An accountant, banker, human resource manager, councilman, investment
broker, small business owner, investment specialist, marketing manager, and an
e-commerce manager are sharing their expertise and experience with 30 Allen
County-Scottsville High School juniors this week. The students are taking part
in the annual American Private Enterprise System (APES) program---the 46th year
for the program in Allen County.
The students---selected by Allen County-Scottsville guidance counselors
based on their academic achievements---listen to local and regional business
professionals share presentations across a wide spectrum of topics related to
business. This year’s presenters include Jason McKinney from McKinney-Woosley LLP,
Rickie Huntsman from Farmers National Bank, Dana Russell from The J.M. Smucker
Company, Scottsville councilman Dr. Franklin Foster from the government sector,
Jonathan Ross from Edward Jones, Bob Pitchford from The
Citizen-Times, Christi Turner from Summit Title Company, Amy Phelps
from North Central Telephone Cooperative, and Jason Morgan of International
Tax, Asurion.
As part of the three-day program, the students also tour local business
and service providers. This year’s tour stops include the Center for Courageous
Kids, CPC Commodities, the Barefoot Republic Camp, Clifty Farms, and the
Scottsville courthouse.
Not only do the students gain a wealth of knowledge from the presenters
and tours, the juniors take quiz’s over the presented material in order to earn
“payday” cash rewards. Overall awards---made possible through cash donations
from area businesses---are presented at the conclusion of the three days.
This year’s APES participants from AC-SH include Sydney Ausbrooks,
Kaylee Baldwin, Colton Barton, Lauren Bearden, Katelyn Bewley, Rachel Bomar,
Charles Boucher, Hannah Bryant, Camden Carver, Hadley Celsor, Kaci Cline,
Morgan Duvall, Rachel Foster, William Gregory, Aaron Howell, Caroline Jones,
Colby LaFitte, Jackson Montgomery, Macy Pruitt, Jessie Radcliff, Cayden Ross,
Jason Sikes, Tristan Skipworth, Megan Stinson, Nathaniel Stinson, Mason Towery,
Macayla Vernon, Tiffany Wade, Macy Ward, and Madison Whittle. AC-SH seniors
Aaron Borth, Lauren Riffe, and Kaleigh Shaw participated in the program last
year and are serving as junior leaders this year.
The APES program is sponsored by the University of Kentucky Cooperative
Extension Service.