
Taia Condie
Community Liaison for Place-Based Partnerships & ACC AmeriCorps Member
Mexico Middle School hosted “Your Future is Bright” Night on Thursday, Jan. 30, providing students and families with career and financial planning resources. The event featured breakout sessions and a panel discussion where professionals from various industries shared insights into career opportunities, financial literacy and job readiness.
Panel Discussion Offers Career Insights and Financial Guidance to Students and Families

More than 40 students and their parents attended the panel discussion, which included professionals from fields such as nursing, firefighting and business. Panelists answered questions, discussed their career paths and provided guidance on essential job skills. Topics ranged from financial planning and budgeting to interview techniques designed to help students prepare for the workforce.

Beyond the panel, breakout sessions allowed students to participate in smaller group discussions, offering a more in-depth look at career readiness and the steps needed to achieve their goals. The event concluded with a raffle, where attendees received prizes such as reusable water bottles, gift cards and a TV.
By bringing together students, families and professionals, “Your Future is Bright” Night aimed to equip young learners with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths. Exposure to professionals in various industries gave students the opportunity to explore different career options, ask questions and better understand the skills and education required for success. Parents also gained valuable insights, learning how to support their children in career planning through financial literacy, goal setting and academic guidance. By fostering these connections, the event reinforced the importance of early career exploration and the role of education in shaping long-term success.







Why Be at School? Because the Future Is Built One Day at a Time
As National Attendance Awareness Month begins, I think back on 30 years in education—and it’s not the ceremonies or milestones I remember most, but the

Rural AmeriCorps: Building Communities from the Inside Out
— Dreama Gentry, President and CEO, Partners for Rural Impact AmeriCorps is often framed as an urban program, where young people travel to unfamiliar cities

Turning the Page on Our Literacy Crisis Will Require All of Us
Editor’s Note: This blog post is co-authored by Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith, President & CEO of the National Center for Family Learning, and Dreama Gentry,

Hearts and Minds United: How Monthly APPC2C Partner Meetings Are Building a Better Appalachia
When the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) convenes its monthly partner meeting, the energy in the (virtual) room is undeniable. Despite the distance between

From Behind the Lens to Big Dreams: Meet Ella Harris
Meet Ella Harris — a cheerful, mindful, and kind soul who has been shining on our communications team with her creativity and positive energy! A

Fleming-Neon Library Makeover Opens New Chapter for Student Learning
A quiet transformation has taken place at Fleming-Neon Middle School—one that promises to inspire students for years to come. Thanks to a partnership between the