Juniors Participate in APES Program

   For three days last week, 31 Allen County-Scottsville High School juniors learned about the American Private Enterprise System (APES) from business, government, and industry leaders as part of the 47th annual program conducted through the efforts of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Allen County.

   The program included presentations from local community leaders on eight topics pertaining to business and economics. On Wednesday, November 7, the students heard from Allen County Farm Bureau insurance professional Todd White who addressed the topic “How America is Organized to Do Business.” Rickie Huntsman from Farmers National Bank spoke on “Our Economy; How it Works and What It Provides.” Allen County Circuit Court Clerk Todd Calvert shared on “The Role of Government in the Economy” and Jonathon Ross from Edward Jones spoke on “How to Do Business.” 

   Thursday’s topics included “The Job Interview” with J.M. Smucker Company Human Resource Director Dana Russell, “Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships” presented by The Citizen-Times owner Matt Pedigo, “Investor Owned Corporations and Limited Liability Companies” covered by Christi Turner from Summit Title Company, LLC, and “Cooperatives” presented by Tracy Roark with Tri-County EMC.  

   On the final day of the program, Jason Morgan the Senior Director of International Tax, Asurion spoke on E-Commerce presented the eighth and final topic. Following each presentation, the students were given tests (called Pay Days) to review their knowledge over the material covered. Friday’s activities included Allen Ralph presented board cases. The exercises asked the students to analyze and offer solutions to business and industry related employee scenarios. 

   In addition, the students toured the Halton Company, CPC Commodities, Clifty Farms, and the Farmers National Bank.

  At the end of the three-days, several students received cash scholarships based on their efforts throughout the program. The overall $400 scholarship winner was Brayden Richer. Winners of $200 cash scholarships were Olivia Brown, Ella Burch, William Davis, Madison Gregory, Katelyn Jackson, Nathan McGuffey, Elizabeth Miller, Abi Penick, and Averie Pitchford. Pay Day winners ($5 per topic) were Ella Burch, Allison Byrn, Elizabeth Miller, Brayden Richer ($15 jackpot winner as well), Savannah Shivers, Owen Stamper ($10) and C.J. Towe.

   Richer, Penick, and Brown also earned the honor of representing Allen County at the Kentucky Youth Seminar June 25-27, 2019 at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Alternates are Ella Burch, Nathan McGuffey, and William Davis. AC-SH seniors Mason Towery and Makayla Veron served as junior leaders with Towery receiving a $100 cash scholarship and the opportunity to serve at the state APES program next year in Lexington. If Towery cannot attend, Vernon will be the alternate.

   Additional juniors selected to participate in the APES program were Dorian Blankenship, Bryson Bonds, Dustin Bullington, Jaden Carter, Jaelyn Carter, Giovanni Del Valle, Samuel Del Valle, Meg Foster, Robin Gagen, Renee Hewitt, Kaylee Langman, Sally McPherson, Sonya Smith, Damion Stone, Breanna Varner, Dylan Vibbert, and Amber Wimpee.