
Taia Condie
Community Liaison for Place-Based Partnerships & ACC Fellow
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.







Celebrating Literacy Across Eastern Kentucky: Read Across America Week in Knott County, Pineville, and Middlesboro
Read Across America Week is a nationwide celebration honoring renowned author Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading. Schools across the country take part in

The 2nd Annual Appalachian Youth Leadership Summit: Applications Now Open!
High school juniors and seniors entering the 2025-26 school year: Are you ready to develop your leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and take on real-world

Bringing Shakespeare to Life: A Magical Theater Experience for Middlesboro Students
What happens when you combine live theater, Shakespeare, and a group of excited elementary students? A one-of-a-kind learning experience. Thanks to the Appalachian Cradle to

APPC2C: Building Pathways from Cradle to Career
Decades ago, when I first started this work, I sat in a conference in Washington, D.C., in awe of Geoffrey Canada. If you don’t know

Mexico Middle School’s “Your Future is Bright” Night Connects Students With Career Insights
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

AppC2C: A Vision for Rural Systems Transformation
Convening multi-sector partners to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive—from early childhood through adulthood—is both simple in concept and complex in execution. This