Paducah Middle School eighth grader Paige Kight, daughter of Kelly and Robert Kight, has been named a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar in the Cooke Foundation's pre-college scholarship program. Kight is one of 50 eighth graders in the nation selected for the highly competitive program.
Kight's selection was based on her high academic ability and achievement, leadership, purposeful and meaningful service to others, persistence, and ability to set and remain focused on her goals. The eight month application process included standardized testing, long and short essays, numerous recommendations from school and community members, and interviews with national educational leaders.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation enables high-ability middle and high school students with financial need to realize their full academic potential. The Young Scholars Program provides its scholars with individualized educational and college advising, financial support for academic and extracurricular enrichment, computers and learning technology, summer academic enrichment opportunities, specialized support in music/art/science/math, resources for career exploration and mentorship, and travel opportunities.
The Young Scholars Program, a national scholarship with students representing every region and rural, urban, and suburban communities, follows its scholars from eighth grade until high school graduation.
Kight is a member of the Academic Team, recently earning the state champion title in General Knowledge at the 2017 Governor's Cup State Finals. She has been regional champion in Arts and Humanities for the past two years. She competes on the Paducah Middle School Speech Team, and earned the regional champion title in Original Oratory in sixth grade. She earned state semifinalist status at the Kentucky State Speech Finals in sixth and seventh grade, placing among the top 18 in the state. She plays the clarinet in the Paducah Middle School Band, and is a Soprano 2 in the school's choir.
She is a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul's Thrift Store and works at Hancock's of Paducah during the biannual Quilt Show. She attends Hillcrest Baptist Church in West Paducah and is an assistant with the children's services.
This summer Kight will travel to the University of Pennsylvania for a three-week academic program with her fellow Young Scholars.
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