Smithsonian Institution Honors Work of Montgomery County Youth at GRAC Celebration
MT. STERLING, KY: The Smithsonian Institution, including Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York and the Museum on Main Street in Washington, DC, were both present on May 2 at the Gateway Regional Arts Center to celebrate the work of students at Montgomery County High School. The Youth Innovation in Rural America Initiative (YIRA) was designed to showcase the potential of youth in rural communities to combat local challenges through innovative design.
Through a grant awarded to the Gateway Regional Arts Center, Mount Sterling & Montgomery County was one of two communities in the nation to be selected for the YIRA Initiative. Several Montgomery County High School teachers participated in the program, including Brittany Center (art), John Vice (engineering), Joshua Spencer (art), Abby Adams (English), and Andrew Sorrell (agriculture). During the spring semester, these educators walked their classes through the design process, allowing students to identify pressing issues within the community and investigate tangible solutions to those problems.
“These students rose to the challenge, and many of their projects will actually be more than prototypes - they are going to become reality,” said Jordan Campbell, Executive Director at the Gateway Regional Arts Center, and the project manager for YIRA. “It is wonderful to see our region’s future leaders making the change they want to see happen now. Hearing the youth perspective is vital to a thriving community.”
At the May 2 celebration at the GRAC, many city, county, and regional leaders were present to view the students’ projects and prototypes. One group that designed a collaborative program to combat animal abuse and neglect were invited by County Judge-Executive Chris Haddix to present their idea to the Fiscal Court. Another group presented a small-scale version of a new gazebo with solar panels and charging stations. Envisioned as a meeting place for students during the school day, they hope this prototype will become a reality soon in the MCHS Courtyard. The art classes collaborated on a new art gallery in the lobby of MCHS, focusing their first show on the topic of mental health. “Almost everyone in our classes mentioned something related to youth mental health when we asked about pressing issues,” said Joshua Spencer, MCHS Art teacher. “That helped us decide what our first gallery topic would be when we bring this to reality next school year.”
Mayor Al Botts, who also gave an encouraging speech to students, teachers, and community leaders present, gave the youth inspiration for the future. “We look forward to the great, innovative ideas you have for our community,” he shared. “Mt. Sterling is as capable of innovation as any big city. This is a great place, and you can achieve greatness here just as you can anywhere else.”
Each of the more than 100 participating students left with a voucher for the Academy at GRAC, allowing them to take any class in topics ranging from visual art, music, history, dance, theatre, writing, cooking, and more. “We are all here for you,” said Jordan Campbell. “If you leave with nothing else today, please know that you matter. Look at all these leaders who are here to support you today. Please let us know if and when you need help to succeed.”
The festivities also included a ribbon cutting for the grant-funded Smithsonian Media Makerspace at GRAC, a studio equipped with film, recording, podcasting, and photography equipment. The studio is open and free to use for anyone in the region.
“From my visits this year, I can tell that Mt. Sterling is a very special place,” remarked Kim Robledo-Diga, a representative for the Smithsonian Institution. “The future looks very bright here with these youth at the helm.”
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