A pair of Auburn Middle School students have been successful recently.

Auburn eighth grader Sarah Cassady has been named a 2015 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholar. Sarah was one of 70 students from across the country chosen for this honor out of over 1,000 applicants.

The Young Scholars Program offers individualized educational advising along with comprehensive financial support from the 8th grade through high school. Members of the Young Scholars Program travel to Washington, D.C., after eighth grade to meet all the scholars from across the country.

Students set academic and talent goals that will prepare them to be competitive, well-informed applicants for college, through the assistance of scheduled bi-weekly visits with a personal educational advisor. Each year they participate in high-quality academic and extracurricular activities in their communities, at colleges around the United States and in other countries to develop their knowledge talents, and leadership skills to be significant contributors. 

Sarah is excited about the opportunities that await her as part of the Young Scholar program.  Her college plans include attending John Hopkins University and studying pre-med. 

Seventh grade student Crandal Barrow has opened his own popcorn business! Crandal decided to go into the popcorn business when he wanted to plant something on his family farm for fun.  He started his business with only four rows of popcorn, not realizing how much it would produce.  After giving some of his popcorn away to his neighbors and church members, and realizing how much people were enjoying it, he decided to plant more popcorn the following season. 

Crandal sowed, tended and harvested the popcorn himself, and started a Facebook page, Crandal’s Popcorn, to advertise his product.  Crandal’s Popcorn sells for $4 per pound in half-pound, one-pound, and two-pound bags, or a dollar surcharge for a jar.  He had his own booth at the recent Auburn Autumn Days Festival, where he turned a profit of almost $200. 

“It’s a great way to learn responsibility and meet new people,” Crandal stated.

If you’d like to purchase some of Crandal’s locally-grown popcorn, he will have a booth at the upcoming Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival or you can place an order through his Facebook page.