All little children need big dreams. One child that has grown up to be a high school senior wants to pursue her big dream. And with the help of a scholarship from “Your Mountain Television”, she and 99 others will get a start at achieving it.

“I plan on going to EKU (Eastern Kentucky Univeristy) and majoring in Forensic Science,” said Ashlie Brown, a Senior at Breathitt High School. “They do a lot of lab work, checking on DNA evidence, looking at fingerprints and matching ballistic samples.”

Ashlie, the 17-year-old daughter of Reeda Combs of War Creek, says she’s fascinated by this broad application of sciences to answer questions that pertain to crime and the legal system. She also wants to take courses in Criminal Justice, in which EKU is nationally-renowned for. “It’s the only college in Kentucky that has a Forensic Science program. And a lot of what they do is like the stuff they do in the lab on the TV show ‘CSI’.”

Ashlie’s one of six high school Seniors from our county that were awarded the WYMT Mountain Basketball Classic Scholarship last week. She joins fellow BHS Senior classmates Nicole Johnson and Jasmine Coomer; along with Jackson High School Seniors Carrie Winegardner, D. J. Clemons and Aaron Jackson as the half-dozen students who’ve been given the opportunity to follow their dreams.

Like the other five, Ashlie was concerned about the high cost of a college education. “I was really happy, because I was worried about those expenses. And when I got the letter, it was like, ‘Wow!’ My Mom and my sister were happy for all this too.”

And like the others selected from schools across Eastern and Southeastern Kentucky, Ashlie’s continuing her push to finish her Senior year. “I was a member of the ‘Vol-E-Cats’, our school’s girl’s volleyball team this year, and I’m presently working on the yearbook. Plus, I’m Vice-President of the school’s FFA Chapter, and a member of the National Honor Society. So I stay busy until graduation.”

In the game of chess, the term “Your Move” is commonplace. D. J. Clemons not only was one of the WYMT Scholarship winners, but also enjoys playing the game that’s popular in schools, in tournaments and in clubs worldwide. “I’ve been playing chess since I was in the 6th Grade,” said Clemons, who’s a 17-year-old Senior at Jackson High School. “What I like about chess is the strategy that you have to use, the fact you use your mind, and the tactical side of the game.”

The son of Robert and Lillie Clemons of Jackson, D. J. is also a member of the Jackson City School “Y-Club”. He too is grateful for the scholarship, because in his words, “every little bit counts towards your education. I’ll go to Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC), and get a degree in Radiology, and I’m also going to have a minor in Political Science, since I enjoy keeping up with politics and current events.”

HCTC will also be the college of choice for Jasmine Coomer, who’s a 17-year-old Senior at Breathitt High. “I’m currently taking an Anatomy class at the college while I’m in high school, and I want to major in Physical Therapy for my career choice.” The daughter of Guy and Cherl Coomer of Jackson, Jasmine also was extremely happy to be a WYMT Scholarship winner. “Very, very thankful is how I put it. Like the others who won, we all know that college is expensive. This will help.”

And so will the interest Jasmine not only has in excelling in academics, but also in athletics. “One thing I’m looking forward to before graduation is getting back on the softball field and playing for the team this season.” If you check out any of the LadyCats softball games this Spring, more than likely you’ll find Jasmine in the infield, playing Shortstop.

Don’t be surprised if Jasmine and her team end up playing Jackson City’s Lady Tiger softball team. Should that happen, she’ll be on the field with Carrie Winegardner, who enjoys playing 3rd Base for the Lady Tigers. “I’ve got that to look forward to before we graduate, as well as helping out as a manager of sorts with the boys’ basketball team. And then there’s those college classes I’m taking this year in English and College Algebra.”

Like the others picked from our county, Carrie, who’s an 18-year-old Senior at Jackson High, was pleased with receiving the award. “Yeah, I was excited. I was really pleased that I got it. Anytime that you get help with paying for college, it comes in handy.”

And as the daughter of Chris and Jamie Winegardner, Carrie wants to make them proud with her quest for the best in a college career. “I want to go to the University of Louisville where I’ll be majoring in Biology. I’m mainly into Anatomy and Physiology, because those subjects I can grasp what they’re all about. It’s all part of a dream about being a General Surgeon.”

The trend of taking a college course or two during the last year of high school is becoming more popular, which is good for Aaron Jackson, a Jackson High Senior. “I’m taking a course in English at Lees (Lees Campus of HCTC), which is preparing me for higher education. And I’ve applied and have been accepted to go to UK for college. All I’m waiting for is to get approved for my housing application.”

But for now, the 17-year-old son of Julie Mooney and Steve Jackson hasn’t decided on a major, just yet. “I’m undecided right now, and I’m trying to find the right major in college so I’ll enjoy working in that field of study.” And concentrating on the rest of the basketball season, as Aaron and the Tigers boy’s team glides into the second half of the regular season, with hopes for a long ride in the March tournaments. Like his fellow Seniors, Jackson was honored to be named as a scholarship winner. “I was glad to be named because anything will help toward college.”

A feeling that was also voiced by Nicole Johnson, a Senior at Breathitt High School. “I’m excited and very happy to get the scholarship. I was smiling a lot around the house when I saw the letter, and when it was announced that I won.” The 17-year-old daughter of Tanya Gross of Jackson is focused on the remainder of her high school days first, then she’ll take on college life. “Between now and graduation, I want ot pass all my classes, and a good second semester. Then I’m planning to attend Alice Lloyd College this Fall. So far, I haven’t decided what my major will be at Pippa Passes. I’m just going to go with the flow.”

Each year, as they have for several years, the two schools beam proudly when asked about their winners of the WYMT Scholarship. For Jackson High Principal Jim Yount, this year was no exception.

“I’m real proud to have three kids selected from our school to be representated. They do a lot, not just for themselves, but for the school and the community. To have three of our own included among the 100 chosen is quite an accomplishment.” After commenting on this year’s choices, Yount also had kind words to the folks that made it possible. “It’s great that WYMT gives them assistance and recognition in what they do.”

Like a proud Papa, Breathitt High’s Principal was thinking the same thing. “WYMT has expanded their role in the tournament, adding more scholarships, and continuing to show a committment to the students of this county and Eastern Kentucky,” said Derek McKnight, after his school’s three winners were interviewed.

“With the increase in college tuition, this helps tremendously. I’m very proud of all three of them. We truly expect them to go on to college and do well, and this provides a way for them to do it. Those kids - not just ours but all one hundred of them - are socially and academically well-rounded. Most of all, they are community-minded. students. These scholarships will be the initial push, so they can pursue their big dreams.”