Lindsey Wilson Bonner Scholar Program

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Lindsey Wilson Bonner Scholar Program

Spread the Bonner Love Chamber of Commerce, The Center for Courageous Kids and several others.

For the purposes of the Bonner Scholar Program, “community service” is defined as service provided to individuals or communities to meet social, educational, or environmental needs. This service may be provided directly or indirectly through a student-initiated project or a project sponsored by a non-profit or government agency. No less than half of a Bonner Leader’s service hours must be spent in

“direct, hands-on” community service activities such as tutoring, visiting the
elderly, environmental clean-up, building a home, renovating a playground. Some of our Bonner placements include: Summit Manor Nursing Home, Lake Cumberland Head Start, 4-H Youth Development, Camp Casey, and Columbia/Adair Co.

08/24/2026

Hello Bonners! We hope that ya'll have had a terrific first day of classes and we can't wait to see all the cute first day of school pics on our feed. 💙 Here's your weekly update, so mark your calendars and set your alarms!

08/19/2026

Summer Spotlight: Seth at the Center for Courageous Kids

This summer, Sophomore Bonner Scholar Seth served at the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), where she gained a deeper appreciation for how intentional planning and compassionate service can create meaningful experiences for others. CCK provides safe, accessible, medically supported camp experiences at no cost to children with disabilities and lifelong illnesses and their families.

One aspect that stood out to Seth was the amount of thought and care that goes into creating an experience where every camper feels a sense of belonging, independence, and the joy of being a kid. She was impressed by how CCK considers the needs of the people it serves when developing its programming, activities, facilities, and daily interactions.

As a business major interested in management, Seth especially valued seeing how CCK’s mission connects with effective organizational management. She recognized that the organization’s success depends on strong communication, teamwork, planning, programming, and attention to detail. Her experience showed her that good management is ultimately about understanding the people you serve and creating systems that allow them to thrive.

Seth also connected her CCK experience to her semester-long service at Bob’s Basket. While the organizations serve different populations, she recognized that both require care, intentionality, and an understanding of individual needs. One of her favorite parts of CCK was forming a compassionate connection with a camper, reinforcing for her that some of the most meaningful parts of service come through relationships.
Through her experience at CCK, Seth gained a deeper understanding of how her interest in business and management can intersect with her desire to serve others. She left with a greater appreciation for organizations that combine professionalism, thoughtful planning, and compassion to make a lasting impact.

08/18/2026

Sarah Sonnabend at the Adair County Public Library

This summer, senior Bonner Scholar Sarah served at the Adair County Public Library, gaining valuable experience while connecting community members with resources and programs.

Throughout the summer, Sarah worked at the front desk, checking books in and out, assisting with faxing and copying, helping patrons navigate technology, supporting job applications and background checks, setting up phones, and maintaining library materials and displays. She also helped lead the library’s Summer Reading Program, planning and facilitating weekly activities for children and teens. From crafts and reading to scavenger hunts and lessons on dinosaurs and volcanoes, Sarah helped create engaging experiences that encouraged learning and community. The program served more than 100 children, while teen programming regularly welcomed 20–30 participants each week.

One of the most meaningful parts of Sarah’s experience was learning what happens behind the scenes to keep a library running. Although she had previously worked at the library through Bonner, this summer allowed her to take on a much larger role. She gained a deeper understanding of library regulations, community partnerships, and leadership responsibilities while developing skills in customer service and office operations. Sarah especially appreciated the patience and encouragement of the library staff, sharing, “It’s very nice to be able to learn from them because they don’t make you feel bad if you forget something.”

One of Sarah’s favorite parts was seeing the impact of the programs on local families and learning from the amazing library staff. Through this experience, Sarah strengthened her professional skills, grew closer to her community, and gained a deeper appreciation for the important role libraries play in education and lifelong learning.

08/12/2026

Akram Nejjar at Morocco Humanitarian and Community Organization

This summer, senior Bonner Scholar Akram Nejjar had the opportunity to volunteer in Morocco with a local humanitarian and community organization. Throughout the program, he worked with a wide range of people, including children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families in underserved communities. His service included organizing educational and recreational activities for children, participating in environmental awareness campaigns, supporting community outreach initiatives, visiting older adults, and assisting with humanitarian efforts that provided resources and support to vulnerable families.

One of Akram’s favorite memories was seeing the smiles on the children’s faces during the educational and recreational activities. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “Watching them learn, laugh, and gain confidence was incredibly rewarding. Those moments reminded me that even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference, not only in the lives of others but also in our own.” The experience strengthened his commitment to serving others and inspired him to continue making a positive impact wherever he goes.

Akram is sincerely grateful to the Bonner Program for believing in him and providing the opportunity to spend the summer serving others. The experience helped him grow both personally and as a leader while deepening his passion for community service. He describes it as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life and is thankful for the lessons, relationships, and memories he will carry with him long after the summer ended.

08/07/2026

Summer Spotlight: Emmalee Miller at Joy Ministries

This summer, senior Bonner Scholar Emmalee served at Joy Ministries, a crisis resource center that provides food, clothing, housing, and other basic necessities to individuals and families in need.

Throughout the summer, Emmalee assisted with a variety of responsibilities, including stocking shelves, organizing donated items, helping at the front desk, preparing supplies for residents, and supporting families living in Joy Ministries’ housing units. She also spent time building relationships with residents by simply being present, spending time with them, and helping create a welcoming community.

Emmalee is currently employed with the 21st Century Community Learning Center program as the Afterschool Coordinator at Adair County Elementary School. One of the most meaningful aspects of her summer experience was discovering connections between her work at Joy Ministries and her role with the 21st Century program. This experience gave her a deeper understanding of the challenges some families face outside the classroom and reinforced the importance of addressing students’ basic needs alongside their educational success. She also appreciated the close-knit nature of Columbia, where community members know and support one another in ways that reminded her of the power of strong local relationships.

One of Emmalee’s favorite memories was helping prepare for a community carnival that provided children with hygiene items, toys, and other essentials, along with fun treats they may not regularly have access to, such as cotton candy. Knowing that the children she worked with would leave with resources they needed made the experience especially meaningful. Through her time at Joy Ministries, Emmalee witnessed firsthand how meeting basic needs can build stronger, healthier communities and help bridge gaps for local families. She knows these experiences will stay with her as she continues her career in education and pursues her goal of becoming a special education teacher.

08/06/2026

Summer Spotlight: Aspen at Versailles Police Department

This summer, Aspen split her time between serving at Versailles Police Department and the Woodford County Victim Services office, gaining a unique perspective on both local government and community advocacy. At City Hall, she worked in a clerical role by organizing files, managing bill payments, and helping coordinate community events like the county fair, a local 5K race, and the Country Festival. She also spent time with the local senior center, delivering meals, making home visits, and building meaningful relationships with older adults in the community.

At the Victim Services office, Aspen stepped into an experience unlike anything she had encountered before. She attended court proceedings involving domestic disputes, child abuse, and parental custody cases while helping contact victims with important information about resources, attorneys, and upcoming court dates. The experience gave her a deeper understanding of the challenges many people in her own community face. She reflected that while Versailles often appears quaint, her service opened her eyes to the hidden struggles that many families endure, leaving her wondering how many students she grew up with had experienced similar hardships.

One of Aspen’s most meaningful memories came from the relationship she built with her site supervisor, Ellie. On the anniversary of Ellie’s husband’s passing, Aspen simply showed up to spend the day with her, a reminder that service is often found in being present for others. She also treasured the daily visits with an elderly woman who eagerly awaited her morning food deliveries. Looking back on the summer, Aspen described the experience as incredibly eye-opening. It not only broadened her understanding of her community but also introduced her to new career possibilities, meaningful professional connections, and opportunities to learn alongside her father, who serves as a detective.

08/05/2026

Summer Spotlight: Vivian Gemmill at Metcalfe County Elementary School

This summer, sophomore Bonner Scholar Vivian served at the Metcalfe County Elementary Summer School Program, supporting nearly 100 rising first through fifth grade students through a variety of engaging learning experiences. Each morning, she led activities in the gym before assisting in the classroom with reading and math. Students explored topics like the American Revolution in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, practiced math through creative activities like baking cupcakes, and built life skills during cooking class by making tortilla pizzas. Afternoons were filled with hands-on enrichment activities that kept learning fun all summer long.
Throughout the program, Vivian had the opportunity to step into the role of teacher, leading the classroom on several occasions. She grew tremendously in her confidence as an authority figure, developing her “teacher voice” and learning classroom management strategies from experienced educators, including when a whistle comes in handy! While she’s always felt comfortable working one-on-one with students, this summer challenged her to confidently lead an entire classroom. It also helped confirm that her passion lies with older students, affirming her goal of becoming a middle school teacher.

Some of Vivian’s favorite memories came from the relationships she built with her students. She loved seeing their unique personalities shine each day and especially cherished the connection she formed with a student with special needs, whose request for a hug and the group hug that followed a game of dodgeball became a moment she’ll never forget. Every day brought new challenges and new opportunities to learn, and Vivian is proud of how she embraced each experience, leaving the summer even more confident in her future as an educator.

08/04/2026

Summer Spotlight: Makaylah at Adair County Elementary School

This summer, senior Bonner Scholar Makaylah returned for her second Summer of Service, serving at the Adair County Elementary School Summer School Program. Throughout the program, she led lessons in reading, math, science, and specials while supervising an AmeriCorps volunteer. Students participated in themed weeks like “Sew Much Fun” and “Dirt Week,” where they learned through hands-on activities such as making pillows, growing grass seeds, and exploring science through experiential learning, an approach that reflects the Bonner commitment to learning through service and engagement.

As the summer progressed, Makaylah strengthened her classroom management skills while learning how to balance structure with fun. The experience also affirmed her career goals, giving her greater confidence that working in education is the right path for her. She especially enjoyed serving as a mentor to her students, building meaningful relationships throughout the summer. One connection that stood out was with a student who was often hesitant to engage with others. Through patience and consistency, Makaylah worked intentionally to help her feel more comfortable and included.

Some of Makaylah’s favorite memories came from embracing the joy of childhood alongside her students, especially the day she made slime with the entire class. She also learned one unforgettable lesson: if you ever visit a cow farm, wear a mask! After spending her first Summer of Service at a food pantry and soup kitchen, this year’s experience gave Makaylah an even deeper appreciation for education, mentorship, and the impact of creating meaningful learning experiences for young students.

08/03/2026

Summer Spotlight: Collin & Hailey at Adair County Middle School

This summer, senior Bonner Scholar Collin Pike and junior Bonner Scholar Hailey Jessie served at Adair County Middle School’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program. These programs run during the summer, at no cost to families, and focus on academic enrichment, literacy, and engaging activities.
Collin spent the summer in the reading classroom, where students worked on writing their own books. Through the experience, he developed stronger classroom management skills, learning when and how to redirect students while applying strategies from his coursework. His favorite part of the summer was getting to know each student’s unique personality and building meaningful relationships, especially while working with several students with special needs.

Hailey served in the STEM classroom, where she helped facilitate engaging, hands-on learning experiences, including learning about 3D printing, and she even jumped in to teach students volleyball. Throughout the summer, she experienced tremendous growth in patience and learned the importance of balancing encouragement with structure, recognizing when students needed grace and when they needed accountability.

Their supervisor, Angie, shared that she “couldn’t have done it without the Bonner Scholars” as she prepares for retirement this year. She reflected on how both Collin and Hailey have grown in their ability to assess situations, better understand students’ home lives, and respond with empathy while still maintaining expectations. From discovering new ways to connect with students to helping prepare them for the school year ahead, Collin and Hailey made a lasting impact on the Adair County Middle School community this summer.

07/29/2026

Summer Spotlight: Addie Bennett at Adair County Primary Center Summer School Program

This summer, sophomore Bonner Scholar Addie Bennett served at the Adair County Primary Center Summer School Program, stepping in wherever she was needed to support students and staff. Whether she was scanning books in the library, supervising morning drop-off, helping during lunch, assisting professionals in the classroom, or providing one-on-one support for students, no two days looked the same. Her flexibility allowed her to experience many different aspects of the school while making a meaningful impact on the students she served.

Throughout the summer, Addie grew in her ability to communicate with younger children, particularly preschool students, an age group she doesn’t typically work with during the school year. She also strengthened her time management skills as she adapted to the more flexible pace of a summer program. One of her favorite parts of the experience was seeing familiar faces from Camp Casey while also meeting new students and building relationships with them, reminding her that the connections she forms truly make a difference.

Some of her favorite memories came from the little moments that made every day unique, from the chaos of a field trip to Dairy Queen to listening as second graders enthusiastically teach her all about Corvettes. This summer gave Addie a deeper understanding of her service site and the opportunity to build stronger relationships with both students and staff. Through every new challenge and unexpected moment, she discovered that service at the Primary Center is never the same twice, and that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding.

Address

210 Lindsey Wilson Street
Columbia, KY
42728

Telephone

+12703848065

Website

http://www.lindsey.edu/bonner

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