2014-2015 Programs
Workforce Workshop
The Mustang Youth Services Center partnered with the City of Paducah Parks & Recreation by providing a college & career development workshop for the Student Government at MCHS entitled “Workforce WORTHshop: Do You Have What It Takes?” Students participated in this half-day, interactive workshop which provided sessions on resume writing/interviewing skills, filling out job applications, conflict resolution, creating a healthy lifestyle, setting goals and leadership. Presenters included: Joni Goodman, KeeFORCE; Stacey Young, Baptist Health Paducah; Robert Tashjian, UK Cooperative Extension; Amie Clark, City of Paducah; Melanie Egner-Cole, EXL7 Bootcamp; and Michael Ceglinski, MCHS. Each student who completed the entire workshop received a “Certificate of Completion” to be used when applying for jobs, scholarships, internships and a professional development training experience of which they can include on their resumes.
Nonprofit agencies were also invited to provide information about their organizations, the services they offer to the community and how students can get involved. Special thanks to Aida Vega (Hope Unlimited), Niki Jehnke (Merryman House) and Monique Zuber (United Way – Paducah). Thanks to ALL of our business partners and presenters for volunteering their time to help our students!
Students participants include: Madelyn Buckingham, Carter Bullard, Barton Christmas, Erika Crowell, Evan Dowell, Robin Ford, Jackson Gray, Joshua Grogan, Allison Housman, Elizabeth Noonan, Emily Perry, Caleigh Propes, Jordan Russell, Vincent Shiben, Olivia Sin, Caroline Smith, Kourtney Stevens, Jacob Weitlauf and Hannah White.
For more information about the Mustangs YSC contact Stacy Thomas at 538-4370 or stacy.thomas@mccracken.kyschools.us
2015 MCHS College and Career Fair
The Mustangs Youth Services Center partnered with Regional businesses and colleges in its 2015 MCHS College & Career Fair. Over 50 representatives were present to provide information for ALL of the Juniors & Seniors at MCHS! Students rotated in 30-minute increments and were able to network, receive information and learn more about colleges and careers as they plan towards the future.
Special thanks to Chick-fil-a free-standing store for sponsoring our coffee service and to Texas Roadhouse for sponsoring lunch for all of our vendors! We also would like to send a shout-out to our MCHS student government for working the fair and showing our community what great leadership we have in our student body!
Reality Store 2015
The Mustang Youth Services Center partnered with the UK 4-H Extension office in Paducah to bring students to the annual Reality Store. The Reality Store program began in McCracken County in 1998. This program introduces youth to the “realities” associated with adulthood–provision of food, clothing, shelter, etc. for a family and how these relate to career choices. Upon arrival at the simulation, students receive the equivalent of one month’s salary for the career they have chosen or been given. Participants go through the “store” purchasing housing, transportation, childcare, etc. They quickly see the value of having to budget that income based on needs versus wants. By the end of the simulation, students usually see a relationship between career, lifestyle, and education.
The “Reality Store” is gaining popularity as an introductory exercise in helping youth understand some of the “realities” involved in preparing for an employable future. The exercise is designed to be a tool to grab their attention so they will choose to involve themselves in a more substantive “curriculum” oriented workforce preparation.
Over 100 students through the Family & Consumer Science and Leadership Development classes at MCHS participated this month.
Hope Unlimited 2015
Mustangs YSC partnered with Hope Unlimited, INC to bring Sexual Integrity presentations BACK to MCHS classrooms. Hope Unlimited’s Young Adult Development Coordinator uses the evidence-based, abstinence-centered sex education curricula called Choosing the Best. Their mission is to educate teens on the health advantages of delayed sexual activity and empower them to make the healthiest choices, in order to reduce unplanned pregnancies and STDs, improving life outcomes for teens and their families.
Pictured is Keisha Hopkins as she presents to Mary Meinschein’s health education class!
FAFSA Workshop 2014-2015
MCHS Guidance Counselors partnered with KHEAA and other higher education representatives to provide a free FAFSA workshop for parents and students on January 12-13. Participants received hands-on information on how to fill out the FAFSA application to receive financial for the upcoming school-year for colleges and universities. Representatives were available to assist parents through the process of submitting the proper documentation for students to be able to receive money for college.
For more information about the KHEAA financial aid workshops, please contact Brittany Thompson, MCHS Kentucky College Coach at brittany.thompson@mccracken.kyschools.us.
MCHS Christmas 2014
One of our favorites here at the Mustang YSC – Advisory Council member and community partner Tammy Partain! Tammy is helping to spread some Christmas cheer from Federal Materials, Inc.
Online Media and Bullying Presentation 2014
The Mustangs Youth Services Center partnered with the Paducah Police Department to coordinate Bullying Prevention and Online Media Safety presentations for the students at MCHS in the Month of November. Officer Gretchen Morgan presented to about 800 students and provided information about the importance of online media safety, bullying, what to do and how to report it. Students were engaged in interactive presentations on how our choices can effect us for the rest of our lives and the importance of being responsible with online media because the truth is, once you put it out there, it is forever.
For more information about the Mustangs YSC contact Stacy Thomas at 538-4370 or stacy.thomas@mccracken.kyschools.us.
College Application Week 2014
Kentucky College Application Week was held November 17-21 at MCHS to assist Seniors in the application process. Guidance Counselors partnered with higher education representatives to coordinate a week where students could fill out and submit their application to a university or college. Over 85 students participated this year! Special thanks to Murray State University and West Kentucky Community & Technical College for helping our students.
For more information about College Application Week, contact Guidance Counselor, Holly Miller at 270-538-4342 or holly.miller@mccracken.kyschools.us
Paducah Cooperative Ministries 2014
The Mustang Youth Services Center partnered with Mary Meinschein’s Health & Wellness class and took a group of students to Paducah Cooperative Ministries for a tour and to learn more about the organization. Students in the class were studying the importance of nutrition and the effect that poverty can play if families do not have enough to eat. The friendly staff at PCM spoke with the students about how they serve the community and how they try to educate each family who receives their services.
MCHS DAT Conference 2014
The Mustang Youth Services Center took a group of students to the regional D.A.T (Drug Alcohol & Tobacco) Don’t Fit Conference in November. Students groups learned how to create strategies and action plans within their particular school to help with alcohol and substance abuse prevention.
MCHS students who attended:
Josh Grogan, Jeff Walker, Brenna Adams, Barton Christmas and Jackson Gray.