The Shadows for Success (SfS) program began in late 2022 as a collaboration between the Louisville Municipal School District and the Winston County Extension office. This new program is designed to put high school students between their sophomore and senior year face to face with professionals currently working in the area of their interest.
Many times, students that have an interest in a potential career don’t have the luxury of knowing someone in that profession, or fully understand how to pursue the career educationally. The SfS program will give that student(s) that opportunity, which is to meet and spend quality time with that professional in the workplace.
Last week Mr. Shane McDanial, Winston Louisville Career and Technology Center Director gave two students this opportunity. Ms. Ja’Nai Hunt and Ms. Markia Holmes current Louisville High School Juniors had an interest in seeing and hearing from current national Guard members just what it takes to make it as a soldier, and all the career opportunities the military has to offer.
Ms. Holmes was already signed up due to her interest in pursuing a military career, but still wanted to talk to current Guard members to answer her questions about career advancement, insurance and physical training requirements. Ms. Hunt was interested in a certain area of training in the guard and wanted to hear what it took to achieve that area of expertise. Just so happened, our local Guard unit specialized in that particular area. She was sold on the Guard after seeing and hearing form the current Guard members, so she made a positive life changing decision that day to pursue her career with the Mississippi National Guard.
A huge congratulations to both students for planning for the future and serving their country at the same time. Also, this impactful day couldn’t have happened without the partnership with the Mississippi National Guard. A huge thank you to Sergeants Holmes, Oswalt, Miller, and Gillis from our local unit for allowing themselves to be shadowed for these two bright students that may soon be working with them side by side in a Mississippi National Guard career.
If you know a student interested in a particular career, they can ask their school principal about a Shadows for Success Day for what just may be one of the most impactful days of their life.
