Steve Kimberling Youth Leadership in School Safety
Award Winners

Steve Kimberling Youth Leadership in School Safety Award Winners

The Youth Leadership in School Safety Award was established in loving memory of a great friend and state leader in school safety and dropout prevention…Steve Kimberling. Steve was known far and wide as being passionate about school safety.  He has left a great legacy for all of us to follow in making schools safer for our precious children.

 Steve believed in the connectivity of teachers and students.  He believed that the climate and culture of the school environment was the most important element.  He would say, “if the kids don’t feel safe…not much learning is going to take place.” 

 To that end, the Kentucky Center for School Safety, in partnership with the Kentucky School Boards Association, established the Steve Kimberling Youth Leadership in School Safety Award.  This award is given to a school that demonstrates an exemplary model of teachers and students who work together in making the school environment safer.

 The Steve Kimberling Youth Leadership in School Safety Award was awarded to South Oldham High School's newspaper (The Dragon Tale).  The Dragon's Tale, was previously named the Grand Champion by the Kentucky High School Journalism Association and is known for tackling controversial and difficult issues; promoting a wide variety of topics directly affecting  the emotional and physical safety of their school. 

 Dan Orman, Assistant Supt. of Oldham County Schools, received an email from last year’s editor asking about examples of drug and alcohol abuse and their collective impact in the Oldham County community. Dan invited the editorial staff to join him for a morning in District Court and a bonus tour of the Oldham County Jail. The “staff members” embraced the day, interviewing judges, lawyers, and even attempted to interview an inmate or two!

This year’s editor, Lauren Moore, and the Dragon’s Tale editorial staff, personify the dedication of the Dragon’s Tale writers in volunteering to tackle controversial topics. The sponsor, Ms. Cindi Reedy, is the leader of this crew and makes it all go. She has always worked hard to teach students to be leaders among their peers and take on the tough assignments, not just to go through the motions of each day and each story just to fill the next edition.

Just some of the topics they have addressed in their newspaper included teen suicide, drug and alcohol intervention, childhood cancer awareness, and mentoring programs.

These stories have covered activities, programs and conversations that promote youth empowerment, safety, and a positive school culture.  Below are some highlighted stories:

• It’s a Small World – Story promoting a comfortable transition for foreign exchange students at South Oldham High School
• A Silent Epidemic – A very touching and poignant piece on the perils of teen suicide and efforts to fight the very disturbing trend in our society
• Drugs Destroy School Careers – Drug/alcohol intervention initiative in Oldham County Schools
• Underclass LINKed to Upperclass – Mentoring program between older students and incoming freshmen; building relationships for successful transition from middle school to South Oldham High School

Steve Kimberling’s wife, Vicki and daughter, Heather were in attendance to present this year’s award to these fine young journalist and their sponsor.

2010 Steve Kimberling Youth Leadership in School Safety Award Winners