Calloway County High School senior Safiah Hassan has been fighting stereotypes about her religion and culture most of her life. She grew up in the county, but practices Islam. She wears a hijab, a head covering worn by many Muslim women, and usually matches her scarf for each outfit. Though it’s difficult, dealing with diversity has made her a stronger and more mature person, she said.

Hassan is the Mid-Continent University Teen of the Week. She plans to study biology when she goes to college and then go to medical school. Her top two college choices are University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt University. If she makes a good enough score on her Advanced Placement Spanish exam, she might pick up Spanish as a second major.

Recess time cut due

to instructional requirements

For some students in local schools, recess is much shorter than their parents remember.

The Kentucky Department of Education started a new system of learning this year, called Senate Bill 1. Because of the focus on success, teachers feel the pressure to get as much learning time in a day as possible. That sometimes has to come from recess.

Kids do better when they have time to move during the day, Jan Godwin said. Godwin, Clark Elementary School gym teacher, said young students have a lot of energy to burn. When they can exercise and get back to class, their focus is better. Some teachers, like Misty Stanley at Lone Oak Middle School, encourage activity during the day. Her students sit on activity balls during class and stay active in co-teaching practices Stanley uses.

Art program offers new experiences

Kids who attend the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club have a new mentor. Artists with the Paducah Art Alliance are working with young men and women to give them a new appreciation for art.

So far, they’ve worked on projects like crocheting and clay working.The student and artist mentor pairs meet once a week to work on their projects.

Kids can choose from painting, ceramics, drawing, fiber arts and fashion design. They get to take their work home with them to remember their artistic experience.