Latest news with #OwensboroInnovationAcademy
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
56 students say 'Farewell' to OIA on Saturday morning
Cassie Campbell, the first-year principal of Owensboro Innovation Academy (OIA), open the school's 10th graduation ceremony on Saturday morning by giving parents, staff and students a big 'thank you.' 'Thank you everyone for making my first year as the principal at Owensboro Innovation Academy one that I can remember,' she said. 'It takes a village and it takes a community to support these students and their dreams and I thank you for doing that everyday for them.' Before the graduating students walked into the auditorium at Owensboro Christian Church, a video slideshow played for the audience, showcasing senior photos, along with baby photos, of all of the graduates of the class of 2025. Giggles and 'awww's could be heard as parents and friends watch for their students' faces on the screen. Campbell explained that each year the graduating class chooses someone as a group to be the commencement speaker. 'This year's speaker is someone that most everyone has loved,' she said. 'I'd like to welcome Mark Moore, the principal of iMiddle School as the class of 2025's commencement speaker.' Moore spoke, stating that remembered some of these students from 'way back in seventh grade when they carried backpacks larger than their confidence.' Zamira McGhee, 17, could have one of those students since she started her journey at OIA as a seventh grader at iMiddle. 'I've been through both schools so I've gotten to know everyone really well,' she said. McGhee said that she's enjoyed the opportunities that being a student at OIA have provided her. 'I love how I've been able to have more control over my education and learning while I'm trying to carve out my own path in life,' she said. OIA, unlike other schools in the area, has a curriculum based around project learning and hands on experiences. Students are able to choose different pathways that interest them, such as computer science, biomedicine and engineering, and then they learn about those pathways through hands-on instruction, experiences and partnerships with the community. 'I appreciate how much the students have gotten to be able to get out into the community and build relationships,' Campbell said. McGhee said that she was able to try out the biomedicine pathway and the computer science pathway, even taking her Advanced Placement exam in computer science. 'I guess I realized that neither of those avenues were exactly right for me, but I appreciate being able to discover that while I'm still in high school so that I can have a plan for college,' she said. And that plan? She's attending Transylvania University in Lexington with plans to study English. 'Ultimately, I'd love to be able to go to Georgetown in D.C. for law school,' she said. Ace Skimehorn, 19, said that he's been able to make a great group of friends while he's attended OIA. 'I think that these are the friendships that are going to last forever. I call them my brothers,' he said. Skimehorn participated in the engineering and computer science pathways while attending classes at OIA, and, he said, that he was able to learn what he didn't want to do in the future because of the project-based learning at the school. 'I learned that computer coding was not for me and that I preferred design more,' he said. Skimehorn said that's happy that he's made it through high school and that he's ready to take his next steps at the University of Evansville. He plans to study mechanical engineering. 'I know all of the students know me for my handkerchief and that I bring it out whenever times get stressful and I just need to wipe my brow,' said commencement speaker Moore as the students laughed at the memories of their former mentor. Moore advised students to remember three words as they begin their next chapters, 'trust, respect and responsibility.' 'Remember, your words and your choices have power, but you should remember to lead with responsibility and scroll passed problems. Everyone has a story and you just might not see it, so have respect for your daily choices while trusting in yourself. You have what it takes to go further,' Moore emphasized. And, as a bit of a parting gift for the graduates, an ode to Moore was placed under each of the students' seats — a handkerchief. 'Your blood sweat and tears are not over,' he said as he instructed the graduates to look under their seats. 'Now you all have your own handkerchiefs to get you through. So, remember, wipe your brow and just get on with it.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hundreds of stem students explore Owensboro Air Show roles at mid-america jet
OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — In Owensboro, students interested in aviation got a behind the scenes look today at the Owensboro Air Show. A stem event was hosted at Mid-America Jet for 3 local schools looking to help the next generation take flight. Tim Ross, the director of public events in Owensboro, says hosting events like these in the Spring versus during airshow weekend allows students the chance for more of a hands-on experience with the machinery. They get to ask questions and learn about the numerous other positions that make everything possible. On Thursday, hundreds of students got a chance to take a step beyond the aircrafts' performances. Stem students at Owensboro Innovation Academy, Apollo High School and Daviess County High School all made their rounds at Mid-America Jet. '[It gives] them a time to talk to these pilots and his crew…whether or not it's the maintainers or the medics or the pilots. 'How do they get started in their field? What they enjoy doing? What their day to day looks like in their field?',' says Ross. Some students even got to switch seats with the pilot and take a look at flight simulations. Captain Sam Williams piloted the C-130 Hercules,a four engine transport aircraft. 'Total fuel is about 42,000 pounds. Which is relatively small in [comparison to] the other Air Force mobility aircraft.' Preson Estes says it was actually his love of Lego's that allowed him to discover his dream of one day constructing aircrafts. 'I've seen how much wiring, and how much that stuff requires. It's very complex. It's going to take a lot. I'm ready to take that challenge,' says Estes. Isabel Pierrard likes aerospace but says, at the moment, her fear of heights has her aiming for a job that keeps her on the ground. 'I have more of an incline for creativity rather than mathematical and strategical. I felt really welcomed as a female. It's pretty male dominated from what I can see today, but it also feels good that we, as girls in this century, had this chance to see all these aircrafts and learn,' says Pierrard. Owensboro officials say after the event, they speak with teachers and students to explore unique ways they can continue to explore roles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
