Students showcase speech team and project-based learning; district schedules May 22 student showcase

ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. — Students from Rowan County Middle School and Rowan County Senior High School presented during the board’s April 14 special meeting, sharing competition results and project-based-learning work and asking the board and community to attend upcoming showcases.

Brenna McLean, a three-year member of the RCMS speech team, reviewed the team’s 2024–25 season results and said the group placed in sweepstakes five times, including two first-place finishes, and won the regional championship for the second consecutive year. "Speech and debate has been close to me for a while now," McLean said, describing how debate helped her use her voice and accept both winning and losing.

The speech team reported numerous individual awards: 39 first-place finishes, 44 seconds, 24 thirds, 27 fourths, 27 fifths and 22 sixths across their season, and the team qualified for the Kentucky High School Speech League state tournament where the school placed second runner-up. Coach Chelsea Watts and assistant coaches Nikki Cornett, Ivy Litton and Hayden Watkins were named during the presentation.

High school teachers and students also described a cross-curricular project-based-learning (PBL) unit in which freshmen use research and scripted arguments to advocate on topics ranging from mental health to school nutrition and pay. Lindsey Johnson, an English teacher at the high school, said students will present TED Talk–style performances in the Performing Arts Center on Thursday, May 22, and invited community members and board members to attend.

"Our guiding question for this unit is: how can I use my voice today to create change for tomorrow?" Johnson said, describing the unit’s emphasis on student advocacy and authentic research. The district plans to provide MSU English-education students as peer reviewers and to hold in-school showcases before the evening performance.

A trio of ninth-grade STLP students — identified as Aliyah College, Ella Crow and Macy Stevens — described a Google site they built that hosts a calendar of local volunteer opportunities for students and includes a QR code and contact information for organizations seeking help. They said they are competing in the state STLP competition and asked the board and community to share the calendar with local organizations.

Instructional leaders also highlighted district classroom collaborations created from professional development: career- and technical-education (CTE) students led classroom lessons on beekeeping that supported second-grade pollinator units, and the district has adopted a new ACT readiness benchmark test (CERT) for 10th and 11th graders as part of expanded progress monitoring.

The board’s instructional update included a summary of junior ACT results and trend data showing increases in most areas compared with previous years and indicated the district will expand CERT to include 9th grade next year; MAP will continue for K–8.

Ending note: The board accepted the students’ presentations and distributed invitations to the May 22 student showcase; teachers and students asked the community to attend and to share the student volunteer calendar.

Speakers (students and staff)

- Brenna McLean, RCMS speech-team member (student). - Chelsea Watts, named as speech-team head coach (role mentioned during presentation). - Nikki Cornett, Ivy Litton and Hayden Watkins, assistant coaches (roles mentioned during presentation). - Lindsey Johnson, English teacher at Rowan County Senior High School. - Aliyah College, Ella Crow and Macy Stevens, ninth-grade STLP students (presented volunteer calendar project). - Ms. Carver, instructional staff (presented instructional update).

Clarifying details

- Speech-team competitive results as read: 39 first-place finishes; 44 second-place finishes; 24 third-place; 27 fourth-place; 27 fifth-place; 22 sixth-place. Team named regional champion and placed second runner-up at the state tournament. - Student showcase: May 22, Performing Arts Center; format described as similar to a TED talk with spotlight, microphone and slides. - STLP calendar: Google site with volunteer opportunities; QR code available on flyer; outreach email included for organizations to request volunteers. - Instructional items: CERT benchmark adopted for 10th and 11th grades; planned expansion to 9th grade next year; MAP remains for K–8.

Proper names

- Rowan County Middle School (school, referred to as "RCMS" in meeting) - Rowan County Senior High School (school) - Chelsea Watts (coach) - Kentucky High School Speech League (organization referenced by context)

Community relevance

- Geographies: districtwide student audiences; Performing Arts Center (May 22 showcase). - Impact groups: freshmen students participating in PBL unit, speech-team members, local community organizations seeking volunteers.

Meeting context

- Engagement level: Student presentations were a central part of the meeting’s opening segment and drew positive remarks from board members and attendees. - Implementation risk: Low — presentations and scheduled showcases are informational and promotional. - History: Teachers reported PBL work originated from a 2023 PBL training and ongoing collaboration among English, social studies and special-education teachers.

Searchable tags:["student showcase","speech team","project-based learning","STLP","Rowan County"]