This year, Lady Patriot Kennedy Carter received one of the three scholarships offered. Congratulations Kennedy!
Allen County-Scottsville senior JoyDale Williams is in Lexington this week preparing for this weekend’s Kentucky Distinguished Young Women Program. Selected as Allen County’s 2026 DYW last August, Williams’ week is filled with activities in preparation for the preliminaries and finals at the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center for the Arts.
Preliminary activities for this week---such as photo shoots and meetings with the 29 participants---took place in the latter part of 2025. Last Sunday, Williams and candidates from across the Commonwealth arrived in Lexington to launch a week of preparation. Sunday was an afternoon and evening filled with multiple activities including the young women getting acquainted with their host family, touring the Singletary Center, trying on production clothing, rehearsing the fitness routine, and embarking on a service project. The day concluded with a potluck dinner with participants and host families.
The weeklong 10-12 hour days started on Monday, which was filled with practice and workshops on interview skills and public speaking. Tuesday’s schedule takes DYW participants to a service project at the Lifeline Lexington Centre during the morning hours. The afternoon is filled with a production meeting and a full dress rehearsal for the talent portion of the competition. The Wednesday schedule includes a three-hour rehearsal with the highlight of the afternoon being a full dress rehearsal, talent excluded.
The interview portion of the DYW program takes center stage on Thursday. Participants meet with judges and start their rounds of interviews. Later in the day will see the candidates attending a Be Your Best Self workshop before returning to their host family home.
The first preliminary program is Friday evening at 7 p.m. (EST). At this time, the candidates will be on stage in front of judges displaying their fitness, talent, and poise and composure. Prior to the evening’s program, day activities include all candidates continuing practice to polish and perfect the final product.
The second preliminary program is Saturday morning at 11:00 (EST). The afternoon includes all candidates practicing with their “little sisters”, youngsters from their communities selected by each participant to appear on stage for the finale on Saturday. Williams’ younger sister is her sibling, NicoleGrace Cheyenne Williams.
The state final program starts Saturday evening at 7 p.m. (EST) with Kentucky’s 2026 Distinguished Young Woman announced at the conclusion of the event. The winner represents the state in the National program in Mobile Alabama this summer.
The Allen County community can support Williams in a variety of ways. First, supporters can vote in the Hometown Favorite online Persons can vote for $1 (up to 100 times) The participant receiving the most votes will win a $400 cash award. Supporters can also attend the preliminaries and/or finals to show in-person support. A second way is a longstanding state DYW tradition. Cards and notes of encouragement can be mailed to JoyDale Williams ℅ the Bickler Family, 404 Heddington Ct, Versailles KY, 40383. Persons can also send delivers to Williams to the Singletary Center at UK to the attention of Participant #1, Allen County. The final way to support Williams would be to attend the preliminaries or finals.
Williams is the 17-year old daughter of Robbie and Pam Williams.
In Loving Memory of Laura Rector
Allen County Schools mourns the passing of Laura Rector, a devoted teacher at Allen County-Scottsville High School.
Laura was known for her servant’s heart and her deep love for students. She consistently placed the needs of others before her own and viewed teaching not just as a profession, but as a calling. Laura shared her life with her students, lovingly referring to them as “her kids,” and poured patience, compassion, and care into their lives each day.
She embraced life with a positive spirit and faced even the most difficult moments with grace, strength, and an encouraging smile. Laura’s legacy is one of love first, expressed through quiet, faithful service that made a lasting difference in the lives of so many.
She will be deeply missed by her students, colleagues, and the entire Allen County Schools community.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Laura’s family, friends, students, and coworkers during this difficult time and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Tickets will go online today for tonight's game. Tickets can be purchased online or with a card at the gate! There are NO CASH SALES at the gate!
https://simpsonk12.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Index
Athletic Department Issues Reminder of Behavior Policy
As winter sports start, parents/guardians/spectators are reminded of the behavior policy for Allen County-Scottsville High School sporting events at all levels of play. Parents, guardians, fans and spectators who violate the policy will lose the privilege of supporting AC-S student-athletes at home contests.
The first part of the policy centers on individuals ejected from an athletic event. The policy is that if a spectator is ejected by a game official or a school administrator, the spectator must leave immediately from the contest and cannot attend any contest on the same day at any venue on the campus. He/she will then be prohibited to attend the next two home events. The ejected individual must also complete the online National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Sportsmanship Course. The completion certificate must then be presented in person in a meeting with school administration.
If a second offense occurs within the same school year, the individual will be prohibited from attending any AC-SH home athletic event for six months. A third offense in the same school year will result in a one-calendar year suspension from AC-S home athletic events.
“Student-athletes, coaching personnel, and spectators share the responsibility in making a high school sporting event a successful one,” explains the Patriot Athletics Code of Conduct and Sportsmanship Statement. “By doing your part, the event can be one that shows mutual respect and displays pride in your school. When entering an athletic facility, we ask that all participants and spectators conduct themselves with a high level of dignity no matter the outcome on the scoreboard. We are committed to providing a competitive environment for student-athletes to showcase pride in themselves, their school and their community. We aim to promote honor and dignity through wins and losses. Please help us to make AC-S a great place to compete and attend competitions for all players, coaches, officials, and spectators.”
The second policy implemented last year regards the contact between parents/guardians and AC-S coaches.
“No parent/guardian may make contact with a coach that relates to, but not limited to, playing time or management decisions within 24 hours of the perceived incident,” the policy reads. “After the 24-hour period, parents/guardians may correspond with one another in a respectful manner via online communications (school email, Parent Square, etc.).”
A violation of the “24-hour rule” will be handed on a case-by-case basis, which will include meeting with AC-S athletic administration. The meetings could result in suspension from AC-S home athletic events.
Fans also are reminded to adhere to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s statement on sportsmanship, a statement that is required to be announced before each game or match. The ACS announcements also include a simple reminder to fans and spectators.
“Please let the players play, the coaches’ coach, the officials to officiate, and the spectators to be positive.”
Anyone with questions about the policies can contact Allen County-Scottsville athletic director Brad Hood or assistant athletic director Cameron Cook.
“PatCon is Allen County-Scottsville High School’s signature event designed to celebrate student learning, creativity, and innovation.” explained AC-SHS principal Shane Humphrey. “The event brings together students, teachers, and community partners for an evening focused on showcasing the amazing work happening in classrooms.”
The agenda for the evening involves student presentations related to their ongoing Project Based Learning (PBL) activities.
“During PatCon, students present PBLs, performances, and demonstrations that reflect real-world problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking—skills developed through project-based learning and hands-on experiences,” Humphrey added “The theme---Create, Innovate, and Collaborate---captures the spirit of the evening, as students proudly share their ideas and achievements with peers, staff, and visitors.”
Not only does PatCon highlight student achievements but also reflects the connection between the high school and the Scottsville-Allen County community.
“PatCon also celebrates school pride and strengthens community connections, showcasing how Allen County-Scottsville High School empowers students to become innovative thinkers and future-ready leaders.” Humphrey noted.
PatCon starts at 5 p.m. and lasts until 7 on Thursday, November 20. Parents and guardians as well as community leaders and citizens are encouraged to visit the school and see first hand the hard work of the students.
