The PTHS class of 2012 will receive scholarships and KEES awards totaling over $4.4 million dollars as they attend 30 different institutions of high learning all across the country. College scholarships that have been accepted, along with other academic recognitions, were announced at Senior Honors Night at PTHS on May 15.

The class of 2012 received scholarships from 45 organizations, clubs, private individuals and colleges. You can see a complete list of scholarships recipients here.

PTHS departmental and academic awards in 21 categories were also announced at Senior Honors Night. Senior Chandler Smith received the School Service Award. Seniors Courtney Hawkins and Zachary Winfield received the American Legion Citizen award. You can see the complete list of departmental awards here.

The PTHS baseball team will be holding a lunch-time fundraiser. Baseball boosters will be delivering boxed lunches from Whaler's Catch on Monday, May 21. 

Lunches include 1/2 BBQ chicken, pork and beans, potato salad, and water at the cost of $10 per lunch.  Order deadline is May 18. See the order form here for more information.

The Kentucky High School Journalism Association has released the results of their 2011-12 High School Journalism Contest and 
Paducah Tilghman's newspaper, The Bell, claimed the General Excellence-2nd Place Award from among the commonwealth's 2A high school newspapers. Paducah Tilghman, Graves County and Ballard County were all among the schools recognized from among the 93 member schools.

Tilghman's Megan Cantwell and Avery Harriman received first place individual awards in Column Writing.  They were backed up by fellow Bell columnist, Chandler Smith, who received second place for Column Writing. 

Tilghman writer Mackenzie Bruce earned second in the Reviews category.  Third place awards went to Emilee Ayers and Amber Hussain for Overall Newspaper Design, to Amber Hussain for Newswriting, to Zachary Winfield for Editorial Cartoon and Emilee Ayers for Page One Design. 

Mrs. Susan Hancock is journalism teacher and sponsor of The Bell. 

The goal of the Kentucky High School Journalism Association is to bring together students and advisers from high schools across Kentucky with news media professionals and university personnel.  The Association is headquartered in Frankfort.  David T. Thompson of the Kentucky Press Association/ Kentucky Journalism Foundation is the Executive Director.

Congratulations to the PTHS tennis team for placing 2nd in Regionals.  Alek Rowton, Brock Sigler, Victoria Potter, and Katie Paxton have advanced to the state tournament, which will be held May 17-19 at Lexington, Kentucky.

Paducah Tilghman senior Blake Kettler signed a baseball scholarship with Mid-Continent University at PTHS on May 7.

Kettler has been a member of the Tilghman varsity baseball team for five years, and has been a starter for four years. He is primarily a catcher, but has also pitched, played infield, and played outfield.

"Blake is a hard worker and he has become a good defensive catcher," said PTHS head baseball coach Mickey Holland. "We are glad he will have this opportunity at MCU to develop his skills and continue his education."

Mid-Continent University, located near Mayfield, Kentucky, is a member of the Transouth Athletic Conference, the NAIA, and NCCAA. This year the Cougars tied the program record for wins in a single season and advanced to the NCCAA Mid-East Region title game.

"Blake is a catcher with a lot of upside," said Mid-Continent head baseball coach Shawn Yarbrough. "We believe in the right system he can polish off his offensive skills, and that will pay off in playing time. Hopefully, his hard work will pay dividends down the road."

You can see pictures from the signing here.