Lincoln, Cinderella, and Where We're Going

While the argument could be made the local interest in Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, has everything to do with his birthplace being within a 5-minute drive of downtown Hodgenville - the interest is warranted when it’s taken into consideration people from around the world have heard his name and honor his legacy.

Lincoln, in many ways, is a Cinderella story. Against all odds, he eventually rose to become the leader of the Free World. His story and LaRue County’s future have everything in common still to this day over 150 years later, specifically in LaRue County Schools (LCS).

The LaRue County Board of Education approved an updated Vision Statement to the LaRue County Schools Strategic Plan (originally approved in December of 2019) reading: Our Vision Statement, [is] to create a future-driven school system focused on the whole child, where no learner is ever marginalized. ‘Why does this matter?’ is precisely the right question to ask in view of this slight renovation to the guiding document for LCS.

LaRue County is composed of incredible people. The melting pot of the community is comprised of natives and those who have moved from elsewhere. Beyond where community members are from, the differences creating the harmony that exists in LC are as deep and wide as one could look: members who work in the county or out of it, from high or low socio-economic standing, have different preferred pastimes, and perhaps most important to some members; whether someone is a UK or UofL fan. Whatever differences exist, it is exactly those differences that create the beauty of LaRue County.

Yet, the question still remains, why does the new Vision Statement for the Strategic Plan matter? Simply put, for each student in LCS, no matter the difference they might bring to the table - they get a seat at the table where they have the opportunity to prepare for a future with a school system that cares for them as a whole person, not just a number on a list. At LaRue County Schools, it’s a new day and yet, as always, it’s a great day to be a Hawk.