Laurel County Public Schools Center For Innovation

Meet our new Health Science Instructor!

We are excited here at CFI to bring back strategies that will help staff feel valued, connected, and supported while creating opportunities for students to lead, grow, and thrive. Small actions can create a lasting impact, and together we can continue building a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and important. Look at our counselor, Brandi Anderson, and our NJROTC instructor, Chief Mark Acampa, spending their summer learning! Way to AIM high!

WE SEE YOU, WE HEAR YOU, & WE LOVE YOU!

We want to give a big shoutout to our students from the Media Arts program who worked on the livestreams for both North and South Laurels graduation. It is always one of the biggest productions of the year and we are so grateful to give our students an opportunity to put their skills to practice. Great job to our crew! If you want to catch the replays , head on over to our YouTube channel .

It's the last day of school, and it's the last chance to show off our students' work for the year. Our Media Arts students just finished their last episode, The Compass, for the year, and we are happy to share it with you here:

The Compass Episode 8, 5-20-26 On this final episode of the Compass for the 2025-2026 school year,...

We were excited to drop off the supplies we gathered as part of the “Pay It Forward” service project Laurel County Public Schools launched in remembrance of the May 16th tornado from last year. Our students and staff gathered supplies for Isaiah 58:10 Ministries & Outreach and their sack lunch program. Last month, Isaiah 58:10 provided more than 5000 sacks lunches to folks in need in Laurel and our surrounding counties. We want to thank Tracie Byers and Betty Boggs for the tour of their facility and the opportunity to learn more about how they support our community.

🕰️TIME IS RUNNING OUT🕰️

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will close one week from today, on May 21, 2026. Students can submit applications for next year until the last day of school. Please note that some of our programs are already on waiting lists. Please encourage your students North Laurel High School and South Laurel High School who are considering applying to make that decision soon.

🌟 SHINING STAR SPOTLIGHT 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that our Shining Star Staffulty for April 2026 is none other than Hunter Hampton!

Hunter is a vital part of our school family, working tirelessly to maintain our grounds and ensure our students and staff have a beautiful, clean space to succeed every single day.

This month’s nomination is extra special—Hunter was nominated by his fellow custodian (and proud mom!), Veronica Hampton. We love seeing this teamwork and dedication in action!

Please join us in the comments in thanking Hunter for everything he does for our school! 🏆🧹✨

We want to congratulate CFI Engineering and South Laurel High School Senior Jacob Fields on being named a Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholar. Congratulations, Jacob, on this incredible achievement!

Here's some more information from the Foundation:

Press Release

May 2026

The Lighthouse Beacon Foundation is proud to welcome its newest class of Lighthouse Beacon Scholars!

Founded by Stanley and Karen Pigman, the Lighthouse Beacon Foundation was created to help students across Eastern Kentucky gain access to higher education opportunities, particularly in STEM fields. Stanley, a Knott County native and graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, often shares how receiving a scholarship to study mining engineering changed the trajectory of his life. Through the foundation, Stanley and Karen are committed to providing that same opportunity, encouragement, and support to students throughout the region.

Lighthouse Beacon Scholars attend the University of Kentucky to pursue degrees in engineering and related STEM fields. Today, more than 160 scholars are part of the program, with the number continuing to grow each year as the foundation expands its investment in students across Eastern Kentucky. The foundation’s mission extends far beyond financial support. Lighthouse Beacon Scholars are connected with mentors, leadership development opportunities, study abroad experiences, and a strong network of encouragement that continues throughout their college journey. At its core, the Lighthouse Beacon Foundation is committed to building lasting relationships with students and helping them succeed not only in college, but in life.

Recipients are chosen not only for academic achievement, but also for their leadership, work ethic, and commitment to their communities.

The Lighthouse Beacon Foundation is proud to recognize the following students as the newest Lighthouse Beacon Scholars:

Eric Pond — Blazer High School
Braydon Watts — Blazer High School
Tristan Campbell — Boyd County High School
Randa McGuire — East Carter High School
Landon Alexander — East Carter High School
Cross Remy — Greenup County High School
Ethan Lewis — Harlan County High School
Shania Middleton — Harlan County High School
Elijiah Moore — Harlan County High School
Kylee Hoiska — Harlan County High School
William Henrikson — Jenkins Independent
Travis Eldridge — Johnson Central High School
Elijiah Pelton — Johnson Central High School
Paris Short — Johnson Central High School
Braden Smith — Knott County Central High School
Kelsie Huff — Knott County Central High School
Jacob Fields — Laurel Center for Innovation
Abigail Osborn — Martin County High School
Gavin Doughtry — North Laurel High School
Masten Kidd- Pikeville Independent
Ian Blackburn- Pikeville Independent
Cooper Spears — Pulaski County High School
Marlei Devore - Russell County High School
Jason Elswick — Shelby Valley High School
Ethan Hatter — Southwestern High School
Noah Meadors — Whitley County High School

“This scholarship has always been about more than helping students get to college,” said Kelsey Tackett, Director of Appalachian Engagement for the Lighthouse Beacon Foundation. “It’s about making sure they have support, encouragement, and people in their corner once they get there.” For Stanley and Karen Pigman, the mission of the Foundation has always been personal. Their hope is that students from Eastern Kentucky know they have people who believe in them, invest in their future, and want to see them succeed.

For more information about The Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholarship and the Lighthouse Beacon Scholars Program, visit www.lighthousebeaconfoundation.org or contact Melissa Tomblin at 859.317.2829.

About The Lighthouse Beacon Foundation

The Lighthouse Beacon Foundation supports educational opportunities for students across Eastern Kentucky through scholarships, mentorship, leadership experiences, and STEM education initiatives.