Speak Out Episodes
Episode 17 - Alabama Center for the Arts 3 of 3
by Tina Blankenship and Larry Smith on 5/15/2023 Length: 28 min
Host Larry Smith and co-host Creighton Bowling wrap up the three-part series from the Alabama Center for the Arts with an interview you won't want to miss. Guests include Dr. Matt Leder, Show Band Director and Music Instructor at Calhoun Community College, Mr. Jordan Davis, Technician at ACA, and former Nine Inch Nails drummer and current Head of Music Technology and instructor at Calhoun Community College, Mr. Chris Vrenna. This exciting episode is filled with more information about what ACA has to offer. Co-host Creighton Bowling is a senior at East Lawrence High School where he serves as treasurer of the school's FFA chapter, and is also the ELHS mascot, Rocky. Creighton is a student in Mr. Posey's agriscience classes.
Episode 16 - Alabama Center for the Arts 2 of 3
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 3/22/2023 Length: 20 min
Join Larry Smith and co-hosts Ada Grace and Addie Calhoun for the second in our series of podcasts from the Alabama Center for the Arts. This episode features an interview with Professor William Richardson, Assistant Professor of Scenic and Lighting Designs at Athens State University and former Lawrence County students who are having success at ACA. Josh Hill graduated from East Lawrence High School and is majoring in music technology and Caleb Baldwin graduated from Lawrence County High School and is a general studies major with a concentration in theater. If you have an interest in theater or arts, you won't want to miss this episode.
Episode 15 - Alabama Center for the Arts 1 of 3
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 2/28/2023 Length: 22 min
Join us for the latest episode of Speak Out! podcast as we take the show on the road with a remote recording at the Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA) in Decatur. This episode is the first of a three-part series on the center and provides great information for anyone interested in the arts. Co-hosts Ada Grace and Addie Calhoun join host Larry Smith in this talk with Dr. Dave Ragsdale, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Athens State University, Ms. Kim Parker, fine arts department chair and visual communications instructor at Calhoun Community College, and Ms. Jennifer Bunnell, Chief Operating Officer for the ACA. Viewers and listeners will gain general information on the ACA, the connection with Calhoun Community College and Athens State University, as well as information regarding scholarship opportunities. Ada is a junior and Addie is a sophomore at LCHS. Ada and Addie are also students at the Lawrence County Career Technical Center where they study salon and spa management in Mrs. Bennett's program.
Episode 14: Marcus Echols Discusses Community Service and Volunteering
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 1/17/2023 Length: 23 minutes
Marcus Echols joins host Larry Smith in our latest episode of Speak Out podcast to talk about his career experience and volunteerism. Mr. Echols shares events that sparked his passion for community service and also shares how you can find volunteer opportunities in your own community. Our co-host for this episode is Samara Williams, a junior at Lawrence County High School and a student in Mrs. Bennett's Salon and Spa Management program at the Lawrence County Career Technical Center.
Episode 13 - Sherry McWhorter: Nurse Coordinator - Lawrence County Schools
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 12/7/2022 Length: 20 minutes
Are you interested in a career in Healthcare? Join Larry Smith and co-host Joseph Perry for our latest episode of Speak Out! podcast with Lawrence County Schools' director of school nurses, Sherry McWhorter. Joseph is a senior at Hatton High School and is employed at Lawrence Medical Center.
Episode 12 - A Conversation with Bryton Frost of Nucor Steel. Co-host Kyla Braidfoot
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 11/2/2022 Length: 20 minutes Join us for this episode of Speak Out as Larry Smith and co-host Kyla Braidfoot interview Nucor team member Bryton Frost. Mr. Frost explains how he transitioned from his high school career tech education classes into the Nucor Technical Academy, a move that launched his career. Our co-host for this latest episode, Kyla Braidfoot, is a sophomore at East Lawrence High School and an LCCTC student in Mr. Hall's Advanced Manufacturing HVAC class.
Episode 11 - A Conversation with Carolyn Brackin Orr
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 9/27/2022 Length: 22 minutes
Join Larry Smith for the latest conversation on Speak Out! podcast. Guest Carolyn Brackin Orr tells listeners that individuals can have several careers in a lifetime. As a contract lecturer, author, mentor, social service worker and journalist, Carolyn has validated this statement with personal experience. Larry is supported in this episode by co-host Alli Chenault, who is a junior at Lawrence County High School, and the designer of the Speak Out! podcast name and logo.
Episode 10: Staff Sgt Joshua Presley
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 8/23/2022 Length: 23 minutes
Join Larry Smith and Co-host Straten Allen for a talk with Marine Recruiter, Staff Sgt. Joshua Presley, about career opportunities in the Marines and other branches of the military.
Episode 9 - Johnita Romine of North Alabama Works
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 6/13/2022 Length: 20 min
Speak Out! launches its newest episode as Larry Smith is joined by co-hosts and RAH seniors, Trinitee Johnson and Armon Clay. This first summer episode features Johnita Romine, Education and Training Coordinator for North Alabama Works.
Episode 8 - Conversation with LC Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jon Bret Smith
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 5/5/2022 Length: 21 Minutes
Join Larry and co-hosts Ana Alvarado and Maddie Treadway for a conversation with Lawrence County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jon Bret Smith, about teaching, being superintendent and the exciting new things happening in Lawrence County's Schools.
Episode 7 - Art in Careers
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 3/22/2022 Length: 28 min
Do you dream of making a career in the field of art? In this episode, join Host Larry Smith and Co-Host Ashlyn Gresham to hear how local artists Milton and Daphne Bowens describe art connections to every career. Learn about their art investment in Lawrence County, Gallery 157, and about Daphne's upcoming solo exhibition, Kitchen Cathedral: A Black Girl Testifies, which opens this Sunday, March 27.
Episode 6 - Larry Smith and Co-host Scarlett Boyles talk FFA with Ana Alvarado and Kadi Redmon
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 2/24/2022 Length: 19 min
Join Larry Smith and Co-host Scarlett Boyles to learn all about FFA as they talk to FFA members Ana Alvarado and Kadi Redmon from East Lawrence High School.
Episode 5 - Larry and co-host Madison Hitt talk with Felicia Patel
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on Length:
Join Larry Smith and co-host Madison Hitt for an Inspiring conversation with former Lawrence County Career Technical Center student Felicia Patel, now a student at California Polytechnic State University and majoring in computer science.
Episode 4 - Paul Logston with Co-host Katie Jett
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 1/13/2022 Length: 19 min
Join Larry Smith and Co-host, Katie Jett, for an interesting and informative conversation with Paul Logston, former Lawrence County Career Technical Center student and current employee of Mazda-Toyota
Episode 3 - Tabitha Pace, Director, Lawrence County Industrial Development Board
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 12/1/2021 Length: 18 min
Host, Larry Smith, and co-host, Duane Freeman, talk to Lawrence County Industrial Development Board Director, Tabitha Pace, about careers and the state of industry here in Lawrence County.
Presenting Your Best Self - Guest Mr. Kenneth Brackins with Co-host Cody Seay
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on Length: 18 min
Join Larry Smith and co-host Cody Seay, a senior at LCHS, for a conversation with Mr. Ken Brackins who shares how students and others can "Present Your Best Self."
Careers in Cosmetology. Guests: Rainey Johnson & Grace Orr. Co-host: Caroline Lee
by Tina Blankenship-Larry Smith on 10/28/2021 Length: 20 minutes
Our first episode with host Larry Smith and co-host Caroline Lee, a senior at HHS, features two former LCCTC students, Grace Orr and Rainey Johnson. Be on the lookout for a new episode to drop each month!