District honors five employees with inaugural Portrait of a Tiger in Action Awards

BARDSTOWN, KY — Bardstown City Schools kicked off the 2025–26 school year with a celebration unlike any other, complete with a red carpet, award show music, and Superintendent Dr. Ryan Clark in a tuxedo.

The district’s annual Opening Day Celebration brought together all Bardstown City Schools employees from teachers and bus drivers to food service workers and office staff, for a morning of connection, recognition, and fun.

This year’s event also marked the debut of the Portrait of a Tiger in Action Awards, a new staff recognition program inspired by the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. That framework defines the five competencies Bardstown hopes every graduate embodies: Team Player, Inquisitive Thinker, Global Citizen, Effective Communicator, and Resilient Individual.

“These awards are a way for us to celebrate employees who are already modeling those values for our students every day,” said Dr. Clark during the ceremony. “They are showing us what it looks like to live The Bardstown Way.”

More than 30 staff members were nominated by their colleagues, and five were selected to receive this year’s inaugural honors:

• Team Player – Chef Justin Whitsell, Bardstown High School
  Chef Whitsell is known not only for teaching culinary arts but for serving the entire district at banquets, ribbon cuttings, and special events. His commitment to students and willingness to jump in wherever needed makes him the definition of a team player.
• Inquisitive Thinker – Ms. Felicia Rudolph, Bardstown Early Childhood
  Felicia brings insight and critical thinking to every conversation. With experience in both general and special education, she approaches every challenge with curiosity and asks, “How can we do this better?”
• Global Citizen – Ms. Natalie Kiser, Bardstown Primary
  Natalie led a county-wide recycling initiative that connected classrooms to the community and created lasting impact. She reminds students and staff alike that small choices can lead to meaningful change.
• Effective Communicator – Ms. Jessica Eichner, BCS Health Services
  Jessica has transformed how health services operate across the district—streamlining systems, organizing mass physicals, and making sure families and nurses alike have the information they need.
• Resilient Individual – Ms. Bethany Case, BCS Transportation
  Bethany earned her commercial bus driver’s license after serving as a special education monitor for years. She completed intense training while raising two children and overcoming personal transportation setbacks. In May, she experienced the tragic loss of her son, Noah Kidd, a Bardstown student. With incredible strength, she returned to the driver’s seat—supporting students with steady care and a resilient spirit.

Each award was presented by a surprise guest: retired Bardstown staff members who returned to honor this year’s winners. Presenters included: Joey Downs & Paul Bowling; Bob & Cara Blackmon; Laura Montgomery & Stacey Hinkebein; Tammy Masters & Wendy Riley; and Melissa Peters & Tom Hayes.

The event also featured TNN student reporters, led by Mr. Jeremy Shultz, who interviewed staff on the purple carpet in true Hollywood fashion. Bardstown High School senior Tate Hill captured the celebration with professional photography and videography.

“This wasn’t just a back-to-school meeting,” said Dr. Clark. “It was a celebration of who we are, what we value, and the people who make Bardstown City Schools so special.”