PIKEVILLE — They travel to faraway places, study everything from chemistry to creative writing, sharpen their technology skills and prepare for college. These high school sophomores, juniors and seniors are among the best and brightest and part of an exciting social network known as Booth Scholars.

The Booth Scholars Program at Pikeville College, which began in the summer of 2001, recently welcomed scholars to campus for the two-week residential component of the program.

The Booth Scholars Program was developed to assist academically promising youth in specific regions of Appalachia as they prepare for college. Open to students from Pike County and Grundy, Va., scholars are selected during the spring of their eighth-grade year and take part in the program throughout high school and into college.

Scholars experience a diverse curriculum and a wide range of enrichment experiences, in addition to mentoring, scholarship assistance and technology-based educational opportunities. This summer, their time in the classroom is an inspiring mix of the best a liberal arts education has to offer, with classes in calculus, anatomy, leadership, creative writing, advanced computers, digital photography and dance.

Since its inception, the program has seen tremendous success. The average ACT composite score for high school senior scholars is consistently above local, state and national levels. All of the scholars who have completed the program have matriculated into colleges across the eastern United States. Additionally, 85% of the former scholars who are college seniors have successfully applied for graduate school admission.

The program was envisioned as a way of encouraging students to dream big, develop their talents and gain the skills and self-confidence to compete with students anywhere in the world.

In addition to Pikeville College, Booth Scholars are attending such schools as the University of Kentucky, Centre College, the University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, Drexel University, Asbury College and Belmont University.

The Booth Scholars Program at Pikeville College is made possible by the vision and generosity of Alex E. Booth, Jr., a native of Wayne County, W.Va., and a graduate of the University of Chicago. Booth, a successful businessman, has served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Pikeville College for more than a decade. The Booth Scholars Program enhances learning and helps students meet the challenges of an increasingly technological society.