Alumni Achievements

Our Learning Center! students go on to do great things. In our nearly 30 years in the Murphy area, we have seen many talented and gifted students graduate and become productive individuals--many returning to give back to our community. We'd like to share our alumni achievers with you and check back as we add more to this growing list.

Courtney Keener holds her first place entry, "Feather in the Wind" on the steps of the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada Colorado.

Keener awarded first place in photo contest

A former Murphy, NC resident and Learning Center! student Courtney Keener won a first-place prize for her entry in a county-wide photo contest. Keener, 16, received $500 in the “Life in Our Parks” photo contest in Jefferson County, Colorado. Her entry, called "Feather in the Wind," was entered in the youth class division (17 and under) in the category “Spectacular Scenery.”

Keener's photo was one of 351 submitted by 190 people in the first-ever photo competition sponsored by the private, nonprofit Open Space Parks Foundation. All of the photos had to be made in one of Jefferson County, Colorado’s 24 open space parks.

Courtney grew up in Murphy, NC before moving to Evergreen, Colorado in 2010. She is a former Learning Center! student and attended her first year of high school at Tri-County Early College High School. She took a digital photography class at Evergreen High School, and was encouraged to enter the contest by her teacher. She took first place in the youth class for her photo of a red feather she found in the snow in Alderfer-Three Sisters Park. Keener used a Canon EOS.

The reception for the winners hosted by the city of Arvada and the Jeffco Open Space Foundation at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

When asked about her inspiration for the photo, Keener replied, "I thought about wanting to get the light coming through the feather. Also, I wanted to create some nice diagonals. The sky is in one direction and the snow line in another direction." At the moment she is interested in photographing "fashion … people, emotions and expressions," she said.

Ferguson wins first place in Adeline Idol contest

Stephanie Ferguson, a junior at Andrews High School and former Learning Center! student was the first place winner of the “Adeline Idol” contest. The contest was held at The Clegg Auditorium at Young Harris College as part of the annual Smokie Mountain Melodies show. The contest, held in May, was sponsored by the Smokie Mountain Melodies chorus and Sweet Adeline group for the purpose of showing support to young adults who pursue their passion for music.

Ferguson, who also received a $400 cash prize, sings soprano with the Andrews High School chorus under Choral Director, Kim Cozart. Choral directors from local (NC and GA) high schools were asked to nominate one female student to audition for Adeline Idol. This is the first year Andrews High School sent a student candidate to the competition.

Stephanie prefers to sing gospel music and chose the gospel tune, “Washed by the Water” for her audition. Her other interests are playing soccer and drawing. “We are so proud of Stephanie,” said Mary Jo Dyre, director of The Learning Center! charter school where Stephanie attended elementary school, “so many of our alumni go on to do great things and we know she will be successful in any venture she pursues.”

Stephanie is the daughter of Bob and Pat Ferguson, of Marble, NC. After high school graduation, Stephanie plans to attend a four year college. When asked about her long-term plans, Stephanie replied, “My ultimate goal is to become a missionary for the Gospel of Christ.”