The Friday Finish - SOAR Summit Connections - CAP Cadets Spotlight - Student Entrepreneurs - "We know someone..." - Kari Honored
- Tim Crawford
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
August 29, 2025
Red Bird Connects at SOAR Summit, Again!
A small contingent of Red Bird Mission staff and Red Bird Christian School students attended the 2025 SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) Summit held in Corbin, Kentucky Wednesday and Thursday. Karla Roberts and Tim Crawford from Red Bird Development staffed a display to share the latest advances at Red Bird and connect with past, current and potential partners.
SOAR is a nonprofit organization serving 54 Kentucky Appalachian counties that grew out of the economic fallout precipitated by the decline of the coal industry in eastern Kentucky. Red Bird became involved in the early years of the SOAR organization as a means of connecting the people in the Red Bird area with job training and economic opportunities. Valuable connections are made in this annual event to increase opportunities for the people Red Bird serves, and Red Bird becomes known in a broader scale for what is being done in our remote mountain communities.
Cadets Spotlighted at SOAR for Second Year
The 801st Squadron of the Red Bird Christian School Civil Air Patrol took the spotlight at the 2025 SOAR Summit in Corbin, Kentucky. A team of five dedicated members, Major Kelton Adams, 2nd Lt Kayla Smith, c/TSgt Aiden Smallwood, c/SSgt Kylie Hunter, and C/A1C Keria Walker, manned the display table on Wednesday with pride and precision, showcasing their skills and knowledge to a wide audience.
The booth buzzed with activity, anchored by the visual appeal of rockets, drones, and radio-controlled aircraft. It wasn't just hardware on display; it was a statement of commitment and capability. The cadets also presented extensive materials about the Civil Air Patrol's cadet programs, sharing insights into youth training, leadership development, and aerospace education.
Summit attendees flocked to the table, eager to learn and engage. Each cadet took turns fielding questions, giving a clear demonstration of their communication skills and dedication. Conversations flowed, sparking interest and raising awareness of the invaluable work being done by the Civil Air Patrol.
The summit wasn't just about showcasing; it was also a chance for the squadron to broaden their horizons through strategic networking. Members toured the summit, dropping by various booths to discuss potential collaborations and glean new insights. A key highlight was their interaction with Jennifer Carter from Morehead State University’s Space Prep program. Discussions centered on a promising partnership that could bolster future educational and training opportunities for both groups.
The 2025 SOAR Summit was a testament to the professionalism and enthusiasm of the 801st Squadron, as they effectively bridged their love for aviation with education and community interaction. Each handshake and conversation laid the groundwork for future endeavors, marking yet another successful mission for the Red Bird Christian School’s proud squadron. Mission accomplished, cadets. Aim high!
Student Entrepreneurs Taste Success
Seven (7) Red Bird Christian School E-STEAM (Economic Science Technology Arts Mathematics) students got a taste of sales and promotion at the 2025 SOAR Summit on Wednesday. Mrs. Melanie Adams, RBCS E-STEAM teacher, worked with the students in advance to prepare some of their t-shirts and flyers for their display table. The RBCS start-up entrepreneurs explored other booths at the exhibition hall, networked with organizations and schools from across the region, and proudly represented RBCS by selling T-shirts they designed and created right in our own classroom.
Haley Weldon summed up her student experience at the SOAR Summit saying, "
This was one of the best things I've ever been to! It was great getting to talk to people about our shirts, and they were so nice and so interested in what we had to say!
“I loved all the displays, too! We got to visit with colleges and different companies. The big "Operation Game" table was really cool."
Events like this show the power of hands-on learning—our students aren’t just gaining skills, they’re learning how to market themselves and their programs while connecting with the wider community. We are so proud of their hard work and creativity!
“We work with Kasey…” - Alumni at SOAR Summit
There are always Red Bird connections that arise at the display table every time Red Bird has the opportunity to participate in events like the SOAR Summit this week. Two ladies walked up and said,
“We know someone that works at Red Bird. We work with Kasey at Goodwill and her mom works at Red Bird!”
“Mom” is Tonya Dickerson-Asher, Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) Business teacher, Dorm Admissions staff and Athletic Director. More importantly, we ran into Kasey Barrett, her daughter, who is also a graduate of RBCS that works in administration with Goodwill Industries in the London-Corbin area. We stood a little taller to know that another young Red Bird graduate is making an impact on our world and spreading the word about Red Bird Christian School.
The annual Homecoming Challenge has opened up and a number have already taken the lead to give online. Take this opportunity to make your one-time or recurring gift today to continue the legacy of Red Bird School forming Christian leaders that impact our world!
Humanitarian Award Bestowed on Kari Collins
SOAR honors people and organizations each year that have made an overall impact and contribution to Eastern Kentucky in various segments of community life. Recently retired Executive Director Kari Collins was awarded the SOAR Humanitarian Award on Wednesday night.
Kari came to Red Bird Mission in the mid 1970’s to volunteer before launching into a career of social work, but she quickly became dedicated to the people served by Red Bird. Her marriage to Red Bird Mission School’s principal, Taylor Collins, deepened her love and advocacy for her new-found home. Kari’s service broadened beyond those early years at Red Bird when she utilized her training as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to work for regional and later on a statewide level for improved mental health. It was natural that she would make herself available to step into the role of Red Bird Mission Executive Director when Taylor suddenly passed away to carry forth their vision of better opportunities for the people served by Red Bird.