In Memoriam

 

        Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy is saddened to announce the passing of our Founding Director, Colonel Elmo Curtis "Rock" Head, Jr..   Colonel Head suffered a Heart Attack on Friday, March 7, 2008, and was buried in Shelbyville, Kentucky on Monday, March 10, 2008. 

 

        Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy joined the national ChalleNGe effort in 1999.  Kentucky's program was the vision of Governor Paul Patton, the responsibility of then Adjutant General, Major General John R. Groves, Jr., and coming into being through the efforts of Colonel Head and Ms. Janet Oliver. 

 

        Colonel Head's influence and effort resulted in a ChalleNGe program involving many departments and divisions of the Commonwealth.  Military Affairs, Juvenile Justice, Adult Education, Workforce Development and many others joined forces to implement this exceptional program for At Risk Youth.  Kentucky owes a special debt of gratitude to those involved in the beginnings of the program.   Almost 1,500 youth have graduated from Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy and gone on to lives they once thought unattainable. 

 

        Colonel Head leaves a legacy in his family, his National Guard career and work directing the Civil Military Support element of the Kentucky National Guard for many years, and in his founding of ChalleNGe in Kentucky. 

 

        Every one of Kentucky's children is born with a birthright and dream of success.  Along the way, many lose sight of the path to success and fall into despair and hopelessness for their future.  Colonel Elmo Curtis Head, Jr. recognized and promoted a program to create new hope, new self awareness, and a new thirst for life in Kentucky's At Risk Youth.  We will all miss him greatly, and may we rededicate ourselves to continuing his dream.

 

John W. Smith, Colonel (Retired), Director, Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe "Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy"