Darlene Greene Bowling
Owner/College Planner
Darlene joins Class 101 with an extensive resume in the field of education. Her vast classroom experience includes teaching AP European History, Reading Enrichment, AP English, Humanities, Creative Writing, United States History, and World Civilization. In 2003, she became a library media specialist and retired from that position in 2019. While she was a media specilaist she served as the Academic Team coach for many years and was instrumental in producing several school-wide performing arts productions. It was in her role as a Media Specialist that Darlene, and her colleague and partnering Media Specialist, Elizabeth Tapley, were selected by school administrators to procure renowned, specialized training in ACT Preparation. They in turn spearheaded a school-wide ACT Prep Program that yielded astounding ACT Score increases for their school. From here, she and Ms. Tapley chartered their private business, ACT Prep, wherein they privately tutored many Eastern Kentucky students to achieve their ACT goals. Darlene brings extraordinary credentials to Class 101 as she was awarded the prestigious fellowship as a Mandel Fellow and studied extensively at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. She has traveled extensively both domestic and abroad, including various foreign mission trips. She is very involved in her community as a singer, pianist, and has held the position of Worship Leader/Choir Director at a local church, and continues teaching piano to a select group of students. When Darlene isn’t teaching or working with students, she loves gardening, biking, reading, singing and playing piano, and spending time with her husband Steve, her sons Logan and Brycen, and her daughter-in-law, Taylor.
Elizabeth Cupp Tapley
Owner/College Planner
Elizabeth retired from being a high school educator after 28 years. Mathematics teacher, media specialist, prom sponsor and basketball coach are just a few of the many hats she wore. Her entire career was dedicated to helping high school students prepare for life after graduation. "Joining Class 101 is a perfect fit as it allows me to continue helping students see their college dreams realized." When she is not college planning, she is spending time with her husband, Terry, and their family.Karen Rudder Jones
Editor
With 32 years of experience in education, including teaching high school English, journalism, and oral communication, Karen Jones brings extensive experience to her role as a writing editor with Class 101. In addition, Karen has worked as a private writing consultant for several years. With her background as a Library Media Specialist and Technology Integration Specialist, she understands the challenges students face when crafting standout application essays and academic papers. “I am passionate about guiding students through the writing process and empowering them to articulate their unique strengths and present their best selves to colleges and universities in order to achieve their academic goals.” In her free time, Karen enjoys reading, traveling, camping with her husband, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Melinda Gillum Dalton
College Planner
With a passion for guiding students toward their future, Melinda brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional insight to Class 101. Though not a formally trained educator, Melinda first encountered Class 101 as a parent, using its services to help her own children—Elizabeth, Samuel, and Benjamin—navigate the college planning journey. Melinda is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she earned both her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Juris Doctor from the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. She currently practices family and juvenile law at her family’s Somerset-based firm, Gillum & Gillum Attorneys. Before officially joining Class 101, Melinda lent her expertise by conducting mock interviews for students seeking competitive scholarships. Her guidance helped students earn prestigious awards such as the Singletary Scholarship at the University of Kentucky and the Lincoln Scholarship at Centre College. Now a valued member of the Class 101 team, Melinda is excited to support students in discovering their strengths, building confidence, and achieving their college and career goals. She is deeply committed to helping the next generation thrive.Leah Tune Clark
College Planner
Leah is a highly accomplished educator dedicated to ensuring individual student success and transition readiness. With nearly 20 years of experience as a Special Education Teacher, she brings a profound understanding of diverse learning needs to the role of College Planner. Leah is a life-long learner herself, holding a Master of Science in Library Media Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching (Learning and Behavior Disorders P-12), in addition to a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Psychology, all earned with Summa Cum Laude honors During her tenure, Leah focused on developing services for students through instructional partnerships. Her core expertise lies in providing essential support so students can successfully access the curriculum. This required her to become knowledgeable of various supplementary aids, services, and technology resources to help students achieve success. Her background is rooted in the belief of fostering a growth mindset for students, which is crucial in enabling them to be successful and transition ready for their post-secondary goals. Leah's commitment to student well-being extends beyond the classroom. She has strong communication and interpersonal abilities and has served in various leadership and advisory capacities, including being the Team Facilitator for the PBIS Committee, a School Data Team Member, and a Family Resource Center Advisory Council Member. These roles showcase her capacity for organizational and analytical skills necessary to guide students through complex planning processes. Leah Clark is poised to make a positive impact by helping every student create a tailored plan for their future success. In her free time, Leah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing pickleball, reading, and time outdoors.
Owners
Darlene Greene Bowling
Elizabeth Cupp Tapley
Phone
606-658-4580
Address
64 Keavy Road Suite 4, London, KY 40744
Working with Class 101 from my freshman year gave me a strong foundation before I even started thinking about college applications. The most overwhelming part for me was the essays, but Class 101 helped me build a well-rounded resume and craft essays I was truly proud of.
One of my biggest accomplishments was receiving the McKnight Scholarship, and their expert guidance helped me achieve it. Through this process, I gained confidence and realized that I can do hard things—I just have to be willing to put in the work.
Class 101 is caring, helpful, and giving. My senior year would have been very stressful without them.
Claire Beth P.
Oklahoma State University
The college application process felt overwhelming for our family at first because we simply didn’t know where to start. After hearing great things from other families, we decided to work with Class 101 and it was one of the best decisions we made. Their support with applications, essays, and scholarships made the entire process manageable and helped increase Payton’s confidence along the way. As parents, our stress level dropped dramatically knowing we had guidance every step of the way. We’re especially proud of her ACT improvement and the scholarships earned. Class 101 truly walked us through the entire journey, and we’re so thankful for their help.
Kelly V.
Before working with Class 101, we felt unsure about the college process and wanted to make sure everything was in place for applications. Through their help with building a college list, completing applications, writing essays, and finding scholarships, our daughter gained clarity and confidence. Having professionals guide us through every step lifted a huge weight off our shoulders as parents. We are so proud of the results and the acceptances she received. If you’re on the fence about working with Class 101, do it! It builds confidence for your student and makes the entire process so much easier for families.
Karissa C.
