Student Success Stories: A Conversation with Josh Scott
Nov 10, 2023
Superintendent Mark Kopp
Get ready for an engaging conversation with Josh Scott, a stellar high school student who's mastering the field of football and the art of leadership. From winning the prestigious Heisman High School Scholarship to serving as class president at Western Hills High School, Josh's journey is a testament to the power of hard work and ambition. Listen in as he shares his strategies for success, his love for football, and a whimsical side story about his participation in the Mullet Championship.
Our talk with Josh doesn't stop at personal achievements. We also get to peek behind the curtain of his role as a student board member and the impressive advancements of Western Hills High School during his tenure. When we say this includes a new principal and a soon-to-be-built-state-of-the-art auxiliary gym, we're not exaggerating! As we wrap up, Josh shares his future aspirations and lightens the mood with his favorite breakfast cereal and movie. Join us for this insightful chat with a young leader who's making a mark today and has his eyes set on a bright future.
Get ready for an engaging conversation with Josh Scott, a stellar high school student who's mastering the field of football and the art of leadership. From winning the prestigious Heisman High School Scholarship to serving as class president at Western Hills High School, Josh's journey is a testament to the power of hard work and ambition. Listen in as he shares his strategies for success, his love for football, and a whimsical side story about his participation in the Mullet Championship.
Our talk with Josh doesn't stop at personal achievements. We also get to peek behind the curtain of his role as a student board member and the impressive advancements of Western Hills High School during his tenure. When we say this includes a new principal and a soon-to-be-built-state-of-the-art auxiliary gym, we're not exaggerating! As we wrap up, Josh shares his future aspirations and lightens the mood with his favorite breakfast cereal and movie. Join us for this insightful chat with a young leader who's making a mark today and has his eyes set on a bright future.
Speaker 1:
Welcome to FCS Unscripted. A new podcast for one team, fcs, where we look at the stories behind every one in Franklin County schools. Welcome to FCS Unscripted. This is Superintendent Cop. I am so excited to get to do these podcasts with you on a weekly basis. Some are even better than others, and this is one of those. We get to do a student spotlight edition of the podcast today and we are spotlighting a student who I've grown to know a little bit over the last several months as our new, one of our new student board members on our board, and that student is Josh Scott. Josh, welcome.
Speaker 2:
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1:
Josh is a senior at Western Hills High School and he's an unbelievable kid first of all, and so I get. I'm really looking forward to getting to talk to you a little bit today, and we'll talk about some of your accomplishments and some of the things that you're you're looking at in terms of your school. What are some things that you're most proud of about being at Western Hills and all that good stuff, and we'll get into some fun facts too. So, Josh, just begin by telling us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 2:
Well, like you said, I'm a senior at Western Hills. I play football. I really love that Good Christian Love going to church, good.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I mean, how was football season? I mean, we have a new coach over there doing some really good things.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, football season was great. I mean ended out five and five, but I mean leaps from where we've been in the past and we're just going to go so much farther.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I was really, really pleased with the football season. Obviously at both of our high schools. At Western Hills you have a new coach, a new, a new era of football starting there and really a new attitude and it's it's just been great to see the participation is way up and I see big things for the future. So you were awarded something that was really, really special, and let's talk about that. Okay, you were just awarded with the Heisman High School Scholarship. First of all, congratulations. That's amazing. Secondly, kind of tell us about that.
Speaker 2:
So it was back in October. Our AD, Adam Johnson, just sent me this link. He's like, hey, I think you'd be good to apply for this. And I thought, okay, you know no big deal, I'll fill it out. So I fill it out, you know, didn't really think anything of it Cause I was like, okay, if I win, cool, if not, not, not a big deal. Yeah, Cause I kind of did it like on the fly. Well, about last week or the week before they told me I was the school winner but I was the only one who applied from the school. But you know, still, still good yeah.
Speaker 2:
I got an email Last week that I was the state winner.
Speaker 1:
Wow.
Speaker 2:
They picked one guy and one girl from the whole state.
Speaker 1:
Yep.
Speaker 2:
And I won and I was very, I was shocked, I was surprised.
Speaker 1:
That's pretty awesome. I called my mom in class.
Speaker 2:
I was like, hey, I just won this. I couldn't believe it Wait a second.
Speaker 1:
You used your phone in class. Yeah, that's okay, Well, that's great. So what is it? What does the award entail? What do you get?
Speaker 2:
So I get at the state level. I was awarded $1,000. That's great, which is great, and I was given the opportunity to move on to be a national finalist.
Speaker 1:
Wow.
Speaker 2:
And I was not, but it's okay.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, well, hey, that's still incredible. And my question is do you get to do the Heisman pose, you know, with the you know?
Speaker 2:
See, that's the thing. I would If you went at the national level you get to go to the Heisman like award ceremony.
Speaker 1:
That's pretty awesome.
Speaker 2:
So that's kind of what I was holding out. For once I figured out about it, but I still. You know I'll hit the Heisman every once in a while.
Speaker 1:
That's. I think you should. So. Similarly, last year you entered a contest that we learned about that we we thought was the greatest thing ever, and that was the the best mullet. I don't know even what you know. What do you title the contest best mullet in?
Speaker 2:
the world. I think it was just mullet championship, mullet championship.
Speaker 1:
So tell us about that. That was fun.
Speaker 2:
Well, I've been growing out some luscious locks for a little bit and I think somebody sent it to my mom on like Facebook and we're like Josh would be great for this. I was like oh, that sounds like fun, like you know why not. So I did it and I was like, well, if I really want to win this thing, I got to like call the news. So I called like local news stations. I was on a cable 10 around 10.
Speaker 2:
I was on that. I was on WKYT, wlex, like all those different stations, and I would like you can look up Josh, scott mullet, it'll be all over the place and I I said I was going to give if I won. There was a you know some money prize and I was going to say half of it goes to my church and half of it goes to Eastern Kentucky flood relief.
Speaker 1:
That's awesome.
Speaker 2:
At the time, and it was first through, third got money, I got fourth, but I was so happy with just the experience.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and the locks were flowing Like you said. That's pretty good. That was a great mullet and from someone who at one time in my life may or may not have had a mullet, you know, living through the eighties, that was a good mullet man.
Speaker 2:
I appreciate it. Well, the funny thing is is in May of 2023. We did our you know, school elections and I've been class president for a couple years my sophomore, junior year, we're going into senior year. Of course, everybody wants to run so you can speak your graduation, sure. So I had a good amount of competition. Well, I figured the number one way to get up there and win is to give the people what they want.
Speaker 2:
Yeah. So I got up there and I said look, if you vote me in, I'll cut my hair, I'll cut the mullet off. And I, from what I was told, won by a good amount because that's what everybody wanted to see.
Speaker 1:
Sure.
Speaker 2:
So I came back first day of school and I actually did the reveal with the new football program stuff. We did a midnight madness game and I had posted a picture on my Instagram story of like the curls in my hand and I said like come to midnight madness to see the reveal. And a lot of people came and I just like took some pictures with people and it was a good time.
Speaker 1:
But man, that's great. It was worth it. Yeah, so you put your mullet where your mouth is. In other words, I like that. Yeah, that's really good. Speaking of being senior class president, you know you've been a leader at your school and that's very impressive. We're very proud of you for that. And you're also now a leader in the district in terms of being selected as a student board member. You and Olivia Adkins from Franklin County High School. Olivia's been on the podcast before with their Flyers project that they've been working on. That's a suicide prevention. We're very proud of her for that. So tell us about being a student board member. What's kind of fun about that? What's you know?
Speaker 2:
Being a student board member is great because you get to hear like everything.
Speaker 1:
Sure.
Speaker 2:
You know I'm learning more and stuff like stuff I would never thought of and see in like the numbers. I'm kind of a math guy so when I see all the numbers, but even just people who are like getting the school lunches, like that's the kind of stuff I like to see. Also, like new things that are coming and updates on when we were renovating the football fields. Seeing that all the time and also getting to you know, speak my opinion and you know, fill you guys in about like my school every month.
Speaker 1:
And we love that too, and you know that's one of the reasons that you know, when we have student board members, we encourage you to share your opinion and that's the only way you can. You know you can get better, as if you you want to obviously hear about the good things, but you also want to. You know, you want to address if there are challenges that we need to address. So kind of talk about what the best thing about being a student at Western Hills High School is.
Speaker 2:
I would say the best thing about being a student at Western Hills the four years I've been here is the tremendous growth I've seen through many different aspects. Our numbers of students have increased tremendously, Our sports teams are all very good right now and improving, and we've got a lot of new coaching staff and new athletic directors and everything's changing for a good way and also lots of new clubs. You know there's just a lot more to do now and I just think it's great for the school.
Speaker 1:
And we have a new, a new ish. Now he's in his second year new principal, ryan King, who's doing a really good job there.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, he's phenomenal. I see him at everything, so I cannot speak highly enough of him.
Speaker 1:
That's great. What are some things that you may see at the school that we need to look at in terms of, hey, if there are some improvements to be made, you know what? What are some of those things? That's a tougher question, I think that is a tougher question.
Speaker 2:
I think just what I've heard the most I'm actually my English 101 class with Midway is writing an argumentative essay about something at Western Hills. He made us pick something about our school.
Speaker 1:
Okay.
Speaker 2:
So I know some people said like student involvement, but that's kind of hard to manage from y'all's position.
Speaker 1:
Sure.
Speaker 2:
And I had mentioned um about like a weight room or an auxiliary gym. But I've heard that's in, that's in the works.
Speaker 1:
Well, let's talk about that for a second. Uh, we just this week, uh, the surveyors and the um geotechnical firm was there drilling uh holes in the ground, doing the soil samples and making sure, because that's we're kicking that project off now. So for those of you who are are listeners, uh, we are building two auxiliary gyms on a district, one at Western Hills, one at Franklin County High School. The one at Western Hills is going to be positioned in between Western Hills and Bondrant, um, kind of right across from where the ag department is, in that open field. I think they grew sunflowers and things this year there, uh, but, uh, yeah, that's that pro, that project is kicking off. Those auxiliary gyms are going to uh be a fantastic spot for the.
Speaker 1:
You know, when I first came here and I've seen it every year since then um, I've seen practices being held in the cafeteria and um, you know kids running through the halls and dance team and cheer team, you know, in the cafeteria and you know the it's it's a struggle for gym space and, frankly, every high school, with the expansion of athletic opportunities, does need a separate space. So that auxiliary gym is going to have obviously a very large gym space, but then each of those, the extra sports that haven't had gym space, are going to have their own space. So there's a wrestling room, there's a dance cheer room, there's a golf room with a golf simulator, there's a softball hitting facility, there's a training room, and that we're kicking that project off and that's going to be great.
Speaker 2:
Oh yeah, that's going to be great, I guess what? What fed into that was, uh, accommodating for the growth. Yep Is one of the big things and I think you know we're doing that great. So that's that's good to hear. I hadn't heard that yet, so that's good.
Speaker 1:
We're excited about that, so, um, so, let's let's talk just a little bit more about Josh Scott. In terms of when you graduate and you walk cross stage and I get to shake your hand, give you that diploma, what's what's next for Josh Scott?
Speaker 2:
Uh, what's next? Right now is the United States Naval Academy.
Speaker 1:
Fantastic.
Speaker 2:
Uh, number one public school, yep, right now, and uh, I'm just waiting to get accepted. I've I've been invited up there twice and I've gone both times and enjoyed it. I've also applied to different military academies. I'm going out to the Air Force Academy actually this next week, going to their football game too and doing a lot of stuff with that. So kind of just waiting to hear back.
Speaker 1:
Awesome, that's so exciting. Well, good luck with that, and if there's any letter that I can help you know, write for you. I'd be glad to do that. Um, so we've kind of put you through the ring or asking you all kinds of difficult questions. Now let's get into some fun facts. Okay, fun facts with Josh Scott. All right, what is your favorite breakfast cereal? Ooh, that's cinnamon toast crunch all day 100% my, my daughter's, the same way she, she would agree with you, I think, on that. What is your favorite movie of all time?
Speaker 2:
Just because I watched it so recently I got to go Rocky for Really yes.
Speaker 1:
Rocky, for that's the one where it goes to Russia. Yeah, yeah, ivon Drago, yeah, oh yeah, I must break you with that one, yeah.
Speaker 2:
I watched it. It just couldn't get any better than that. Also that inspired our senior night against Frankfurt High. When they introduced the seniors, we came out in American flag top hats dating to living in America, similar to Apollo Creed. That's great and I did watch it recently and it was just a cinematic masterpiece.
Speaker 1:
That's awesome. So would that be you know? So you would say then that the of the Rocky movies Rocky for is your favorite.
Speaker 2:
I mean it's. It's always a tough battle. I feel like they're all pretty good besides five. Yeah, five is awful, I mean five is awful, but I really just think three and four are very good, Good.
Speaker 1:
But I kind of like four more Awesome, awesome, all right, that's, that's good. What is your favorite TV show or streaming show?
Speaker 2:
Oh, that's friends.
Speaker 1:
Okay, yeah, rest in peace, matthew. Hey, yeah, because he's a great guy. Huge loss, yeah.
Speaker 2:
I love friends All right.
Speaker 1:
What is your? I assume you play a few video games on over the day over the years. What's your favorite video game of all time?
Speaker 2:
It's been a while since I've played, but Madden you know, being a football player got to played a lot of Madden Mac in the day and I just say it's still, still number one, all right.
Speaker 1:
The last, the last question what is your favorite food? Oh, that's a tough one, that's that's probably the most challenging one, yeah.
Speaker 2:
Because it's like there's so many different categories. You don't want to go dessert, yeah, but like I'm thinking like, maybe like a dinner food, if something, yeah, dinner food, yeah, dinner food. I mean, I feel like like Thanksgiving. You can't get any better than that. So I have to say like like some turkey or some ham Yep you know some stuffing.
Speaker 1:
You got to have the sides right.
Speaker 2:
Oh yeah, I mean it just can't, you can't top that.
Speaker 1:
That's perfect, because I mean Thanksgiving's right around the corner, exactly. So, josh Scott, it is a pleasure to get to speak with you today, so appreciate all that you do for our district, for Western Hills High School, and good luck to you, and I look forward to shaking your hand here. And oh, what is that? Gosh, that's only six or seven months away, something like that that's coming around.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, you also get to hear me speak. Once again. I'm.
Speaker 1:
I'm you're going to, you're in the rock. I can't wait. I appreciate it. All right. Thanks so much, josh and everyone have a fantastic day. Well, that wraps it up for this week's episode of FCS Unscripted. Thank you for listening in and I encourage you to subscribe and follow this weekly podcast, where we will share updates, information and interviews with hashtag every one the wonderful students and staff who make up one team, fcs. Have a great week everybody.