Craft Academy celebrates Class of 2026 and a decade of success
Morehead State University's Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics hosted its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 on Saturday, May 9.
"The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics has had another very strong year," MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan said. "We have steadily grown the Academy over the past couple of years, both in numbers and in stature and recognition."
The Academy recognized 65 students representing 40 counties across the Commonwealth of Kentucky at the ceremony. Craft Academy graduates will attend 20 different colleges and universities across the United States, including 16 students who will enroll at MSU:
- Jillian Adams of Scott County, Morehead State University
- Jennilee Barnett of Montgomery County, Sociology, Centre College
- Chasity Bartsch of Greenup County, Nursing, Morehead State University
- Stephanie Begley of Wolfe County, Morehead State University
- Daisy Bentley of Lewis County, Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Erhardt Bentz of Greenup County, University of Kentucky
- Joshua Berry of Mason County, Centre College
- Thomas Bolin of Estill County, Business Administration & Risk Management, Eastern Kentucky University
- Jayden Bradley of Perry County, Nursing, University of Louisville
- Andrew Briggs of Fayette County, Mathematics, University of Kentucky
- Kyah Brinegar of Madison County, Nursing, Eastern Kentucky University
- Natalie Brooks of Wolfe County, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Centre College
- Gracie Burdette of Rockcastle County, Centre College
- Janaye Burton of Rockcastle County, Psychology, University of Cincinnati
- Katie Call of Rowan County, Nursing, Morehead State University
- Jaiyah Cameron of Warren County, Western Kentucky University
- Alana Campbell of Montgomery County, Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cincinnati
- Declan Carroll of Bullitt County, University of Louisville
- Amelia Colinger of Harlan County, Nursing, Morehead State University
- Gillian Collins of Fayette County, George Washington University
- Cameron Combs of Jackson County, Music Education, Eastern Kentucky University
- Natalee Combs of Breathitt County, Kinesiology, Transylvania University
- Jacob Cooper of Madison County, University of Kentucky
- Tyson Cornett of Harlan County, Legal Studies – Pre-Law, Morehead State University
- Wyatt Dalrymple of Powell County, Computer Science, Morehead State University
- Noah Day of Jessamine County, Electrical Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Mariana De La Hoya Trejo of Whitley County, Nursing, Western Kentucky University
- Chloe Dowse of Jackson County, Nursing, University of Louisville
- Isabella Eerenberg of Boyd County, Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University
- Isabella Endicott of Morgan County, Sociology, Centre College
- Chloe Eubanks of Fayette County, Elementary Education, Eastern Kentucky University
- Wesley Francis of Perry County, University of Kentucky
- Danielle Franklin of Harrison County, Mechanical Engineering, Marshall University
- Emily Goins of Knott County, Morehead State University
- Kyndra Gray of Knox County, Geologic Sciences, Morehead State University
- Charles Gunn of Jefferson County, Boston College
- Lucas Howard of Perry County, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
- Skylar Hu of Pike County, University of Kentucky
- Cayden Hudson of Owsley County, Accounting, Morehead State University
- Nathanael Italiano of Boone County, Mining Engineering, University of Kentucky
- Megan James of Magoffin County, Aerospace Engineering, University of Kentucky
- Brayden Johnson of Madison County, University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Leah Johnson of Scott County, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
- Faith Jolly of Mason County, Social Work, University of Kentucky
- Diego Juan-Lopez of Fayette County, University of Kentucky
- Solomon Justice of Carter County, Morehead State University
- Apaar Kabra of Lincoln County, University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Karson Kerr of Boyle County, University of Louisville
- Ellis Kidwell of Carter County, Mechanical Engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point
- Austin Klein of Bullitt County, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
- Ruby Korman of Jefferson County, Aero/Astronautical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Bryant Lewis of Washington County, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)
- Lauren Lindquist of Bullitt County, Biochemistry, University of Louisville
- Sara Martin of Montgomery County, Nursing, Bluegrass Community and Technical College
- Zarah Martin of Menifee County, Nursing, Morehead State University
- Lucy McClung of Fayette County, Biochemistry & Spanish, Denison University
- Hayden Monroe of Harrison County, Social Work, Morehead State University
- Gracie Mudd of Grayson County, Nursing, Western Kentucky University
- Madison Mullins of Knott County, Morehead State University
- Hannah O'Brien of Pendleton County, Morehead State University
- Marshall Oliver of Anderson County, University of Kentucky
- Heather Ott of Bath County, CGS (Undecided), Boston University
- Jessica Pham of Pike County, The College of Wooster
- Kaylee Pionk of Rowan County, Eastern Kentucky University
- Timothy Powers of Letcher County, Pre-Physical Therapy, Morehead State University
Dr. Joseph W. Craft III of Lexington, president and CEO of Alliance Resource Partners LP, was the guest speaker at this year's graduation ceremony. He and his wife, Ambassador Kelly Craft, are co-founders of the Craft Academy. Initially pledging $4 million to establish the Academy in 2015, it is the single largest cash gift in the history of the University. This year, the Class of 2026 stands as the 10th graduating class for the Craft Academy.
"Craft Academy is the first step in becoming the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, as well as medical, dental, mental health fields and many more areas you're going to share your talents and be a leader for the state of Kentucky," Craft said. "As I said last year, and I believe it more today, this time in your life is an opportune time for seeing transformational change. I can't underestimate the importance of what you're getting ready to do and pursue with your next chapter of your life."
The Craft Academy graduation speaker was Ruby Korman. She is the daughter of Rebecca Neals, Kurtis Neels and Jeffrey Korman.
Korman will be studying aerospace engineering with a focus on rocket propulsion systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the fall.
"To the class of 2026, I can't believe we are already here, standing in the room where it all began for one last time as students," Korman said. "When we entered this room, we were nervous, tentatively thinking about the future ahead of us. Since then, we have been lab partners and study buddies, crash-out pals and friends...together, we are imagining a brighter future, inventing solutions to get us there and impacting our communities along the way."
The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics is a dual-credit academy for academically exceptional Kentucky students. Craft Academy provides students with a postsecondary residential experience to complete their junior and senior high school years by enrolling in college courses. The Craft Academy aims to meet the unique educational needs of the Commonwealth's academically gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors. The academic rigor of the Craft Academy challenges students to excel at their highest level through project-based STEM+X courses and hands-on learning experiences that emphasize innovation, design, and creativity, as well as civic and regional engagement.
For more information on the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics, contact 606-783-9025 or email craftacademy@moreheadstate.edu.
