Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Addison Peacock reflects on how the pandemic affected education in Collinsville and how schools found ways to adapt despite the chaos.
According to newly appointed Collinsville High School principal, Bradley Crawford, the year 2020 will be remembered by his students as “one for the history books.”
He is referring to the world-changing event on the minds of students and educators all across the nation since March: the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Harrison Carter interviews Elba Mayor Mickey Murdoch on the ups and downs he has faced in his decade of service.
Mickey Murdock came home to Elba after four years in the military hoping to build a successful life. A long-time resident, Murdock grew to love the community as he raised his family.
What he never imagined was becoming a politician.
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Laynie Snyder emphasizes the work being done by Walker County organizations to address the opioid crisis and how they have adapted during the pandemic. Read More »
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Thomas Chapman highlights a young leader making a difference in the Chatom community.
Chatom resident Sean Atchison is a teen who works hard for the change he wants to see happen. The recent graduate of Washington County High School, where he served as student body president, is an advocate for his community.
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Vaughn reflects on rural progress in his thought piece from Jasper, Alabama.
“We’ve got to keep a high level of community interest involvement. We can’t let our people get to where we’re complacent” Brent McCarver says as he leans forward over his desk, making slight hand gestures. Born in Athens, Alabama, but living in Jasper, McCarver lived in and around Athens and Russellville in North Alabama until his mid-twenties. He went to college in the area, but had never been to Jasper until he was 25 and working on a political campaign.
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Katie Tindol reflects on Carl A. Elliot’s legacy in her thought piece from Jasper, Alabama.
Carl A. Elliott served eight consecutive terms in Congress and was the first-ever recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. A long-time Jasper resident, Elliott was an extraordinary individual who lived a long, productive and life centered around public service to Alabama and its citizens. Civic service was not only a defining priority in his life, but a value that Elliott inspired many to value themselves. Consequently, Elliott’s legacy lives on in many who call Jasper home fifty years after he left Congress. But this summer, when efforts to preserve Elliott’s Jasper home and the museum it houses struggled to come together, I began to look into what it might take to bring this idea to fruition.
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Rolanda Tina Turner reflects on life skills education in her thought piece from Walker County.
Let’s be honest: Older generations are often astonished by how little today’s generation knows. Consider cars. Young Boomers spent endless afternoons tooling around with tie rods and carburetors. But today’s youth spend more time perfecting trip playlists than looking under the hood – assuming they can even find the latch.
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Whitt Watts reflects on his experience with a Meals on Wheels team in his thought piece from Elba, Alabama.
The presence of food seems to be everywhere in Elba, whether that’s a Chamber of Commerce meeting, church service or at the Giving Garden. This summer I had an opportunity to explore another food service in Elba, one that delivers hot meals to people all over the community, when I joined up with the Meals on Wheels Team at the Elba Church of Christ.
“I believe that the community – in the fullest sense: a place and all its creatures – is the smallest unit of health.” -Wendell Berry, “Health is Membership”
Join us Friday, August 16th at the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama for an exploration of the forces that pull us closer. Read More »
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