Published: October 01, 2008 04:18 pm      

Youth Fest a success

Oct. 1, 2008 — Main Street /Renaissance Board of Directors realize the importance of recognizing the youth of our county. Our youth have much to offer and this event is designed for the entire county to set aside two days to truly celebrate and honor them.

While planning both days’ events, the MS/R Youth Fest Planning Committee attempted to include a wide array of events so that every child’s interest was included. Saturday was full of events which included sporting, such as a basketball shootout, football throw, volleyball and cornhole games. Jonathon Stamper, son of Glen and Sherry Stamper of Olive Hill, hosted the football throw and Basketball shootout. Amy Cline, daughter of Terry and Judi Cline of Olive Hill, hosted the Volleyball event. Cornhole games were organized and hosted by Cody Stamper, son of Glen and Sherry Stamper of Olive Hill. The Remote Control Car & Truck Show was organized and hosted by Will Easterling and Hunter Easterling, sons of Shane and Lisa Easterling of Olive Hill. The pet show was organized and hosted by Kristen Brown, the daughter of Craig and Teresa Brown of Olive Hill.

Shannon Boggs, representing Hidden Treasures owned by Rhonda and Mark Boggs of Olive Hill, organized and hosted the Re-fashion show that featured local youth modeling fashions from Hidden Treasures of Olive Hill and Janie’s Hair Salon of Grayson. The models for this event were Breannon Boggs, daughter of Brent and Shannon Boggs of Olive Hill; Addison Burchett, Hadley Burchett and Chesney Burchett, daughters of Mike and Tara Burchett of Olive Hill; Kenzie Duncan, daughter of Jared and Tammy Duncan of Olive Hill; Reese Raybourn, daughter of Anthony and Julie Raybourn of Olive Hill; Mika McGlone, Miracle McGlone, Zarah Mollet and Jacqueline Burton, in care of and the daughters of David and Carolyn Mollett of Olive Hill; Stephanie Middleton, daughter of Gene and Barb Middleton of Olive Hill; Tasha Oney, daughter of Bud & Evelyn Oney of Olive Hill; and Montana Webb, daughter of Kenny Webb and Mary Lawhorn of Olive Hill.

The “Carter County’s Got Talent!” talent show was organized and hosted by Teresa Brown, vice-president of the Olive Hill Main Street Renaissance Board of Directors. Spectators at the talent show were honored with a very special guest appearance made by Carter County’s own Abigail Stanley, 2008 Ms. Pre-Teen Kentucky. Abigail is the daughter of Randy and Lynn Stanley of Grayson. Abigail shared words of inspiration to the youth and spectators in attendance and later on treated the audience with the performance that helped her gain the 2008 Ms. Preteen Kentucky Title.

Ms. Marti Porter, Assistant Executive Director of the Olive Hill Public Library was on hand to issue library cards, free books and to share information about upcoming programs that are scheduled through the library.

The Olive Hill Main Street/Renaissance Organization provided information about the programs offered through the organization and displayed artwork created by youth artist, Sarah Porter of Olive Hill. They provided free fingerprinting for the Child I-dent program, and distributed ball caps that were donated by the Carter County Drug Task Force and provided information about the Carter County Rails to Trails program.

The Olive Hill Fire Department provided their Fire Safety House for the youth to tour and provided firemen’s badges to each visitor.

Nicole Perry and workers from McDonalds of Olive Hill provided a craft booth for children to enjoy throughout the day.

Youth volunteer, Meagan Porter, daughter of Scott Porter and Teresa Horton of Davey’s Run, spent the day keeping children entertained as they enjoyed the Velcro Bouncy Inflatable that was provided by Brandon Hamilton, owner of New Heights, Inc. of Olive Hill.

One of the highlights of the day was a special demonstration provided by Allen Wilson and students of Wilson’s Martial Arts of Olive Hill. Students of Wilson’s Martial Arts included Cory McGlone, Tara James, Elijah Prezioso, Kaden Wilson, Emmanuel Picasso, Hunter Perry and Jacob Richmond. The moderator of the demonstration was Johnny Erwin of Olive Hill.

Michael Porter of Grahn was the photographer and videographer for both days’ events. Michael also taught the Bicycle Safety Course for the children and held a drawing for the bicycle given away. The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post #138 of Olive Hill donated the bicycle.

Concessions for Saturday’s events were organized by Louise Stapleton, treasurer for the Olive Hill Main Street/Renaissance Organization and operated by Maggie (Mickey) Duncan of Olive Hill, representing James Chapel Church, and Lisa Easterling, representing the Carter County Homemakers.

Other youth volunteers that donated their time during the 2008 Youth Fest include Jaymi Porter, Zach Turner and Will Turner, children of Jay and Marti Porter; Sabrina Royal, daughter of Kevin Royal of Olive Hill.

Sunday was an inspirational day for all in attendance at the Youth Quake services at the JA “ Skinny” Raybourn Park. Inspiring devotional speakers included Rob Baier representing the Three Pines Freewill Baptist Church in Olive Hill, Chris Binion and Travis Cline, representing the First Baptist Church in Olive Hill.

Special singing was provided by Sisters in Grace, Audria Johnston, Amamda Baier, Andrea Mayo and Michelle Gilbert, representing Three Pines Freewill Baptist Church, Angie Johnson of Olive Hill, and Jennifer, Madison and Tim Harris from the First Baptist Church in Olive Hill. Brother Ashley Kidd’s Youth Group from the Upper Tygart Freewill Baptist Church made a special appearance and provided truly inspirational songs of faith for all to enjoy.

Brother Mark Lilly, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Olive Hill organized and offered a puppet show followed by a puppet-making workshop for children to create their very own puppet to take home with them.

Steve Knight was the emcee and DJ for Saturday’s events. Planning committee members would like to give a very special thank you to John Nichols of Olive Hill. John donated much time and energy in getting both days’ events set up for operation.

Main Street/Renaissance would like to thank the public for attending at this year’s event. They are also asking that you stop by, call or send a card to the following businesses and individuals to specially thank them for their generous sponsorships which made the 2008 Youth fest event possible: Wilson’s Martial Arts, the Commercial Bank, New Heights, Craig’s Auto Sales, WGOH/WUGO Radio, the First National Bank, Fishers Auto Sales, Olive Hill Trucking, Sheriff Kevin McDavid, Mike Johnston, Porter Tires, Globe Funeral, John Steagall, Robin Webb State Representative, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Sons Of The American Legion, Sloan’s Market, Olive Hill Chamber Of Commerce, McDonalds of Olive Hill, Sloane’s Market of Olive Hill, Olive Hill Area Chamber of Commerce, NEKADA WIA Youth Program, Smith’s IGA, Superior Foods of Olive Hill, Bobby Joe Hedge and Terry Walters, Nicole Johnson, Julie Dailey, Jeremy Bryant and John & Amanda Nichols.

The 2008 Youth Fest Planning Committee members are Jolene Ramey, Brother Mark Lilly, Nicole Perry, Judy Hazelip, Linda Lowe, Kathy Lewis, Louise Stapleton and Pati Porter. These members would like to thank everyone who made this year’s events such a success. We had so much fun at this year’s Youth Fest that we are already looking forward to the 2009 Youth Fest!

Here are the winners of contests offered during the 2008 Youth Fest:

Poetry Contest:

KaLeigh Underwood of Olive Hill and a freshman at West Carter High School was chosen as the winner of the 2008 Youth Fest Poetry Contest. KaLeigh’s winning poem follows:



I Am From…..



By: KaLeigh Underwood

I am cuddling,

From Laughter and hugs,

Kisses, and a place that centers around love.

I am from green fields,

Dirt, and blue skies,

Back roads, sunshine, and endless play time.

I am from a place where hymns are to be taught.

Where you go to church on Sunday,

And the sermon teaches something that can’t be bought.

This is where I’m from. This is who I am.

Born and raised in Olive Hill.

The future in my out stretched hands.



Pet Show:

1st Place-Junior Fisher and his French Poodle, Dolly.

2nd Place-Callie Raybourn and her Cocker Spaniel, Oreo

3rd Place-Zach Turner and his Chihuahua Tango

Talent Show:

Senior Class: 1st Place -Bree Cline

Junior Class: 1st Place-Kristen Brown, 2nd Place-Nicole Dixon, 3rd Place-Paige Hardin

Monster Mash Dance-off Contest: 1st Place-Gabriel Colegrove of Olive Hill, 2nd Place-Kaden Wilson of Olive Hill, 3rd Place-Laryn Roe of Olive Hill

Winners of bicycles given away:

Three bicycles were given away at Saturday’s Youth Fest event with Isabella Messer winning the small girls bike and Tristan Cole winning the boy’s bicycle. Both bikes were provided by Olive Hill’s Main Street/Renaissance organization.

Zach Lawhorn won the bicycle that was donated by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit #138 of Olive Hill.

More Winners will be announced in next week’s Edition of the Olive Hill Times and Grayson Journal.