“Why the Rally?” Kevin Sheilley, president of Northwest Kentucky Forward, answered the question Saturday, “To create wealth and opportunity for our community.” He stated that the key to opportunity was an outstanding and educated workforce, the key to an educated workforce was greater educational expectations, and the key to getting those expectations met was community support.
“Nothing impacts a school’s performance more than community support,” he said. “When a community expects great things, great things happen.”
Union County represented nearly half of the crowd on Saturday, as more than 225 citizens rallied for education at Henderson Community College.
The Northwest Kentucky Forward (NWKF) Rally for Education Excellence sought to stir community support for all levels of education in Henderson, Union, Webster and McLean counties and NWKF representative Katie French says they are more than pleased with the results.
“It went as well as we could ever have expected and we have had extremely positive remarks from many who attended,” French stated.
Henderson County outnumbered Union County in registered attendees by only 23 people. Webster County registered 35 individuals for the day’s event and McLean County registered 17.
French stated that the regional development group had no way calculate unregistered attendance, but she knew that many more citizens attended the rally that did not pre-register. “We estimate a few from each county who registered did not attend, but an overwhelming number came who did not register,” she explained. “We estimate anywhere from 550 to 600 individuals came out on Saturday.”
Individuals from Henderson Community College are currently evaluating the day-end surveys in order to communicate the major concerns of citizens to each county’s community action group.
Union County’s community action group has been established for over a year now. Union County First established the “Education First” committee last year as one of the eight key areas of community culture which would enhance the quality of life in our county. Members from this committee are excited to add to their numbers.
“I was so glad I went Saturday, because it validated my purpose,” said Lori Moosbrugger, committee member. “We want to improve education for our kids.”
Moosbrugger said she was very inspired by the keynote presentation from Kati Haycock, president of The Education Trust based in Washington, D.C. “She reiterated something that I always say—Simplicity is best. I think showing up for the Rally or for the follow-up meeting is one of the simplest things we could do, but it will make a difference,” she continued. “I feel we have a bright future ahead in Union County because of the tremendous interest in education, to make our school system better.”
French knows that going forward now each county will take their own initiatives and make their own path. “The most important aspect to the Rally, what counts is what happens now (in every NWKF county),” French agreed. “(It’s) what Union County does with what they learned, and Northwest Kentucky Forward will be there to support all the counties going forward.”
French confirmed that every county in the four-county region has set a date and time for their first meeting following the rally.
Union County follow-up meeting will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Herron Technology Center.
Brenda Brown and KayCee Brown check in Saturday at the Union County registration booth. 225 individuals from Union County pre-registered to attend the Rally.
Governor Steve Beshear led the day with an address to all Kentucky educators, parents and citizens. "Government legislates, creates policy and procedures, and funds. But money and paper by themselves won't be enough. What Kentucky needs is groups of local leaders who demand high performance," he said. "Be inspired today."
Rally Leadership Chairman for Union County Charlie Moore welcomes Gov. Steve Beshear to the stage.
