Garrard County Schools honors state champions and launches Friends nonprofit

Garrard County schools used a special student-board meeting to celebrate recent competitive achievements and formally introduce a new community nonprofit that will support scholarships and teacher grants.

Staff introduced and recognized the CDR archery team for winning the Kentucky NASP state championship — described in the meeting as a first team state title for the district with a reported team score of 3,080 points — and highlighted individual state placings for students Charlie Poe and Mila Clarkson. The district also celebrated the inaugural Garrard County High School winter guard, which the presenter said finished first in its class at multiple contests and won the Tri‑State championship.

The meeting included the new Brown and Browning Award of Service, created to honor long-serving board members whose behind-the-scenes contributions were described as foundational to the district; Joe Brown and Jerry Browning were recognized as the award’s first honorees.

Leaders introduced the Friends of Garrard County Schools, a newly formed nonprofit described as a supplemental community partner that will raise funds for student scholarships, teacher mini‑grants and summer enrichment. Jen Primm, identified as the nonprofit’s new president, thanked the board for approving a payroll-deduction option and asked community members to volunteer, advise on priorities and donate. "I'm the new president of the Friends of Garrard County Schools," Primm said during the soft launch remarks.

Dr. Eve Roberts, introduced as a Friends leader, outlined the group’s vision of partnering with the district so “every student has access to the opportunities, resources and support that they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond,” and emphasized teacher supports and training. Meeting speakers clarified that the nonprofit intends to supplement board work — not replace core board duties or fund large capital projects or sports teams.

Students from multiple clubs and career pathways gave short presentations and recaps of the year’s activities, including FCCLA leaders who reported regional and national conference participation, FBLA students who advanced dozens of competitors to state contests and national qualifiers, and biomedical and health‑science pathway students who described hands‑on coursework and industry certifications the district now offers.

The recognition and nonprofit launch were followed by short remarks from board members and the superintendent, who praised the students and community for the accomplishments and said district leaders look forward to partnering with the Friends group.

The board meeting then moved on to routine reports and action items.