CRAFT CONCEPTS
October 2022
DIRECTOR'S CUT
Once again, the hills surrounding Morehead State University display a tapestry of vibrant colors that include yellows, greens, browns, oranges and reds! For the many of us who feel a special calling to the mountains, you can almost hear the pines whispering to entice you to “come take a walk among the trees.” I hope our Craft students have taken advantage of the beauty that surrounds them this time of year.
Our students have been involved in a myriad number of service projects, research experiences, clubs and competitions. We continue to be so proud of each and every one of them!
Each class strives to make their own mark both individually and for the academy. Each class helps us to leave a legacy and raise the bar for those that follow behind them, encouraging them to further, and move the bar. Our students share with us the desire to continue to strive and make the Craft Academy premier and elite.
Best wishes! Stay focused! Lift each other up!
Dr. Christian
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Malley Taylor Selected to the 2022-2023 Commissioner's Student Advisory Council
Malley Taylor, junior, has been selected to serve on the 2022-2023 Commissioner's Student Advisory Council with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
Established to allow student feedback on critical issues impacting students and schools, the council connects students with KDE staff to develop ideas to strengthen student voice and transform education.
The group meets regularly with the commissioner, both in person and virtually, to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students throughout Kentucky.
“As we continue to reimagine and improve the overall experiences our students have on a daily basis through the United We Learn vision, it is essential that students have a purposeful voice in decision making,” said Education Commissioner and Chief Learner Jason E. Glass. “I look forward to working with the council in the year ahead and am excited to hear from these exceptional student leaders as we work to create a bold new future for Kentucky’s schools.”
Taylor said, "I joined the council because it is essential for students to have a voice in this world, and it is a space where students are the focus."
Taylor will serve for the 2022-2023 school year and, if eligible, will have the option to serve again in fall 2023.
Left photo is Taylor speaking with Dr. Jason Glass, Commissioner of KDE
Oliver Guthrie Accepts Invitation to Wofford College for an Official NCAA College Visit
Oliver Guthrie, junior, accepted an invitation to visit Wofford College, in Spartanburg, SC, for an official NCAA college visit October 13-16, 2022. During his visit, Guthrie met with Head Rifle Coach Seth Flanagan to discuss academic and rifle opportunities at the school. Coach Flanagan led a personal, behind-the-scenes tour of campus, introducing Guthrie to Dr. Sandra Rouse, Vice President and Dean of Students. Coach Flanagan also arranged lunch with the Wofford Rifle team who answered many questions. Guthrie was also given the opportunity to sit in on Dr. Jameica Hill's chemistry class. In addition to her lecturing duties, Dr. Hill serves as Associate Provost and Athletic Liaison for Wofford College.
On the second day of the visit, Guthrie and his father participated in the Wofford's Fall “Discover Days” event which featured a group tour, presentations on admissions, a keynote address from Wofford's President Dr. Nayef Samhat, and panel discussions on student life and international study opportunities. Discover Days came to a close with a tailgate-inspired lunch and an opportunity to watch Wofford defeat Citadel on the gridiron.
Guthrie began precision marksmanship in 2014 with his local 4-H club. He's traveled extensively for training and competition, interacting frequently with collegiate and Olympic athletes, as well as members of the US Army Marksmanship Unit. He currently holds a master marksman rating with the Civilian Marksmanship Program and competes in CMP, USA Shooting, and NRA sanctioned events in both smallbore and air rifle. Guthrie is looking for a school with an outstanding physics department and an opportunity to shoot for a Division I NCAA Rifle team, like the Wofford Terriers.
When asked what he liked about Wofford, Guthrie said, “Wofford is a D-I school that puts education and community above athletics.” While Guthrie has other NCAA visits planned, he's far from ruling out Wofford. “Wofford is high on the list. It's small so I know I can have a big impact on the team and I'm sure that a liberal arts college like Wofford would have a big impact on me,” said Guthrie.
Shoe Drive for WaterStep
WaterStep has sustainable water systems that they deploy during disasters that are called WOW carts and each can produce (purify) over 10,000 gallons of refillable safe drinking water in just hours. This is done through electrolysis (saltwater is charged (electrodes) and runs through a membrane. The gas produced is chlorine gas and it kills harmful bacteria while the UV will do the rest by destroying the actual DNA of microbes that are left in the water.
Isenhart said, "WaterStep is a non-profit organization and they do shoe donations to fund the organization. I have run numerous shoe drives for WaterStep. The used shoes (any condition are accepted) are either sold in bulk at a low cost to small business owners in underdeveloped countries in Africa and then sold while funding families overseas. WaterStep gets a small amount and 100% of these proceeds will support programs such as the recently installed water purification systems in Hazard and Buckhorn in Kentucky."
"I am a humanitarian at heart and an environmentalist who cares to reduce plastic pollution to cut down on our carbon footprint and help prevent future disasters and counteract climate change. I feel that we all could pitch in to help the people in Eastern Kentucky and around the world with something so simple as donating our old shoes instead of throwing them into landfills. I'm doing this permanent drive; we can help others in need and protect our environment," said Isenhart.
The Shoe Drive boxes will be placed in the basement, lobby, and common rooms on the second and third floor of Grote-Thompson Hall. The drive will run through the month of November. For more information, please contact Freya Isenhart at 502-999-0361 or faisenhart@gmail.com
RESEARCH & SPECIAL PROJECTS
First Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Regional Tournament Event
The Craft Academy Robotics Team, FTC Team 20694 Craft Coalition, had their first competition on Saturday, October 22nd. This first competition was one of two Beaker meets hosted by Morehead State University in association with the Center for STEM+X. The meet hosted 13 teams with five out-of-state teams from Kettering, Loveland, Mason, and Cincinnati Ohio. There will be four regional meets like the one happening in October during the 2022-2023 FIRST robotics season. Morehead State University will be hosting one more on Saturday, January 28th. The other two regional meets will be hosted by Murray State University. The Craft robotics team only needs to attend the next regional meet at Morehead State University to qualify for the Kentucky state competition.
At this first meeting, the Craft Robotics team played very well. The team has had just over a month to build, program, and get their robot ready for competition. Even with the short time restraints, the team placed third in the competition with a win-loss record of four wins and one loss. The team plans to redesign their robot to fix the problem of tipping when fully extended and to make their cross-game field travel faster. The team wants to thank Morehead State University and the Center for STEM+X for hosting an amazing regional meet and is excited to get back into action on January 28th!
Robotics Team: Ethan Moulton, Whitley Martin, Graeme Miracle, Shawn Nelson, Sarah Lakes, Cadence Ferguson, Dakota Murphy, Camryn Banbel, Brady Sammons, Jackson Curtsinger, Kaleb Trent, Logan Lee, Matthew Mynk, Ryan Ilari, Sawyer Putnam
Coach: Dr. Rachel Rogers
Photos and article written by: Shawn Nelson
Hannah Stanley & Landon Hodge Present Research at the American Society for Microbiology KY-TN Branch Meeting
Hannah Stanley and Landon Hodge, seniors, studied Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacterium that is a hospital pathogen that allows itself to become resistant against antibiotics. They researched the effects of overexpression of UmuDAb (a gene repressor) on the cell length in this bacterium in the Hare Laboratory using an arabinose-induced plasmid to overexpress the UmuDAb. They have also studied the effects of DNA damage on the gene expression of this bacteria using mitomycin C. Using ANOVA statistical methods, data was analyzed, compiled, and compared to previous experiments completed. A protocol was developed for Microbe J, the digital software that measures bacterial cells.
Hannah Stanley and Landon Hodge, along with research mentors Dr. Janelle Hare and Dr. Deborah Cook, presented their research at the regional KY-TN American Society of Microbiology Conference at East Tennessee State University.
STUDENT SERVICE
Campus Clean-Up
ACTIVITIES/EVENTS
Pine Mountain Weekend Retreat
The Craft Academy took students on a STEM learning trip to Pine Mountain. Pine Mountain was a school until 1972, when they turned into a community center, though they do still offer classes for a bunch of different topics there. Pine Mountain is over 800 acres and has 26 historical buildings on the land.
On the trip Craft Academy students were split into two groups of 11 and then participated in four classes over the two-day period. The first day was the medicinal herbology and animals of Pine Mountain classes. Pine Mountain has all sorts of plants that can be used medicinally and in class students learned about how you can incorporate the plants into medicine and how they have had to do so because Pine Mountain is so secluded. Students learned that you can make balms, teas, pill capsules, and essential oils with these plants, and students even got to make their own lip balms with some essential oils! The animal class gave students an activity where they had to identify the skull and fur of their animal and then present it to the rest of the class using the information they provided. At the end of day one, students participated in a stained-glass soldering activity followed by a campfire until late evening.
On the second day, the students participated in a Stream Ecology class and a Hydroelectricity class. During the Stream Ecology class students monitored the biological aspects of two streams and compared. Students caught different invertebrates and measured stream health by seeing what amount of pollution that each organism could live in. The Hydroelectricity class included a hike up to the reservoir that held all the water for the whole community and then students saw where the water was turned into electricity and released back into a stream.
In addition, there were research opportunities for students interested in environmental science, ecology, biology, and geology.
Photos and article written by: Kendall Mayes
Pumpkin Carving
The Craft Academy hosted a pumpkin carving activity for students. Mrs. Shaw, Student Activities & Events Coordinator at the Craft Academy, gave students the opportunity to carve pumpkins and donate them to the local park so that the whole community could view them. After students carved their pumpkins, they were all invited to attend a Pumpkin Glow Fest at the Morehead City Park where they could walk around and observe all the pumpkins lit up after dark at the park!
Article written by: Kendall Mayes
Halloween Costume Contest
The Craft Academy staff hosted a Halloween Party for students where they had the opportunity to participate in a costume contest. The costume contest was judged with 4 categories, the funniest, the scariest, the most creative, and the #1 overall winner. The Halloween Party had lots of snacks and drinks for the students to enjoy after a day of classes!
STUDENT WINNERS:
The Funniest/Velma Dinkley: Derek Gill
The Scariest/Wendigo: Taylor Fryman
The Most Creative/Ceiling Fan: Wren Cragle
The Best Overall Winner/Willy Wonka: Miana Ratcliff
Craft Academy Staff also had a costume contest where students got to vote on who had the best costume! Ms. Mariela Duarte-Hernandez won as Elle Woods from Legally Blonde with Dr. Nick Adams in a close second place as a Corporate Pirate!
Article written by: Kendall Mayes
Craft Academy Students
Craft Academy Staff
CA Staff
Elle Woods-Legally Blonde
MARIELA DUARTE HERNANDEZ
BRUISER (dog)
Corporate Pirate
Dr. Nick Adams
Annual Halloween Gnome Hunt Winners
During the last week of October, the staff hide two gnomes for students to find within the lobby and basement of Thompson Hall. Once the student(s) find a gnome, they bring it to the office for their prize, which is two large pizzas! The students truly have a blast hunting them and the staff enjoy seeing how excited they are when they bring the gnomes to us!
Below are photos of the many winners we had during our annual Halloween Gnome Hunt.
FORREST MAYES
ISABELLA JOHNSON
HOPE MEYERS
MADISON EUBANKS
TRINITY TOWNSEND
BRIANNA KAYATIN
Smile Week
CRAFT ACADEMY HOSTS SPEAKER SERIES
Alumni Boone Allison Interns at Mayo Clinic
Boone Allison, Class of 2017, spoke to students virtually on October 12th about his experiences at the Craft Academy, his educational career, and about how he is now an intern at the prestigious Mayo Clinic.
While at Craft, Allison took a wide range of classes, and through trial and error, found out that he loved business. But this realization came with some uncertainty; business is present in every industry, and he had to narrow it down. After having a positive interaction with the CEO of a hospital while a relative was in the hospital, Allison realized that not everyone who works in a hospital is a doctor or nurse. Healthcare administrators work alongside doctors on the business end while doctors provide patient care.
Allison attended Milligan University and got his undergraduate degree in two years and began working at the American Cancer Society in Lexington as a manager for the Hope Lodge Program. The Hope Lodge Program provides housing for patients who commute significant distances for treatment. Later on, Allison got his master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in health administration. Currently, Allison is doing a two-year fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Fellowships provide both learning opportunities and the potential to get a permanent position in the future. Students were also made aware of how many different fields of study can also be applied to healthcare, such as robotics and computer science.
Allison spoke fondly of his time at Craft Academy, especially concerning its academic rigor. He left students with some important advice; be curious, ask questions, and connect with professors. He heavily emphasized the importance of answering questions. Concerning failure, he said, “give yourself some grace and assess what went wrong."
Article written by: Alexa Cunningham
Meg Robbins Discusses Research Opportunities at MSU to Students
Robbins shared an exclusive link that cannot be found on the MSU website with the students. On this website, students can find a timeline for research-related deadlines and opportunities, information about undergraduate research fellows, and much more. Students should navigate to the “Resource” section of the website to create a free CUR Membership which gives them access to journals, job boards, advocacy, funding, presentation opportunities, and more. If students stay at Morehead State University, they can be paid to complete research, starting at $9.00 an hour. Additionally, Robbins spoke about Posters at the Capital and the Celebration of Student Scholarship where MSU students present their research.
Robbins office is located in the Center for Career Development and Experimental Education. She further explained that to find her office, go to the front entrance of the Camden-Carroll Library, and take the sidewalk left until to arrive at the side entrance of the library. She encourages all students to stop by and visit her anytime.
Exclusive website: www.tinyurl.com/ugresearchmsu
Article written by: Savannah Reed
CRAFT ACADEMY WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS
Evan Billips, Residence Counselor
In Billips free time you can find him wrenching on and racing cars, motorcycles or playing his quitar/bass with one of his three bands. He also enjoys skateboarding, powerlifting, and bass fishing.
CRAFT CONNECT
Craft Connect is a new networking platform for Craft Academy students and alumni. With your Craft Connect account, you will gain access to a range of resources including:
- scholarships
- mentoring and exclusive events
- advancing your career with professional networking
- find connections through Craft Academy's global community
- re-connect with old classmates
- and much more!
Be sure to visit http://craftconnect.org to create your account today!
Upcoming Events/Information
November 12: Craft Academy Alumni Leadership Conference, 9 am-3 pm, ADUC Ballroom
November 19: Craft Academy Fall Dance, ADUC Ballroom
November 20: HGA Special Project Service Learning Trip, Hazel Green
November 23-25: Thanksgiving Break, no classes and offices are closed
December 5-9: Finals Week, fall semester ends on December 9th
Weather Reminders
· Sign up for Eagle Alerts by text message at: https://moreheadstate.edu/about-msu/emergency-resources/eagle-alerts
· Download the Live Safe app for Apple iTunes/Goggle Play: https://moreheadstate.edu/about-msu/leadership/administration/police/livesafe
· Follow MSU on social media:
- · Facebook: @MoreheadStateUniversity
- · Instagram: @moreheadstate
- · Twitter: @moreheadstate
· Check the MSU website at www.moreheadstate.edu.
· Listen to WMKY 90.3FM (www.wmky.org).
· Visit https://moreheadstate.edu/about-msu/emergency-resources/weather-info/ for plans and procedures.
Stay In Touch
Email: craftacademy@moreheadstate.edu
Website: https://moreheadstate.edu/academics/colleges/craft-academy/
Location: 260 University Boulevard, Morehead, KY, 40351
Phone: 606-783-2093
Facebook: https://facebook.com/msucraftacademy
Twitter: @MSUCraftAcademy
Sandy Bush,
Newsletter Editor