The ESU-KY will award a limited number of scholarships to qualified Kentucky college students, and Kentucky middle and high school teachers, for courses offered at institutions in the United Kingdom in the summer of 2025. Selections are held in the Fall every year for the next summer.
Ron Whitehead, Outlaw Poet presents "Write ON!" - Wednesday, August 19th at 4:00 PM (EDT)
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Ron Whitehead, Outlaw Poet, will present "Write ON! a feast for you mind and heart. Ron has lived the extraordinary life of a writer, performer, traveler, and activist through his poetic world of unparalleled vision.
Through his writings, photographs, and clips from his upcoming film, Ron will share how his ESU scholarship to Oxford, meeting with exalted persons, and general life connectivity has developed a deeper vision of a world where Respect has led the way.
In this program you will be entertained, challenged, and encouraged to tap your inner writer. Viewers will be encouraged to submit their Japanese or American Haiku centered on the theme of Respect for enjoyment on a national spotlight writing page. If you would like the chance to be featured as a poet during his program submit your Haiku using the form linked below. All those who attend will be eligible to win a copy of "The View from Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Bathroom Window" and the CD, Down and Out in Kentucky: Never Give Up.
Welcome to ESU Happy Hour! The ESU has planned a series of programs to connect and reach out to our members through programs that are engaging, fun, and informative on a wide variety of topics. Happy Hour programs bring to you guest speakers live and free of charge. Speakers may also suggest a unique cocktail for you to create and enjoy at home. These programs are designed so ESU members and guests can learn and interact with our outstanding speakers. Many speakers will provide exciting participation opportunities with fun give away books and products at the end of each program.
Read the full story for a complete listing of the first six speakers in the program!
National ESU 2020 Online Shakespeare Competition - Jordyn Jenkins, a senior from the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, KY was the first ever Online ESU Kentucky Branch Shakespeare Competition Winner. We were most proud of her performance and she placed third in the Online National Shakespeare Competition. Congratulations and best wishes to Jordyn as she pursues a performing degree and to her teacher Katherine Blackerby Weible!
A special thank you to all who participated in the first-ever Online E-SU KY Branch Competition. We all participants and teachers for their willingness to go above and beyond to send entries and bring outstanding performances to our esteemed judges. Our heartfelt congratulations to all for your perseverance and support. I ask that you please notify your students of the results.
The judging team was: Dr. John Gatton, Zan Sawyer Dailey, and Baron Kelly
The Finalists are:
1st - #3 Jordyn Jenkins - Monologue# 220 Jailer's Daughter and Sonnet #127
Youth Performing Arts School - Teacher - Katie Backerby Weible
2nd- #2 Helena Schatzki - Monologue # 167 Lady Anne and Sonnet #96
Lafayette High School - Teacher -Amie Kissling
3rd - #4 Holly Kissel - Monologue # 147 Iago and Sonnet #130 Presentation High School - Teacher - Ashley Beck
Below is the link for the Google ESU monologues. Please share this link with family and friends to enjoy the competitor's work.
Sponsored by Sullivan University
College of Hospitality Studies with scholarships by the English-Speaking Union,
Kentucky Branch
Congratulations to all of the student chef participants!
Last night was the British Isles Cuisine Competition and both the English-Speaking Union and Sullivan University staff and instructors were so pleased with the professionalism and enthusiasm of every team who participated. Over 200 people attended the event in the beautiful Pendennis Club Ballroom and had a grand time voting for their favorites between bites of delicious delicacies researched, cooked and prepared by all of the participating student chefs.
The food from every team was amazing and the judges must have had a very difficult time making the decision on the winners. and there seemed to be strong interest in having a repeat competition next year. Chef Dodd and Chef Sams provided attendees with amazing insights as the evening drew to a close.
The final results were as follows:
1st Place Winners, $2500.00 Scholarship Scotland Chaz Panagacos Cliff Rice
2nd Place Winners, $1000.00 Scholarship
England Ben McClelland Kevin McGee
3rd Place Winners, $500.00 Scholarship
Ireland Ed Schuler Jake Stone
Wales Grace Alexander Brandon Schieferle
Our thanks to everyone who made the evening a great success.
2025 National Shakespeare Competition: Kentucky Branch will take place on February 22, 2025. Schools must submit their participation form by January 26, 2025.
Message From Kentucky Branch President
The English-Speaking Union of the United States (ESU US) is a non-profit, non-political, educational service organization whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community. The Kentucky Branch is a vibrant, active organization with a devoted focus on enabling student and teacher scholars to study in the United Kingdom and promoting scholarship with students from our state.
The Kentucky Branch
The Kentucky Branch of the ESU was chartered in 1923 by local business and civic leaders. In the 1960's Mr. Josh Everett took the task of expanding the organization in Kentucky and served many years in that leadership role. Notable branch presidents included Mr. Barry Bingham, Sr. and later Mr. Keith Runyon, Forum Editor for the Courier Journal. In 1960 Norman McKenna was the first scholar sent by the Kentucky Branch to study in the United Kingdom. Dr. McKenna served as Branch President from 1992-94. Since 1964, over 500 Kentucky teachers and college students have been awarded scholarships by the Kentucky Branch. The current President is Mrs. Kate Scharre Nitzken, NBCT, who was a past ESU scholar teacher selected in 2009 to study Teaching Shakespeare through Performance at Shakespeare's New Globe Theater in London.
Current activity in the branch includes the annual sponsorship of university and teacher scholars to study abroad through the ESU TLab Program, the annual high school student Shakespeare Competition, and numerous events and activities designed to engage our membership. We salute all past scholars from our state who have studied at many universities and educational institutions. The Kentucky Branch is an active and vibrant chapter and we welcome new members to all activities.
Sincerely,
Kate S. Nitzken, NBCT
President, ESU Kentucky Branch
In Memoriam
Dr. John Spalding Gatton
The Kentucky Branch of the English-Speaking Union regrets to announce the passing of our beloved board member Dr. John Spalding Gatton, who died peacefully on March 11, 2025. His service to our branch, and his passion for academia and scholars will be remembered with fondness.
Born in Louisville, John developed a passion for theatre at a very young age, a passion that stayed with him throughout his life as an actor, director, and professor. As a child, he was part of the original cast of Louisville Children's Theatre (now StageOne) and appeared in Kentucky Shakespeare productions during its early years for 10 summer seasons.
Dr. Gatton was a professor at UK in the English and Honors Departments from 1981 to 1987, and taught in the English Department at the Virginia Military Institute for two years, under the rank of Major, before taking his final teaching job at Bellarmine College, now Bellarmine University.
A beloved professor at Bellarmine, John taught in the English Department for over 30 years and directed numerous student plays while there. He was recognized as Professor Emeritus upon his retirement from Bellarmine in 2018 and continued to teach Shakespeare part time at the school until 2020. He was beloved by his colleagues and enriched the lives of generations of students.
Dr. Gatton was a member of the Modern Language Association, the South Atlantic Modern Language Association, the University of Kentucky Library Association, and the Kentucky Historical Society. In retirement, he continued his scholarship as a revered member of The Byron Society where he served on the board of directors as treasurer and delivered papers internationally at annual meetings. He taught a series of lectures to Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) on Kentucky Authors and served on the board of directors for the Kentucky Branch of the English-Speaking Union for many years.
Dr. Kathleen Lyons
It is with deepest sorrow and heartfelt love that I share the passing of Dr. Kathleen Lyons. She met her Lord on Monday, October 7, 2024 in her home surrounded by family and loved ones. She will be greatly missed.
I need not tell you the important contributions Kathleen made to the ESU Kentucky Branch throughout her many years on the Board of Directors. She championed the Scholarship Program from which so many have benefitted. Several recent scholars have been sent abroad on a scholarship under her name. She was a dear friend to many of us and a wealth of knowledge for our organization. According to her nephew Geoff, she was most proud of her 2024 ESU Lifetime Achievement Award and kept it prominently by her sickbed to the last.
The arrangements include a visitation at 9:00 on October 19, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Her memorial service will begin at 10:00, followed by a luncheon in the undercroft. Flowers will be sent from our Branch.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Most sincerely,
Kate S. Nitzken
President
ESU Kentucky Branch
Paul Whitty
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Paul Whitty. Paul's contributions to the Kentucky Branch of the English-Speaking Union were immeasurable and his presence will be profoundly missed. In recognition of his remarkable lifetime of service, Paul Whitty was honored with the Kentucky Branch Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Convention this past Friday evening. This accolade was a testament to his outstanding contributions to our cause, and it is a tribute that will forever stand as a reminder of his lasting impact.
Paul's legacy will continue to resonate within our organization, and we are grateful for the time we had with him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. The obituary for Paul Whitty can be found here:
The Kentucky branch is saddened by the loss of past Branch ESU Scholar, Board of Director Member, Scholarship Committee Member, and longtime branch member Keith Eiken.
The date of the visitation and memorial service are mentioned in the attached obituary notice.
Many thanks for his remembrance, in lieu of flowers, to the Kentucky Branch Scholarship Fund.
Gene was a long time member of the Kentucky Branch, English Speaking Union. He served on the Scholarship Committee since 2003 and was a sponsor of several scholarships over his years of service to the Kentucky Branch. Gene was a member of the Audubon Park Garden Club and one of the founding members of Jeff-Clark Preservation. Gene was an elementary school art teacher for the greater Clark County Schools in Indiana until he retired. He was a lifelong member of Salem United Church of Christ, where he served previously as president. He was a volunteer at Southeast Area Ministries (SEAM). Gene was 72.
Gene is survived by many loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
Samuel Norman McKenna
A loving donation, in memory of long time member Samuel Norman McKenna, has been made to the Kentucky Branch Scholarship Fund, by Ms. Emily Maxwell. Thoughts of Norman will always be treasured by the Kentucky Branch!
The ESU-KY branch is saddened at the passing of long time member William Pfingst Carrell, age 84, of Louisville, KY.
Mr. Carrell was a member of a family of illustrious military background and was an accomplished athlete. He was a third
generation member of the prestigious Pendennis Club in Louisville and was an avid supporter of all things relating to history.
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