CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
Three Martin County students have been selected for the 2026 Rogers Explorers Program. They join 181 rising high school freshmen from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky chosen for the summer leadership experience.
Kennedy Mills, Aubree Muncy and Zoe Sammons will represent Martin County in the intensive three-day, two-night program.
Presented by The Center for Rural Development, the program focuses on leadership, team building, community service and STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.
The Center announced the 2026 class this week, naming students from 45 counties in its service region.
“The Rogers Explorers Program gives rising ninth-grade students the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, engage with STEAM fields, and experience new challenges while on a Kentucky college campus,” Lonnie Lawson, president and chief executive officer of The Center for Rural Development, said in the announcement. “We look forward to welcoming the 2026 class as they begin this exciting journey.”
The program is open to eighth-grade students across The Center’s 45-county service area who show a strong interest in developing leadership skills and exploring future academic and career opportunities.
This year’s Rogers Explorers sessions will take place at Morehead State University June 9-11, Eastern Kentucky University June 23-25, Union Commonwealth University June 29-July 1, University of the Cumberlands July 6-8, University of Pikeville July 14-16 and Lindsey Wilson University July 21-23.
Students from neighboring counties include Jordan Gibbons, Raina Harris, Paisley Jones, Liam Ferrell, Weston Robinson and Zoe Robertson of Lawrence County. From Johnson County, Mark Jacob Greene, Kadence Jarrell, Layla Short, Aiden Watts, Taylor Spriggs and Jaxon Sturgill made the program. Floyd County students include Briella Brown, Luke Burgett, Calleigh Johnson and Aleena Lafferty. Pike County students are Elliot Ray, Bronx Bartley, Lauryn Thomas, Brett Williams, Serenity Schwing, Andrew Khater, Jade Rivera, Aria Ferguson and Jackie Khater. From Magoffin County, Jackson Hoskins, Alliana Fyffe, Baylee Hatfield and Anneliese Oliver will join the program.