Students selected an Algebra 2 unit they had already studied—topics like complex numbers or parabolas—and then narrowed it down to one or two specific concepts. Their task was simple in theory but demanding in practice: take an 11th-grade math idea and turn it into a story that a young child could understand, visualize, and enjoy.

When winter weather threatens the area, the decision to delay or cancel school begins well before most families are awake. Members of the district’s transportation and administrative team are often on the roads as early as 3:30 or 4 a.m., traveling throughout the county to assess real-time conditions. Their goal is to evaluate road safety across LaRue County’s varied terrain before bus drivers begin reporting around 5 a.m.

Students were brought into the LCHS gym for what was described as a brief assembly. When they entered, they were met with rows of neatly organized gift bags spread across the gym floor — one for every student. Inside each bag was a LaRue County Hawks hoodie, a surprise made possible through the generosity of local businesses, community organizations, and an anonymous donor.

“In life, you often have to think on your feet,” she said. “You won’t always have time to look things up. This teaches students how to perform under pressure, how to collaborate, and how to communicate with people.”

For many students, high school is a place to explore interests and discover possible futures. For seniors Caitlynn Whitaker and Brayden Madeck, the JROTC program at LaRue County High School has become far more than an elective—it’s been a four-year pathway shaping their confidence, leadership, and sense of purpose.