Tarrah Dunaway - Jessamine County Schools

Tarrah Dunaway
West Jessamine High School Senior takes First Place in State FFA Agriscience
Fair and then is named Kentucky FFA Agriscience Student of the Year!
Bovine Marker Investigation: A Two-Year Study
by Tarrah Dunaway
I
first got interested in Agribiotechnology when I was
taking the class at JCTC. Going into the class, I really
had no idea what I was getting myself into. Then when
I started learning about DNA, my interest was just
captured and I wanted to learn. October of 2006 is when I
first heard about the FFA Agriscience Fair, and I knew that I
wanted to represent Jessamine County in this contest.
I wanted to deal with DNA and cattle and that would also
benefit our local farmers. After thinking long and hard about
what I could do as a project, I came up with this idea to see if
there was any correlation between the DNA of seven steers
and their weight. To be able to do this, I was mentored by two
graduate students from UK. They supplied me with the DNA
markers and equipment that I used.
My first step was to learn about DNA and the skills of
extracting DNA. After many DNA extracting kits, I was
able to start on my Agriscience Fair project. I obtained the
cattle hair from a local farmer and also weighed each steer,
then went back to the lab and started to extract the steers’
DNA from the hair samples. Once I had the DNA, I ran
PCR which just copies the DNA over and over. After that I
loaded the DNA and the marker into a gel. Once I got their
steer’s fingerprint, all seven steers with the eight markers,
I was able to analyze the data and found that there was no
correlation between weight and the eight markers.
I enjoyed my working on my project so much that I
wanted to continue working on it for a second year, and JCTC was
then able to purchase the equipment I needed. I wanted to verify
parentage between the seven steers and their mothers. So, luckily a
local farmer had the dams on his farm,
and I was able to collect hair samples
and extract the dam’s DNA to make a
fingerprint of their DNA. I was able
to determine that the sire, whose DNA
I didn’t have, had only one of the
markers and for sure that was H. The
other markers A through G could have
been passed down from the dam or the
sire. So, marker H was passed down
from the sire.
I took my two-year study to the
State FFA Agriscience Fair and
received first place, and will compete
at the National FFA Convention in
October. This year, I also participated
in Extemporaneous Public Speaking,
the Regional Equine Bowl, Chapter Meeting Team Contest, and the
Emerging Agricultural Technology Proficiency Award Contest.
except where noted, FACES is edited, written and photographed by Ronn Crowder
Award-Winning Project at the Kentucky State FFA Agriscience Fair in Calhoun, KY.
The First Place plaque is proudly displayed by FFA Agriscience Student of the Year
Tarrah Dunaway.
photos submitted
Page 1
Many Hours of Lab Time were invested in the award-winning project,
requiring great commitment and time-management from the student.
Volume 2 • Issue 6 June 2008

Ruth Ann Ackerman
Brookside Elementary School
Peggy Welch
Jessamine Career
and Technology Center
Connie Donaldson
Warner Elementary School
Christine Orear
East Jessamine High School
Rita Hoffner
Nicholasville Elementary School
Janet Gayheart
West Jessamine High School
Pictured above are the teachers chosen by their
schools as 2007-2008 Teachers of the Year.
Each school’s winner is nominated for the Jessamine
County Schools Excellence in Education Award,
which is given to one Elementary School, Middle
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Stacy Tatman
East Jessamine Middle School
Kristin Knowles
Rosenwald-Dunbar
Elementary School
Linda Gallutia
West Jessamine Middle School
Emmi Marcum
Jessamine Early Learning Village
Collauna Marley
The Providence School
Steve Sandberg
Wilmore Elementary School
School, and High School teacher annually. Winners will
be announced at the Jessamine County Schools Opening
Day Ceremony in August.
Watch for an in-depth profile of the winning teachers
in the August issue of FACES!

Employees of the Year were announced at the Support Staff Honors Luncheon on May 20. Shown left to right: Barb Sundrup, Warner Elementary
School; Carol Silvey, Central Office; Sherry Beckham, East Jessamine High School; Lelia Huffman, West Jessamine High School; Vicki Lobiondo,
Jessamine Career & Technology Center; Joyce Flinchum, Nicholasville Elementary School; Lisa Raines-Moffett, East Jessamine Middle School;
Gail Carroll, Wilmore Elementary School; Sherlene Johnson, Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary School; Marilyn Preston, West Jessamine Middle
School; Vicky Hubbard, Brookside Elementary School; and Doris Beams, The Providence School.
The West Jessamine Middle School 7th Grade String Quartet
A Special THANK YOU goes out to The West Jessamine Middle School 7th Grade String Quartet
under the direction of Matt LaBarbara for their excellent performance at the Support Staff Honors
Luncheon. The student musicians pictured above are: (left to right) Ouree Lee on cello; Emma Baxter and
Bethany Roller on violins; and Sam Northrup played viola.
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J
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S A
M INE
F
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o F
2
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0 8The 2008 Support Staff Honors Luncheon was held at West Jessamine
High School on May 20 to recognize the great work done by the folks
who make the wheels turn in our school system. Bus drivers and
monitors, food service workers, secretaries and administrative workers
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were honored from each school and department. Classified Employees
of the Year (please see page 2) and employees with Perfect Attendance
were honored at the luncheon which was held for the first time on
election day, enabling more employees to participate in the festivities.

story by Sam Wade, Safety Resource Officer at West Jessamine High School
Ghost Out is an anti-drunk driving program targeting
teenage drivers. In the early stages of the program, (Mon.-
Wed.) students were given statistics, facts, and information
about drinking and driving. They also participated in the Fatal
Vision Golf Cart Course and INTOXICLOCK Demonstrations.
On Thursday, a group of pre-selected students were removed from
classes. One student was removed every thirty minutes during
the school day. These students represented people who died in an
alcohol related crashes. The Grim Reaper (played by Sgt. Matt
Godsey of NPD) came into the classroom and touched the students’
shoulders to tell them that their time had come. The Grim Reaper
was accompanied by the school’s Safety Resource Officer, (SRO)
who explained what had happened and what it represented. A black
carnation was left on that student’s desk to serve as a reminder of
what had happened.
The afternoon assembly began by entertaining students entering
the gymnasium with loud vivacious music to simulate the good
time they might have if they were at a party. Door prizes and
awards were given to students. But the tone of the assembly quickly
changed. Andy Simms of the Commonwealth Attorney’s office
spoke about how drunk driving was a crime and how DUI drivers
were treated by the courts.
Then the featured speaker, Harold Dennis, a survivor of the
1988 Carrolton Bus Crash and former UK football player,
told his terrifying story of the crash. He spoke graphically of his
injuries, but more importantly of the friends he lost and how lives
were changed, all because one man chose to drink and drive. He
reminded students that their decisions affect not only themselves
but everyone around them.
Then the lights went out and 15 students were led by the Grim
Reaper into the gym. Each one held a candle. Officer Wade read
each student’s obituary, recounting the student’s life and goals
that would never come to pass. Then each student’s candle was
Wrecked cars decorated the East High School lawn during Ghost Out Week,
reminding students of the consequences of driving while intoxicated.
GHOST OUT
at East and West High Schools!
Page 5
extinguished and each was laid down by a member of EMS/FIRE
workers and covered with a sheet to represent their deaths.
I feel that the program was a great success. The students really
listened and thought about the program. You could have heard a pin
drop in the gym as the speakers talked and as students watched their
friends get laid out. There were even a few tears shed by students
and teachers alike during the assembly. We hope that our message
against drunk driving will weigh heavily on the students’ minds as
they begin their prom night and summer ventures.
Mr. Harold Dennis gave students at both High Schools a graphic
description of his harrowing experience surviving the tragic
Carrolton Bus Crash in 1988, caused by a drunk driver.
Jessamine County Schools thanks Mr. Dennis for his courage to
tell his painful story for the benefit of our students, who listened in
silence as he recounted that awful event.

Students of Wilmore Elementary
School (WES) will join with
students from more than 500
other schools around the world by
signing Student Signatures in
Space® (S3) posters to celebrate
Space Day 2008!
S3 provides elementary
and middle school students the
opportunity to send their digitized
signatures into space and to feel a
personal involvement with the crew
and the mission. Jointly sponsored
by NASA and Lockheed Martin, S3
is one program of the award-winning
Space Day educational initiative.
“Our goal with Student Signatures
in Space is to spark kids’ interest
in technical studies by giving them
a personal connection to the space
program,” said Barbara Reinike, Space
Day program manager for Lockheed
Martin. “Classes usually follow their
signatures mission together from
launch to landing, so it really piques
the students’ interest in the whole
process. Counterpart lesson plans that
incorporate math and science activities
help teachers take the learning
experience to the next level.”
To this end, Lockheed Martin provides several space-themed lesson
plans as well as classroom and school-wide activity ideas, which are
featured on the Space Day website at www.spaceday.org.
The Space Shuttle mission designated to carry this year’s
signatures has tentatively been identified as STS-126, a flight to the
International Space Station that is scheduled for the fall of 2008.
After returning from space, the poster will be sent back to WES
for permanent display along with a flight certificate and picture of the
crew that carried the signatures into space.
Student Signatures in Space! These students in Mr. Madill’s class are taking turns signing the poster to be sent
into space with the Space Shuttle in the fall of 2008.
Potting Soil and Plants by Jen Bourland
I liked doing my science fair project because I got to try to do something new that I
have never gotten to do before. I think that it was cool that I got to see what soil a flower
grew best in. It was a cool opportunity that I got to do a science fair project. If I could
do one every year I would put my best effort into it. I was really glad that I finally had to
do a science fair project and try something new.
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The program began in 1997, and nearly 4.5 million students
have participated. There is no cost to schools, but because of space
constraints on each mission, participation is limited to approximately
500 schools each year.
Space Day, the first Friday of May, is dedicated to the extraordinary
achievements, benefits, and opportunities in the exploration and use of
space. The ultimate goal is to promote math, science, technology, and
engineering education by nurturing young peoples’ enthusiasm for the
wonders of the universe and inspiring them to continue the stellar work
of today’s space explorers.
Warner Elementary School held its annual 4th Grade Science Fair on May 15.
Winners were chosen from each 4th grade class and were honored at the end-ofschool
awards assembly. The winners were:
Mrs. Simpson’s Class
1st Place: Noah Ragland; 2nd Place: Mike Hamann; 3rd Place: Allison Schubert
Ms. Bernitt’s Class
1st Place: Brianna Marino; 2nd Place: Zebbie Marsee; 3rd Place: Jarod Bertlett
Ms. Underwood’s Class
1st Place: Jen Bourland; 2nd Place: Zach White; 3rd Place: Jonah Kahler
at warner
elementary
school
Does Light Affect Plant Growth? by Noah Ragland
The reason that I chose this project was because my
mom did that project when she was in school. I learned
that white light makes a plant grow fastest. The last
height we measured was 14 inches.

Scholarship Winners!
WJMS eighth-grader Maddie Lockridge is one
of sixteen state-wide Kentucky Middle School
Association scholarship winners.
The Kentucky Middle School Association (KMSA) has named Maddie
Lockridge, an eighth-grade student at West Jessamine Middle School (WJMS) as
one of its 2008 scholarship winners. Each year 16 eighth-grade students across
the Commonwealth receive the award. Only two are awarded in this region.
Winners receive a certificate of recognition and a $100 savings bond, and are invited to
attend a luncheon at the KMSA fall conference at which they are honored.
Tom and Jennie Lockridge are the proud parents of Maddie, who is an exceptionally
well-rounded student and excels in academics. She is in all accelerated classes and has
maintained a 4.0 grade point average at WJMS. Maddie is an excellent role model with her
attitude and attendance. She is community minded and volunteers at her church. She has
worked at the Jesus Prom, a dance for mentally and physically challenged. She has also
collected and helped to distribute food and clothing to the homeless and needy with her
brother in downtown Lexington.
She has been a band member for two years and was first chair flute in 7th grade. Maddie
has been a member of the undefeated West Jessamine Middle School soccer team for
three years, as well as other soccer teams. She has been a dance student for 11 years and a
member of a national award-winning competition dance group for 6 years.
WJMS principal Terry Meckstroth states, “Maddie is a diligent, hard-working student,
athlete and volunteer with many gifts, talents and leadership strengths.”
Scholarship winners are selected based upon a written application and must exemplify
academic excellence, outstanding citizenship, a commendable attitude, and leadership. The
application includes an essay written by the student explaining how he or she exemplifies
the traits advocated by KMSA. Letters of recommendation from one of the student’s
current teachers and his/her principal are also submitted along with the student’s grades,
attendance, and conduct records. Any eighth grade student may submit an application.
The scholarship program was started as a way to recognize young adolescents that
are making positive contributions to their schools and communities while also building
awareness of scholarship programs with eighth grade students. Schools are encouraged to use the application process as a tool for teaching students
about submitting applications with a written piece and getting letters of recommendation.
Rotary Club
Awards
Scholarships
Each year the
Nicholasville Rotary Club
awards scholarships to
deserving students. This year
28 graduating seniors were
selected to receive $500 toward
their College education. The Rotary
has committed a total of $17,500 in
scholarship assistance in 2008. This is a record amount,
topping last year’s assistance of $11,500.
Scholarship Winners for 2008 are:
EJHS:
Chistopher Hisle, Desirae Overstreet,
John Drury, Thomas Owens, Jared Hager,
Andrea Watts, Jason Rexroat, Genevieve Beach,
Ian Schweitzer, Daniel Boyko, Grant Cobb,
Roxanne East , Layla Howard, Jordan Lingreen,
Matt Prewitt, Jason Morton, Andrew Baker,
Jamie Pridemore, LeAndra Longoria,
Shanda Snyder, and Danny Mitchell.
WJHS:
Daniel Williams, Kellsey Carlstadt,
Ethan Adams, Evan Ball, and NatalieYoung
photo by Dexter Knight
Scholarship Recipients were 2008 graduates from East and West Jessamine High
Schools and current college students. Winners were recognized on May 22 at the Rotary
Scholarship Banquet held at the Jessamine Career and Technology Center.
Page 7

Chili Ch Chil Ch Chi C Chi
hhil hi hil hi h hili i il ili lli l i for fo for fo ffo ffor or o r Charity! Ch Cha Ch Cha C CCharity!
har ha h hha har ari a arit
r ri rri
ity it iity
it ity!
ty tty
y! y !
The Th The he Empty Em Emp Empty mpt pty ty Bowls BBow Bowls owls ls Project Pr Pro PProject
roj oje ject jec ect ct t
Raised $1070.00 in 2008!
(with more to come!)
To raise money for charity, students at The Providence
School make hand-thrown bowls during the school
year and sell the bowls in June, at a chili/soup lunch.
Sandwiches, desserts and beverages were
included. They even washed the bowls for
customers after lunch!
by Lou McDonald
9th Grade Student at The Providence School
On May 19, The Providence School
held its second annual Empty
Bowls Project in the cafeteria of
the school. A group of students led
by Ms. Spurlock and Mrs. Clift made onehundred
and fifty bowls. The students involved
in the project are Lou McDonald, Amanda
Hager, Daniel Harris, Summer Hill, William
Daniels, Justin McCoy, Heather Jones,
Samantha Wilson, Anthony Scanlon, Annie
Kuhn, Jeremy King, and Wayne Gray.
The jobs in the project consisted of glazing/
painting the bowls, hand building the bowls,
and throwing the bowls on the pottery wheel.
Everyone tried everything at least once but after a few weeks
everyone found their niche and predominantly stuck with it.
One student who tried excessively hard was William Daniels.
At the beginning of the project he made the crazy statement to try
to make two-hundred bowls, which eventually became our goal.
Although we didn’t meet that goal we made a valiant effort with
Willie as the engine of the train. The whole class had tried to throw
bowls on the wheel and some could do it some couldn’t, but Willie did
and excelled at it. At the beginning of every class he would have his
fifteen minutes of goofing off and horse playing, but shortly after he
would go straight to work.
Some days he would throw six or seven bowls, other days he would
throw thirteen or fourteen, sometimes he would be ready to go before
anyone, but sometimes he would stay hours after class just to throw
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Teachers and administrative staff members
assisted student volunteers serving the
lunch “customers”, who came from all around
Jessamine County and included local political
figures, business people, school board staff,
teachers and principals.
more of the bowls. Some of the students have given me comments like,
“He is very hyper and works fast on the wheel,” said Daniel Harris and
“He did a great job!” says fellow thrower Justin McCoy.
The whole class believes that he has done a great job, and that he
tried harder and harder as the time went on. And even though we didn’t
meet our quota, I still believe that we have made an excellent attempt
and if/when we have another Empty Bowls Project and Willie D is in it,
I’m sure that we will do another great job!