The Buzz

LOCAL KIDS PARTICIPATE IN 1ST ANNUAL “DUNKS WITH DAD” FEATURING DONTAIE ALLEN

The 1st Annual “Dunks with Dad” was held on Saturday, June 25 and was a great success! It was a collaboration between Audubon Kids Zone, the Henderson Police Department, JFK Center and funded by the Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Family.

There were 84 participants from 5 different counties, 19 volunteers and one leader/celebrity, Kentucky’s 2019 Mr. Basketball, Dontaie Allen. Fill-ins were provided for kids that wanted to attend but didn’t have anyone available to attend with them. The “dads” and their kids played together for knock out and dribble tag drills. There was a father/kid free throw and 3-point shot competition. The grand finale came when the kids and Dontaie played the dads - pretty sure the kids won. There were multiple passes to Dontaie by his kid teammates and the “Dunk it, Dunk it” cheer. Dontaie did a great job making sure every kid got an autograph and got to ask any questions they wanted. Every kid there left thinking they had a new best 6’6” friend named Dontaie.

THE HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY GETS VISIT FROM HICKERSON VEGGIES

The owner and operator of Hickerson Veggies, Mr. Edward Hickerson, stopped by the Henderson County Public Library’s Children’s Department on Thursday, June 9 to teach children how to plant and grow their very own vegetables. Mr. Eddie gave each participant a cup filled with soil, and the children were able to choose between planting a vegetable or a plant seed. He then talked to the children about proper plant care. There were nearly 60 participants in attendance.

TWO HENDERSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO THE GATTON ACADEMY OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE

Ben Frederick and Jude Roppel-Wolf, two Henderson County High School (HCHS) students, have been accepted to The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science on the campus of Western Kentucky University (WKU) for their junior and senior years of high school. Ben and Jude will both remain enrolled at Henderson County High School during this time.

Previously, only 14 Henderson County students have attended since it began in 2007. They accept approximately 95 Kentucky students per year, half male and half female. They are accepted based on test scores, grades, activities, applications, essays, recommendations, and interviews.

Ben and Jude will take WKU classes alongside college Freshman through Seniors. They will live on campus in a building dedicated only to Gatton students. They will receive dual high school diplomas from both HCHS and The Gatton Academy and have earned at least 60 college credit hours while at Gatton. Tuition, housing, and 21 meals per week are available to students free of charge.

Gatton alumni are accepted into some of the most prestigious universities in the state and across the country. The current Henderson Community College president is a Gatton Academy graduate himself. Applications open in October for sophomores with a submission deadline in January.

Congratulations, Ben and Jude on your accomplishment! For those interested in learning more, you may contact Lynette Breedlove, Director of the Gatton Academy, at 270-745-305 or visit their social media pages.