EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK: We’re continuing our celebration of the extraordinary educators who make Model a place where students are empowered to become the next generation's leaders. At Model, Educator Appreciation Week means recognizing every faculty and staff member, because excellence happens through the dedication of our entire team.
Group 6 Featured Model Educators:
Rebecca Petrey
Cheyenne Pate
Stephanie Clark
Heather Taylor
Mary Beth Hammond
Mendi Lake
Samantha Maynard
Candice Herbst
Ray Hampton
Aaron Teegarden
Milam Douglas
Robin Rice
Debbie Jorgensen
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, families, and school community. You make Model truly exceptional!
Want to join the celebration? TODAY is the last day until next school year to write a thank-you note to a Model educator at model.eku.edu/thankyou.
EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK: We’re continuing our celebration of the extraordinary educators who make Model a place where students are empowered to become the next generation's leaders. At Model, Educator Appreciation Week means recognizing every faculty and staff member, because excellence happens through the dedication of our entire team.
Group 5 Featured Model Educators:
Mary Tom Emanuel
Anne Calloway Dacci
Angela Hardin
Gretchen May
Jana Mayer
Madi Parr
Melanie Smith
Samantha Maynard
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, families, and school community. You make Model truly exceptional!
Want to join the celebration? TODAY is the last day until next school year to write a thank-you note to a Model educator at model.eku.edu/thankyou.
EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK: We're continuing our weeklong celebration of the incredible educators who make Model a place where students succeed! At Model, we celebrate Educator Appreciation Week to recognize every faculty and staff member, not just teachers, because each one plays a vital role in our students’ success.
Group 4 Featured Model Educators:
Megan Fisher
Tiffaney Estill
Deborah Dyrssen
Justin Felix
Andrew Feltrop
Laura Maynard
Lincoln Lunsford
Ellen Mitchell
We're grateful for your dedication, heart, and hard work every day. Thank you for being part of what makes Model exceptional!
Want to thank a Model educator before the week's over? Submit your note here: model.eku.edu/thankyou.
EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK: We're continuing our weeklong celebration of the incredible educators who make Model a place where students succeed! At Model, we celebrate Educator Appreciation Week to recognize every faculty and staff member, not just teachers, because each one plays a vital role in our students’ success.
Group 3 Featured Model Educators:
Vicki Crowe
Sarah Winkler
Jennifer Duty
Jaime Priode
Langdon Messer
Beth Campbell
Morgan Campbell
Angela Jenkins
Keisha Gentry
Jessica Youngman
Monique Mathena
We're grateful for your dedication, heart, and hard work every day. Thank you for being part of what makes Model exceptional!
Want to thank a Model educator before the week's over? Submit your note here: model.eku.edu/thankyou.
EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK: We’re kicking off the week by celebrating the amazing people who make Model a school of excellence! At Model, Educator Appreciation means more than just recognizing teachers—we celebrate every faculty and staff member whose work shapes the lives of our students every day.
Group 2 Featured Model Educators:
Laura Dedic
Natalie Dedic
De Reed
Shane Dutton
Beverly Dyehouse
Karen Edwards
Alyssa Ferrell
Sarah Gump
Zoey Mollette
Madison Honaker
Tim Hoover
Thank you to all the educators across the nation for your tireless dedication to the next generation of leaders.
EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK: We’re kicking off the week by celebrating the amazing people who make Model a school of excellence! At Model, Educator Appreciation means more than just recognizing teachers—we celebrate every faculty and staff member whose work shapes the lives of our students every day.
Group 1 Featured Model Educators:
Paige Beardsley
Jesi Biven
Jennifer Blakeman
Christopher Budano
Alix Castillo
Amber Catron
Holli Hunt
April Centers
Rachel Cornelius
Luke Darville
Thank you to all the educators across the nation for your tireless dedication to the next generation of leaders.
The choices are made and the future is calling! 🎓✨ College Commitment Day was a huge celebration for the Model Class of 2026 and their next big steps. Our 55 seniors are venturing out to 19 different colleges and universities—from coast to coast and right here at home, our seniors are taking the next step with confidence and purpose. We’re especially excited that 15 of them have chosen to continue their academic journey right here at Eastern Kentucky University.
Model Laboratory School is proud to celebrate our outstanding Model Secondary students who have earned acceptance into prestigious summer programs across the Commonwealth! These acceptances reflect their hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence.
Governor's Scholars Program: Alice Schneider ('27), Aiden Flynn ('27), David Tofan ('27), Renee Nystrom ('27), River Turner ('27), Tobias Sowders ('27)
Governor's School for Entrepreneurs: Holt Cunningham ('27)
We commend these students for their dedication and congratulate them on this significant accomplishment!
Congratulations to our State Runner-Up STLP team and our state- and nationally recognized German students!
🏆 Our Model STLP team—Aiden Flynn (’27), Jiwoo Kim (’27), and Tobias Sowders (’27)—earned State Runner-Up honors at the STLP State Tournament at Rupp Arena for their project Model C.R.E.W. (Cancer Research Exchange Workshop). Selected from more than 1,200 projects statewide, their work advanced to the Elite 8 and was presented live before 20,000+ visitors. Additional congratulations to Aiden Flynn, Annistyn Flynn (’31), and Amelia King (’29), named State Finalists in Creative Digital Arts from over 5,000 entries.
🇩🇪 Our German students also earned impressive state and national recognition. In the National German Exam, Lauren Zerbee (’27) earned a bronze medal, with Colin Wangler (’29) and Rory Erlandson (’28) also recognized. At the Kentucky World Language Student Exhibition, Kate Whitlock (’29) took 1st place in High School German 1, while Caroline Williams (’30), Lily Byron (’30), and Potter Miller (’30) earned 1st–3rd place honors in the middle school division.
We are incredibly proud of all of these students for their creativity, dedication, and excellence! 🎉
Join us as we celebrate learning in action at Model Laboratory Schools! Our Academic Showcases invite families and the community to experience the incredible work our students have been creating all year. Visit classrooms, engage with projects, and see how curiosity and creativity grow from elementary through secondary grades.
Elementary Academic Showcase – Thursday, April 30 | 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Secondary Academic Showcase – Thursday, May 14 | 6:00-8:00 p.m.
From science investigations and historical exhibits to writing and research projects, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We hope you’ll join us to celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements!
✨ Opening Night Was a Hit! ✨ Model Laboratory Schools’ production of Annie JR. kicked off with an outstanding opening night filled with big smiles, powerful performances, and Broadway‑worthy energy. Our talented cast and crew truly lit up the stage, and we’re so proud of their hard work and heart.
🎭 There are still THREE chances to see the show:
- Saturday, April 25 at 2:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m.
🎟 Tickets: model.eku.edu/theatre; Adults: $10 | Students/Youth: $5
Come support our students and enjoy this classic, feel‑good musical! 🌟🎶
This EKU Giving Day, we invite you to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Ephraim Otieno (’16), a proud Model Laboratory School alumnus whose impact continues to inspire our community.
Ephraim’s journey was shaped by the Model Family and EKU, just as he gave back through his character, compassion, and commitment to excellence. The Otieno family—Tom and Iddah, along with their children Ephraim (’16), Christopher (’19), and Rebecca (’22)—have been a steadfast and faithful part of the Model Lab and EKU community for many years.
You can help carry Ephraim’s legacy forward by making a gift in his memory to the new Ephraim O. Otieno Memorial Scholarship, supporting future students as they pursue their own dreams.
🎥 Watch and remember Ephraim’s story: youtu.be/Cpwf0dODYko
💲 Make your Giving Day gift: go.eku.edu/give-Ephraim
Join us in remembering Ephraim and carrying his legacy forward in a meaningful way.
GIVING DAY CHALLENGE: Today is EKU's annual Giving Day, and that includes Model! Your support can provide scholarships that give families greater access to Model’s world-class education, sustain excellent curricular initiatives that prepare students for college and career success, or fund the Future Educators Scholarship for Model Alumni.
As a special bonus, Mrs. Laura Dedic ('91) has generously offered a challenge gift of $500 to Model when we reach $2,026 in gifts to the Model Lab School Scholarship today!
If you have already made your Giving Day gift today, thank you! #GIVEBIGE ➡️ go.eku.edu/give-model
Before there were university lectures and careers, there were classrooms filled with curiosity. There were games in the Shirley Kearns Gymnasium. There were teachers who knew your name, and friends who still feel like family. Model Lab wasn’t just where you went to school. It was home. Today, a new generation of students is walking those same hallways and building memories of their own. As a part of EKU’s annual Giving Day, you have the chance to make their experience just as transformative as yours was.
EKU’s Giving Day is TODAY on Wednesday, April 22. The University’s goal is 2,134 donors, and your gift to Model will count you among those Giving Day donors! Your support can provide scholarships that give families greater access to Model’s world-class education, sustain excellent curricular initiatives that prepare students for college and career success, or fund the Future Educators Scholarship for Model Alumni.
Your Model moments shaped you. Today, will you help create those moments for current and future Model Patriots? ➡️ go.eku.edu/give-model
Is there an educator who made you feel seen, supported, or inspired? Students and families—now’s your chance to say thank you.
For Educator Appreciation Week (May 4-8, 2026), we’re inviting you to write a short thank‑you note to any Model faculty or staff member who has made a difference.
At Model, we celebrate Educator Appreciation—not just Teacher Appreciation—because every member of our community plays a vital role in shaping students’ experiences and helping them thrive.
Your messages will be delivered to ensure our educators feel seen, valued, and celebrated, and our goal is to share a note with every faculty and staff member.
Share your appreciation here ➡️ model.eku.edu/thankyou
✨ Prom 2026: Golden Age Glamour ✨ The Class of 2027 is bringing the Golden Age of Hollywood to life! Step into a night of classic Hollywood elegance and red‑carpet style on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
8:00-11:00 p.m.
EKU Center for the Arts Blackbox Theatre
Tickets: $10 each
On sale during secondary lunch times at the Snack Shack
Last week, our fourth and fifth graders took learning beyond the classroom with unforgettable trips and experiences!
Fifth grade students explored our nation’s capital, walking among iconic monuments and gaining a deeper understanding of American history, while others discovered Kentucky’s rich past through immersive visits to the Kentucky History Center and the Mary Todd Lincoln House.
At the same time, many fourth graders headed to 4‑H Camp for a hands-on outdoor learning adventure they’ll always remember! While at camp, students canoed, studied pond ecosystems, observed birds and insects, dissected owl pellets, hiked, and bonded as a class. Along the way, they built independence and responsibility, demonstrated teamwork, curiosity, and respect, and represented Model with pride.
From stepping outside comfort zones to building new relationships and making lifelong memories, these experiences brought learning to life in powerful ways.
Thank you to our families, faculty, and staff for supporting these meaningful opportunities and for sharing so many great photos along the way!
The Madison County International Committee will be sponsoring another exchange between Model High School and Koryo High School in Hokuto City Japan. Model students will travel to Hokuto City October 9-17, 2026. While in Japan, students will attend classes at Koryo High School, participate in a variety of cultural activities, and stay with homestay families. The group will also visit Tokyo for one day. Students will be responsible for the cost of their flight, hotel room, passport, and personal expenses. Exact costs will be determined in early June. Last year, the trip cost approximately $2,000. Students in Classes 2027-30 are eligible to participate.
If you are interested in applying for the program, please complete this form by Sunday, April 19, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Angela Hardin at angela.hardin@eku.edu or Lynnette Noblitt at lynnette.noblitt@eku.edu.