WKCTC Student Affairs names the July Student of the Month | Schools

PADUCAH, KY (KFVS) - Ballard County resident Heather Cartney was chosen as Student Affairs Student of the Month for July at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

“I feel so honored to be selected,” Cartney said. “It was a complete surprise.”

The Student of the Month program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of students on campus. Individuals selected must be currently enrolled at WKCTC and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and are nominated on the basis of exceptional performance, personal attributes, academic excellence and active participation in various student organizational activities.

Cartney, a sophomore majoring in nursing, is active on the WKCTC campus and the community. She is a student ambassador, a member of the Hispanic Culture Club, Kentucky Association of Nursing Students, and Student Government Association. Cartney also participates in the Service Learning Program, which focuses on academics and the importance of volunteer work at the college and in the community. Cartney volunteers extensively in Carson Park’s H.O.R.S.E.S., Inc., which stand for Helping Others Reach Success using Equine Services. The program provides therapeutic riding and equine activities to children and adults with autism, brain injuries, and various disabilities in order to build strength, endurance, confidence and trust.

“I am so thankful to the college for giving me the opportunities to use my talents to help others. Without WKCTC, I would not have known about H.O.R.S.E.S, Inc., and I would have missed out on so many other opportunities to make a difference,”  Cartney said.

Balancing a family and a full-time college schedule can be challenging at times, but finding time for volunteer work is very important Cartney said.

“I have been blessed so many times over and I want to pass that on to others," she said. "And I hope that by being selected as Student of the Month, other students can look at me and see that you can be very busy but still find time to pass your blessings on.”

Those who nominated Cartney said her selfless acts, cheerful demeanor, comforting smile, and visible force as an advocate for the human spirit are just a few of the many reasons she was chosen as July Student of the Month. “She is mature, always approachable, dependable, and has a beautiful soul,” said Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell, WKCTC vice president of student affairs.

Student of the Month winners receive $100, a certificate of excellence, recognition on the WKCTC Facebook page, campus announcements, and Web site.  Winners are also recognized by Pepsi MidAmerica, acknowledged in the Paducah Sun, and will receive one free month’s supply of their favorite Pepsi product.

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