Radcliff City Councilman.
- He also makes time to provide leadership and religious training locally as well as abroad.
The official award ceremony took place Thurs., Jan. 12, 2017, at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, 100 West Broadway St., Frankfort, Ky. Brigadier General Barbara Lynne Owens, Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, was the keynote speaker.
Additional information can be found at 
www.ome.ky.gov, or by contacting the Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment at 502.564.2611 or kyome@ky.gov.
Ballard High School has inducted its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class, recognizing alumni who achieved outstanding accomplishments in their athletic careers or service to the athletic department at Ballard.
The Ballard Bruins Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes graduates and school supporters who are at least 10 years out of high school. In addition to acknowledging athletic success, the award also recognizes recipients’ post-Ballard graduation accomplishments and service.
Inductees include (by graduation year unless otherwise indicated):
- Marty Bailen, was involved in Ballard athletics for more than 40 years in all capacities, including announcer and statistician. The football press box is named after him.
- Pat Crawford, served as Ballard’s first principal, from 1968 to 1985. The football stadium is named after him.
- Allan Houston, 1989, played on Ballard’s 1988 Kentucky state championship team, and went on to play at the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1993 as the school’s all-time leading scorer. He also played for the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
- Jeremi Johnson, 1999, rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored 35 touchdowns his junior and senior seasons. He played football at Indiana University and Western Kentucky University, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2003 National Football League draft.
- Jeff Lamp, 1977, was on Ballard’s 1977 state championship basketball team, voted Kentucky Mr. Basketball in 1977, and starred at the University of Virginia. He was selected by the Portland Trailblazers with the number 15 pick in the 1981 draft. He also played for the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers.
- Gary Plock, 1974, was a four-time Kentucky state champion and two-time All American in tennis. He was also an NCAA doubles finalist at the University of Texas, and was elected to the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985.
- Jim Reuther, served as Ballard’s first athletic director. The basketball gymnasium is named after him.
- Sally Sligar, 1975, earned multiple state championships in track and cross country in what were then state record times, and went on to run cross country and track at the University of Tennessee.
- Jeremy Sowers, 2001, threw four no-hitters in high school and led the team to consecutive appearances in the state championship game. Was named the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, starred at Vanderbilt Univeristy, and was selected the sixth overall pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.
- Susan Stoddard, 1982, ran track, played volleyball and softball, and excelled in basketball, which she played at the University of Florida.
- Kent Taylor, 1973, held school and regional records in the 2-mile, participated in the 1973 Mason Dixon Games, and went on to run track and cross country at University of North Carolina.
Inductees will be recognized at the Ballard Athletic Hall of Fame banquet which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Marriott East Hotel, 1903 Embassy Square Blvd. For ticket information, visit Eventbrite.
Families in need of winter clothing for their children will be able to receive coats, hats and gloves beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at the Northwest Neighborhood Place, 4018 West Market St. The items were collected through the Coats with Candyce drive.
The winter wear will be distributed until noon or until all items are given out, whichever comes first. Families will receive coats, hats, gloves, and books for each child. Children must be present with their parent or guardian.
“I’m so proud of our community for supporting this program and donating items to help our children and youth feel warm and cared for this winter,” said Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “This is a perfect opportunity to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and make a real difference in our students’ lives.”
The Coats with Candyce drive was sponsored by JCPS, 15th District Parent Teacher Association Clothing Assistance Program, AmeriCorps VISTA, REACH Corps and Neighborhood Place.
Metro Solid Waste Management Enforcement employees have acted and the first vehicle of 2017 caught in photographs illegal dumping has been impounded in the Portland Neighborhood.
Crews were able to locate this Ford Ranger pickup truck that was photographed on December 10th by one of the department’s surveillance cameras in the 3000 block of Bank Street.
“I applaud the employees of Solid Waste Management for their dedicated efforts to enforce the ordinance we passed on the Metro Council to impound any vehicle found illegally dumping on our streets and alleys,” says Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5), who represents the Portland area.
Solid Waste Enforcement tracked the vehicle down January 6 and had it impounded. The owner was fined $500 plus a $250 cleanup fee and an impound fee of about $250.
“The Metro Council continues to send a strong message that Solid Waste Management continues to enforce. To anyone who decides to illegally dump in Metro Louisville, you will be caught and it will be costly,” said Hamilton.
Some cameras were purchased with D5 Neighborhood Development Funds and are dedicated to sites in District 5. The cameras are moved periodically within the district so potential illegal dumpers should be aware that they too may be caught
For the first time in more than 25 years, Metro Parks and Recreation will be operating youth baseball and softball leagues at Wyandotte Park in south Louisville for children ages 6-18. Sign-ups are available online now at this link. Tee ball ($20 entry fee) will be available for children ages 6 and under.
Softball and baseball league ($40 entry fee) divisions are as follows: ages 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18. In addition to the cost of joining the league, entry fees cover the cost of the uniform and rental of a glove if necessary.
“We’ve had a successful partnership with Major League Baseball through the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program, and offering leagues through our department is the next step in growing the sport in the city of Louisville,” said Metro Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose.
Player sign-ups will take place through March 4 online and at three Metro Parks and Recreation Community Centers; Cyril Allegier, Southwick and South Louisville. Practices will begin the week of March 20, and games will begin on Saturday, April 10 at Wyandotte Park. In addition, Metro Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteer coaches for league teams.
Those interested in participating should call Steve Edwards at (502) 744-0498.
“We’re hoping to find enthusiastic role models who will mentor the players, teach them fundamentals and how to be team players,” Ghose said. “We’re hoping an abundance of kids sign up, but the league will only be successful if we have a good number of coaches willing to take on the challenge.” For more information, see the attached flier or click on this link (includes a testimonial from a past volunteer coach). https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/louisville-metro-parks-and-rec…
Earlier this week, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens announced that students from duPont Manual High School took honors in the recent U.S. Chess Federation 2016 National K-12 Grade Championships. Several students earned individual honors and two teams from Manual placed third in the overall competition.
“I am extremely proud of what our students accomplished and the manner in which they represented our JCPS family in their recent national competition,” Dr. Hargens said. “What our students accomplished is impressive, and I congratulate them on their victories.”
Team Awards:
- Third place – 12th grade championship (Matthew McDonald, Keenan Bilyeu, Tommy Phan and Binu Godage)
- Third place – 10th grade championship (Michael Harris, Will Workman, Ruchira Sumansekara, Vidu Godage and Jackson Murray)
Individual Awards – 12th grade championship:
- Matthew McDonald – 10th place overall
- Keenan Bilyeu – Second place<1400 Rating
- Binu Godage – Second place<1200 Rating
- Tommy Phan – Second place<1000 Rating
Individual Awards – 10th grade championship
- Will Workman – First place<1400 Rating
The duPont Manual chess team has also won the state championship for three consecutive years and earned six titles since 2005.
Fairdale High School continues to hit benchmarks needed to shed its priority label, according to a state audit report made available last week.
The Kentucky Department of Education Two-Day Progress Monitoring Review looked at multiple reports and data, in-school observations and interviews to give the priority school feedback on improving student performance over the preceding two years. The report also outlined strategies to raise student achievement and improve conditions that support student learning.
Overall, the review team gave the school high marks for its curriculum, instructional design and assessment practices, rating it a 3 on a scale of 4 in 11 of 12 separate categories.
“I am not surprised by these positive external reviews,” said Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “The work happening at Fairdale is an example of what priority schools can do with the right leadership and right support. This is a school keeping students at the center of all decision-making, with all staff contributing on the continuous improvement journey.”
“I’m tremendously proud of our entire Fairdale High School family and the improvements that continue to be made,” said Brad Weston, JCPS assistant superintendent for Area 2 who served as principal of the school until last November. “This reflects not just how well the school is doing academically, but really how well we’re doing in recruiting, hiring and retaining dedicated teachers and staff.”
Brandy Corbin, Fairdale’s principal, said expectations for her students and staff are high – and the report shows both are hitting the right marks. “I see the dedication and work that happens every single day at Fairdale, and to see it reflected in an independent review is rewarding,” she said.
The report cited just one area as an improvement priority – teachers engaging students in learning. Dr. Marco Munoz, director of Priority Schools, said that’s an area that continues to challenge schools across the country. But he noted that Vision 2020, the district’s strategic plan, places an emphasis on deeper learning. “With that focus and direction, we have a clear road map on how we can engage kids and have ownership of the learning,” he said.
The report also indicated the school had satisfactorily addressed an improvement priority identified in the 2014-15 Internal School Review for Fairdale, related to developing and documenting common grading and reporting policies.
Schools in priority status are reviewed every two years by KDE. Fairdale received the shorter, two-day review which focused on the AdvancED Standard 3, Teaching and Assessing for Learning, because of its positive gains in recent years. A copy of the report is attached.
