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Double time Wallace State dual enrollment student Grayson Phillips succeeding in welding, outdoor equipment foundation SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
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allace State dual enrollment welding student Grayson Phillips is an avid hunter, outdoorsman and loves playing basketball. More importantly, Phillips also has a passion for helping others who, like him, are physically disabled. Phillips, who is currently in his fourth semester in Wallace State’s welding program, was born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. Spend a few minutes with the 18-year-old Phillips and one can see how nothing slows him down, which was one of the inspirations behind Phillips and his father establishing the nonprofit Outdoor Ability Foundation four years ago. Outdoor Ability Foundation equips disabled outdoorsman with any adaptive equipment, whether they’re interested in hunting, fishing, water and snow skiing or camping. “I know the struggles people like me go through and they deserve independence with things. To be able to give them that freedom through our foundation is awesome. I want to
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Wallace State student Grayson Phillips is competing for a national Prudential Spirit of Community Awards scholarship.
show everyone that just because you may be in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you have to sit on the couch all day. I want to show people you can go out and weld like I do or go hunt, fish and live life and forget about the limitations,” Phillips said. Phillips is a homeschooled student from Gardendale. Through the efforts of the Outdoor Ability Foundation and his strong academic work, Phillips is utilizing
scholarships at Wallace State he earned through Go Build Alabama and the Prudential Spirit of Community program. Phillips hopes the scholarship rewards don’t end there. He is one of two Alabama high school students and one of 102 in the nation competing for a Prudential Spirit of Community Awards national scholarship. The scholarship is worth $5,000 and SEE DOUBLE TIME, P5
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We would like to thank WSCC for their continued support of Economic Development and our local industries AMANDA SHAVERS-DAVIS | THE CULLMAN TIMES
Dale Greer at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s Industry Appreciation event.
A turning point of knowledge, success DAVID PALMER dpalmer@cullmantimes.com
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ale Greer had been in the workforce 15 years when he made career change, a move that was accompanied by the courage to go back to college. At first, Greer, who serves as director of the Cullman Economic Development Agency, was skeptical about returning to school. He had already attended college in Birmingham and had enjoyed a successful tenure as a reporter and editor at The Cullman Times. But enrolling in Wallace State Community College has proven to be a lifelong benefit as he looks back.
“I already thought I was intelligent and successful and didn’t need to go back to college, but I was moving to the (Cullman Area) Chamber of Commerce into a new role. I enrolled with the idea that I’ll get the piece of paper and nothing more. But I was surprised at what I learned, and I came to the realization that in life you’re always learning and making that move set me on a new path, not just a career path.” Finding the classroom environment an invigorating experience, Greer earned an associate’s degree and then enrolled at Athens State for his business degree. He soon joined the City of Cullman’s economic
development team and became part of one of the state’s most successful economies. “I stayed involved with Wallace State through the alumni association and then the Foundation, which is something that opens a lot of doors for people that would otherwise remain closed,” Greer said. “We have scholarships and and second-chance scholarships and those help people to take a step up and more in life. It’s one of the most rewarding things I ever been involved in, because you see directly how education can change a person’s life.” SEE DALE GREER, P5
Our Industry partners and their continued investment in our community keeps Cullman and Cullman County at the top.
Thank you, again!
• City of Cullman • Industrial Development Board of the City of Cullman • Cullman County • Cullman County Industrial Development Authority
Cullman Alabama Economic Development Agency cullmandeda@cullmaneda.org www.cullmaneda.org
Cullman County Industrial Development Authority
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DOUBLE TIME: Dual enrollment student Grayson Phillips is succeeding in welding FROM PAGE 3
winners also receive $5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. Phillips will travel to Washington D.C. on April 28-May 2 to learn if he’s a scholarship recipient. “The first scholarship was a weight lifted off my shoulders as far as paying for college. I’m hoping for the best with the national scholarship,” Phillips said. Phillips enrolled at Wallace State through the Dual Enrollment program and has found welding to be a natural fit. He’ll graduate with his homeschool diploma in May and complete his welding degree within the next year. “I fell in love with welding the first time I checked Wallace State out. I’ve always liked working with my hands, and I don’t think I could do well at a desk job. I’ve always got to be
doing something active,” Phillips said. “I was as anxious as far the accommodations were concerned when I started, but I’ve had a cutting table made especially for me that is low to the ground. If there’s anything additional I need, the program finds a way to make it work for me. It’s been awesome.” Wallace State welding instructor Jim Thompson has had many extraordinary students enroll and graduate in his program, and he puts Phillips among the top of the list. “I’m definitely proud of Grayson. There are no boundaries for him. I’ve been impressed that he doesn’t have an attitude or indicate that he should have special treatment. He tries to work hard to become a better welder each day,” Thompson said. “One of the most important things he’s taught me is anybody can do what
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Wallace State student Grayson Phillips at the beach.
they set their mind to. He should be an inspiration to us all and is a great ambassador for Wallace State.” Through his foundation, Phillips utilizes what he calls his tank chair when hunting or navigating the outdoors. “You can think of it as a small bulldozer. It’s a power chair on tracks and can go anywhere.
There’s an electrical panel at the bottom that helps you move it up and down,” Phillips said. Phillips developed a deep passion for hunting when he was 10 years old after learning more about the hobby through television. He has hunted in multiple states and his largest haul has been a 7-point buck during a Fayetteville, Tenn., trip.
“I was called the bug man growing up because I would go outside and have these big Styrofoam boards and pin bugs on them. I used to fish a lot as well, but hunting is my passion. During hunting season, I basically shut everything down,” said Phillips, who is also an Eagle Scout. Among the equipment provided by the Outdoor Ability Foundation are crossbow cocking devices, portable hunting blinds, fishing gear, skiing equipment and supplies for camping. Phillips said the foundation receives applications daily, inquiring about equipment needs. Requests have poured in from all 50 states and the foundation does its best to fulfill all needs. “The value of what we’ve raised is around $84,000. We try to do fundraisers each year with a fishing tournament and we’ve even
had a deer tournament,” Phillips said. Phillips is also a talented basketball player, participating in wheelchair basketball through the Lakeshore Foundation. As Phillips prepares for his trip to Washington D.C. and wraps up the semester, he already plans to utilize his welding skills in order to aid the foundation. “My end goal is to make chairs for the foundation. I want to make the power chairs or a variation and produce equipment in Alabama. Our closest distributor is in Atlanta, so I want to get it closer to home,” Phillips said. With the track Phillips is on, there’s no betting against him. To learn more about the foundation, visit outdoorabilityfoundation. com. To learn more about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu
DALE GREER: CEDA director stays involved with WSCC scholarship foundation FROM PAGE 4
From being a student to becoming a leader in the Foundation and his experience in economic development, Greer has direct insight into the value of Wallace State when it comes to recruiting and expanding industries. “Everything in economic development
hinges on having a quality workforce. It’s like looking down a funnel. At the beginning a company may have 25 states or communities they are considering and they begin working down to the one that can provide key elements of their needs,” Greer said. “What you see at Wallace is not just programs, but the
ability and the flexibility to offer specific training for an employer. That makes a difference when you have that kind of flexibility and show you are willing to do that for someone.” Greer said Wallace State actively participates in key recruiting by providing instructors who can talk with po-
tential industrial clients and understand and explain specific training. “I always talk about Wallace State when a potential new industry is looking at our community,” Greer said. “Workforce development is a pivotal issue in being competitive and continuing to strengthen your economy. The flexibility
and willingness of Wallace State to be a partner in the community is an advantage that is huge for us.” The future with Wallace State is exciting from Greer’s perspective. “I’m still amazed at how that experience of returning to college at Wallace was such a great time of learn-
ing and how it opened doors,” Greer said. “Whether you’re on an academic track or learning a skill or needing a certificate through additional training, I see an institution that has reached out deeply into the community and played a tremendous part in the success of Cullman County.”
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From a little town to the big time Wallace State music program graduates have achieved great success
BENJAMIN BULLARD bbullard@cullmantimes.com
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n the more than 40 years since Wallace State Community College began its music programs, its graduates have gone on to achieve careers of varying degrees of success, from performing with award-winning groups like Little Big Town to being music directors at churches with congregations of all sizes. Dr. Jim Walker, the first director of music programs at Wallace State Community College, created the Wallace State Singers and choral groups as a way to promote the college through performances at area schools, churches and within the community. “The groups did a tremendous job of getting the word out about Wallace State,” Walker said as the school prepared for its 50th anniversary and a special show by the Wallace State Singers honoring its former student performers and directors. During his 15 years as director, Walker said he saw many of his former students move on to complete their education at four-year colleges
UAB Nurse Manager Jamie Hammock: A Wallace State success story
JIM WALKER | SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Cindy and Jim Walker with Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook, center, an alumnus of Wallace State College and former performer in Walker’s Wallace State Singers. Walker was invited by the Country Music Association Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence event hosted by Little Big Town in 2017.
and become high school band directors, church music directors and some have even made a living in the entertainment industry. Some of those that stand out for Walker are David Harbison at Grace Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., Ronnie McCarson at Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, and locals like Brian Witcher and Scott Carpenter. Near the end of his
tenure, Walker directed a young man from Sumiton named Jimi Westbrook in the Wallace State Singers. Westbrook is a member of the award-winning group Little Big Town. “He was a great performer for us and he’s just continued that,” Walker said. Last year, Westbrook and members of Little Big Town honored SEE BIG TIME, P8
here’s a sort of positive feedback loop between the Wallace State Nursing program and its lengthy list of successful graduates, and no one epitomizes it better than Hanceville’s Jamie Hammock. A 1990 graduate of Wallace State’s Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program, Hammock continues to enjoy a long career that’s taken him, one stepping stone at a time, from Wallace State’s most basic point of entry into the profession all the way to an advanced degree, a management role at UAB, and student mentorship. In return, Wallace State’s reputation for producing capable and compassionate nurses continues to grow, as graduates like Hammock serve as beacons for the Nursing program in their professional roles. “I can honestly say that Wallace State prepared me for more than a career,” says Hammock. “It prepared me for a life.
When I walked in to Wallace State Community College at 19 years old, I was a longhaired, snotty-nosed, cocky little kid — and they beat submission into me, and I mean that in a very positive way. “The Nursing program — both the LPN and associate degree programs — are very evidence-based and very factual. But it’s also very psychosocial in the sense that they teach you to grow up and see the value in what you do: that those are patients in the bed, and not a side of beef. They make you take accountability for what you’re doing, and I think a lot of nursing programs don’t do that anymore.” That patient-focused point of view is enormously important in a leadership role like Hammock’s. For the past two years, he’s managed the nursing team on the neurosciences floor at UAB, stepping into a role he’d first viewed as an assistant manager for nearly two decades. “If you’ve had brain or back surgury, head trauma, complex intercranial surgeries and so on, mine
is the floor that you come to,” he explains. Hammock also leads the vascular access team at UAB, which is responsible for delicate IV insertion procedures when conventional ones won’t do. Using that first LPN certification at Wallace State as a springboard, Hammock went on to pick up his RN certification through the school’s associate degree program, eventually working his way through a master’s degree in Health Care Quality Saftey, which he’s currently finishing at UAB. He says students who start out at Wallace State can end up anywhere their heart and ambition take them. “What I think Wallace State really teaches you is that a patient is a person; not a number. What the LPN program taught me was phenomenal in that sense; I was just amazed at the level of knowledge the instructors had and the dedication they had — and the same applies for the associates’ degree program. They want you to care about patients as people — and they genuinely want you to succeed.”
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‘I wouldn’t be anywhere if it wasn’t for Wallace State’
I love this town.
Coaching, scholarship opened doors leading to Las Vegas for Barrios SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
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pcoming University of Alabama graduate Cierra Barrios is making plans for a big move. The former Wallace State Community College student will be moving to Las Vegas to work at MGM’s Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in a management associate program. She stopped by Wallace State recently to express her thanks to her former success coach Jill Strickland and WSCC President Dr. Vicki Karolewics for the support and opportunities she received while at the college. “I wouldn’t be anywhere if it wasn’t for Wallace State,” said Barrios, who was a recipient of a Presidential Transfer Scholarship from Wallace State to the University of Alabama, from where she will be graduating with honors in May. “Thank you so much,” Barrios told the president. “You don’t know how much this meant to me. I don’t know where I would be without it.” “You did it,” Karolewics told Barrios, adding Wallace State is all about opening doors for
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Cierra Barrios at 2016 Wallace State graduation.
its students, providing them with the opportunities to grow, to inspire them to dream about all that they can accomplish, and to help them succeed. “It’s about raising aspirations, to let them know they’re important and that they can dream about anything they want to do,” Karolewics said. Barrios said her dream went several different directions before she settled on one route with the help of her success coach, Strickland.
“I remember meeting her for the first time,” Barrios said of Strickland, who lent an ear and advice to her even after that first semester of official coaching. “I told her I wanted to travel and she gave me options,” she said. After changing her major a couple of times, she settled on the hospitality industry. “I sat down and said I really want to travel,” Barrios said. “She said what’s a place you could do that. She
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BIG TIME: Wallace State’s music program graduates have achieved great success FROM PAGE 6
Walker and other music instructors who influenced the artist as the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation’s CMA Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony. Walker was a surprise guest for Westbrook, chosen by Westbrook’s sister because of the influence Walker had on him during his years in the music program. Walker said about 500 people attended the event, with more than 30 music educators honored with grants from the CMA Foundation. “Over the last several years, the CMA Foundation has
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Dr. Jim Walker, center, with former Wallace State Singers director Mike Sparks and current director Tiffany Richter, from the “50 Yesterday and Today” show in 2016, celebrating the college’s 50th anniversary.
contributed $17.5 million to music teachers, primarily elementary and high school teachers,” Walker said. Walker’s appearance, along with three other teachers who influenced the band members, was
organized as a surprise for the band members. “They did not know we were there,” Walker said. “Jimi’s family was responsible for me being there. “It was really quite an
honor,” Walker said of his being asked to attend the event. Walker and his wife, Cindy, dined with Westbrook and the other Little Big Town members during the event. “These are the music teachers that shaped and changed our lives,” the band wrote on their Facebook page after the event. Since that awards ceremony, Walker has faced some health issues but said he’s hopefully getting those straightened out. Walker said no matter the level of success his students have achieved,
he’s proud to see them happy working in a career they love. He’s also proud of the fact that a scholarship was created in his name to help Wallace State students complete their education. An anonymous $10,000 donation to the Wallace State Future Foundation in 2012 established the Jim Walker Endowed Scholarship. “That was just wonderful,” Walker said. “You never feel like you deserve anything like that. It’s just wonderful that you had someone who thought that much
of you to make a donation like that.” The Future Foundation continues to accept donations to the scholarship fund. Wallace State Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts program offers music and voice performance opportunities, as well and drama, and visual arts. A Fine and Performing Arts Academy is offered to area high school students through the Fast Track Academy. For more information about Wallace State Community College, visit wallacestate.edu or call 256-352-8000.
CIERRA BARRIOS: Coaching, scholarship has opened doors leading to Las Vegas FROM PAGE 7
helped me find who I was at the same time. I cherish her.” After transferring to the University of Alabama, Barrios solidified her plans after getting a job at a locally-owned and operated Holiday Inn Express in Tuscaloosa. “I started working at a hotel and realized how much I love the hotel part of hospitality,” she said, adding her teachers were amazing. “They’re very hands on and you learn everything,” she said. “When I started working at the hotel, I knew everything they were talking about.” As graduation approached, Barrios applied for a management associate position offered by MGM Resorts.
She didn’t really know her chances at earning a position but decided to give it a shot. “I remember applying and thinking, I can just try,” she said. She made it through the first round of interviews, where she had to record herself answering questions. Then she got to the second round, which was a Skype interview. “They told me I was in the top five,” she said. “Thousands had applied and I was in the top five. I was like, oh my gosh, even if I didn’t get it, I was in the top five.” She did get the position and is now preparing for big changes. “I’ll be a management associate for all the hotel managers and operations,” she said. “I’ll be starting
out with the housekeepers’ directors and supervisors,” she said. “I work at a hotel with 109 rooms and that one has 4,000. They told me that if I can handle that, that I can do anything. “I’m excited,” she said. “I’m scared, but I’m excited.” Strickland said she is proud of Barrios’ accomplishments and is excited for her future. “As a coach, it’s very rewarding to see our students succeed in the career path they’ve chosen,” Strickland said. “I’m so happy for Cierra and all of the doors that are opening up for her. It’s a little bittersweet to see her off on this new adventure, but I’m so proud of everything that she’s accomplished and know that she will be successful in her career.”
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Cierra Barrios, center, visits with Wallace State Community College President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, left, and her former success coach, Jill Strickland, during a recent visit to the college. Barrios, who received a Presidential Transfer Scholarship to the University of Alabama, will graduate from the Capstone with honors in May and begin a year-long management associate program with MGM Resorts’ Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Lovell family proud of Wallace State roots
We are proudly supporting Wallace State Community Collage.
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Royal Technologies is an advanced engineering and manufacturing company serving industries as diverse as automotive, furniture, and consumer products. Our Cullman, Alabama facility allows us to better serve our growing customer base in the southeastern United States and to enjoy in the south the same success we’ve enjoyed in the north. Because we are an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, our employees share a tremendous sense of pride and ownership in the work they do every day. Each of us shares in the success of the company, both individually and as a whole.
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Keaton, Lynicia and Aubry Lovell are all Wallace State alumni, with Lynicia currently taking classes as a transient student while working on a bachelor degree in management at Athens State. Keaton transferred from Wallace State to Belmont University where he earned a degree in audio engineering and is currently touring as a lighting tech with Kenny Chesney. Aubry went through Wallace State’s Fast Track program, graduating with an associate degree form Wallace State before graduating high school. She’ll graduate next month from Belmont University with a bachelor degree in neuroscience.
able to reach our educational goals so that we can further our career goals,” Lynicia said. “I don’t think any of us would feel like we would have the opportunities we’ve had if we had not had the foundation of Wallace.” Lynicia started taking classes off and on before Aubry was born. As a stay-at-home mom and military wife to her husband Brian, her first
priority has always been her family. But in the back of her mind, she said she always knew she would go to college. With a long-time interest in the law, she began taking Paralegal classes at Wallace. Shortly before Aubry was born, she was offered a brief internship in the Cullman County District Attorney’s office. “A SEE ROOTS, P11
We have: • 40 injection molding presses ranging from 85 ton to 750 ton with 1500 ton capabilities • 52 Station Urethane Foam Line • Assembly with Sonic and Vibration Welding • Over 130 people working in Cullman Visit www.royaltechnologiescorp.com to view open positions.
230 County Road 1601 • Cullman, AL 35058 (877) 451-6396
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hat do a management major at Athens State, a neuroscience major at Belmont University in Nashville and a lighting tech currently on tour with Kenny Chesney all have in common? They all currently attend or attended Wallace State Community College. Oh, and they are all from the same family. Lynicia Lovell and her two children, son Keaton and daughter Aubry, are all Wallace State students and/or alumni. Lynicia is a transient student at Wallace State, taking history classes to help complete her bachelor degree in management from Athens State. She also holds an associate degree in paralegal from Wallace State. Keaton transferred from Wallace State to Belmont University, where in 2015 he earned a degree in audio engineering. Aubry will graduate from Belmont University with a degree in neuroscience, but she earned her associate degree through Wallace State’s Fast Track program the same month she earned her high school diploma. “Wallace State has been a great opportunity for all three of us to be
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Randall Shedd at an event at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.
Community colleges hold key to future DAVID PALMER dpalmer@cullmantimes.com
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andall Shedd is well known for his work through the Commission on Aging and a long political career that eventually led to a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. A two-term Cullman County Commission chairman, Fairview mayor and second-term state representative, Shedd became familiar with Wallace State Community College when he enrolled about 25 years ago on an academic track with the intent of
becoming a teacher. “The instruction was very, very good,” Shedd said. “I was fascinated by everything that was offered, the quality of the instruction and the facilities -- all were excellent. I credit Wallace State with opening a lot of doors to understanding, from literature and history to public speaking.” Shedd earned an associate’s degree, but steered away from education at the conclusion of that time as other opportunities became available. But the learning experience is something that has always proven valuable.
“From my years with the Commission On Aging, I really appreciated that Wallace State provided continuing education opportunities, the chance for lifelong learning,” Shedd said. “That was something I always encouraged anyone to take advantage of, especially in retirement as a means of remaining engaged and just for the quality of life value that comes from staying in touch with education.” As a state representative, Shedd also looks at Wallace State and other community colleges as the means of improving SEE RANDALL SHEDD, P11
Proud Supporter of Wallace State Community College 7794 US 31 Hanceville, AL 35077 Hours 8-5:00pm Monday - Saturday 73162-1
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RANDALL SHEDD: State Representative says community colleges hold key to future FROM PAGE 10
economic opportunities across the state and leading people out of poverty. “Workforce development is vital to our area and all of the state,” Shedd said. “We know that the workforce needs change and that community col-
leges have the ability to make those transitions successful. I represent almost half of Blount County and Wallace State’s new campus is almost complete. The classes are already meeting and it’s making a difference and I think it will be valuable to the future.” As a lawmaker, Shedd
‘We know that the workforce needs change and that community colleges have the ability to make those transitions successful.’ Randall Shedd State Representative
said discussions are already under way among state government officials on how to further expand the reach of community colleges into areas that are economically disadvantaged. “It could be we see mobile campuses that come to areas where there is little oppor-
tunity now,” Shedd said. “This could be an important part of helping people rise up out of poor economic conditions through education that is affordable and produces results.” Shedd said Wallace State has been an effective leader among community colleges,
helping to push Cullman County forward economically with a diverse, well-trained workforce. “Wallace State is a big plus. Communities colleges are and can play a bigger role. I think we will see more resources being provided to community colleges,” Shedd said.
ROOTS: Wallace State Community College has a hand in education of Lovell family FROM PAGE 9
had the foundation of Wallace.” Lynicia started taking classes off and on before Aubry was born. As a stay-at-home mom and military wife to her husband Brian, her first priority has always been her family. But in the back of her mind, she said she always knew she would go to college. With a long-time interest in the law, she began taking Paralegal classes at Wallace. Shortly before Aubry was born, she was offered a brief internship in the Cullman County District Attorney’s office. “A two-week internship turned into a 17-year career, which I don’t regret,” she said. Lynicia eventually earned an associate degree as a paralegal. After leaving the DA’s office, she began working for the Cullman
County Sheriff’s Office and has continued her education at Athens State, working toward a bachelor degree in management. She’s taking history classes at Wallace State as a transient student, first to save on tuition and second on the recommendation of her son, Keaton, who encouraged her to enroll is Bob Davis’s history classes. Keaton attended Wallace State from 2012 to 2013, completing his basics in preparation for transferring to Belmont University. “I knew I wanted to go to Belmont early on in high school, but I decided to be smart and save some money,” Keaton said. Belmont is a private university and more expensive. He said he initially started out wanting to be on the stage performing. “But I got involved in the technical
side of it and fell in love with it,” he said. While at Belmont learning how to be a sound engineer for studio and live events, he started interning for
“That was my first mega-stadium tour.” Last year, Keaton toured with Montgomery Gentry and this year he’s back on tour with Kenny Chesney.
‘Wallace was a good stepping stone for me. It let me see what college was all about, to step into it slowly and get some experience under my belt before I moved away from home.’
‘I don’t think any of us would feel like we would have the opportunities we’ve had if we had not had the foundation of Wallace.’
Keaton Lovell Former Wallace State student a company in Nashville, helping set up small shows and working on the lights and sound programs. When he graduated in December 2015, he took a job with that company. “They sent me on the Kenny Chesney Spread the Love tour in 2016,” Keaton said.
Lynicia Lovell Former Wallace State student Keaton said he loves life on the road and adapted to tour bus living pretty quickly. “It can be challenging for some people,” he said. They can have a lot of down time while traveling in between shows. Some of his favorite venues so far have been Pittsburg, where the stadium sits right on
the river, and Seattle, where the coffee lover could find a coffee shop on every corner. Keaton said he doesn’t regret his time spent at Wallace State. “I had some cool teachers there at Wallace,” he said. “I had Mr. Davis for history,” he said. “I absolutely loved that class. He’s a fun teacher and made the class a lot of fun. I told my mom to take his class because he was so funny and so comedic. I had Dr. Boyd for math and I’m not a big math guy. He made me enjoy math and made it a lot easier to understand. “Wallace was a good stepping stone for me,” Keaton added. “It let me see what college was all about, to step into it slowly and get some experience under my belt before I moved away from home.” Aubry feels the same. “If I would have graduated from high school
and went straight into a four-year college, I would have been completely lost,” she said. “I would not have known what to do. “It taught me responsibility, time-management skills and all kinds of things like that.” Her two years as a Fast Track student helped her prepare for attending a four-year university and put her ahead of her peers in completing her education. After a one-year detour at UAB, Aubry transferred to Belmont University in Nashville, where she will be graduating next month with a bachelor’s degree, one year ahead of her high school classmates. After a gap year, where she hopes to work in a research facility, she plans to go on and earn her master’s and doctorate in neuroscience and become a researcher.
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Wallace State alum, country music singer Kip Moore continues to churn out hits SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
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ong before country music star Kip Moore hit the airwaves and became a household name, he was strumming his guitar and belting tunes on Wallace State golf road trips or staging impromptu concerts at his Hanceville apartment. Moore, who has recorded country chart toppers like “Something’ Bout a Truck,” “Pretty Girl” and “More Girls Like You,” arrived in Hanceville in 1997 on a basketball scholarship for then-coach Paul Brown and played point guard for one season before catching the eye of Wallace State NJCAA Hall of Fame golf coach Dan York. Moore, 37, switched from basketball to golf during one offseason. “Growing up, I was all about basketball and also a fanatic for music. Everything else was just a hobby. I played basketball for one year at Wallace State. One afternoon in the offseason I was hitting balls with the golf team, and coach York saw me and asked me to come and play a round with the guys. I had a strong round and he offered me a scholarship. I played golf for two years before
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Long before country music star Kip Moore hit the airwaves and became a household name, he was strumming his guitar and belting tunes on Wallace State golf road trips.
transferring to play golf for Valdosta State,” said Moore, a member of the dean’s list while at WSCC. Moore never left his guitar too far behind on the golf road trips, and when he transferred to Valdosta State he began performing at local clubs and restaurants. After graduating college, Moore decided to take a spontaneous trip to Hawaii and lived there for six months, focusing solely on his music without any distractions. “I moved out to a hut there and surfed and
backpacked during the day and wrote songs at night,” Moore said. Moore then lived on the East Coast before moving to Nashville on Jan. 1, 2004. Moore’s debut album “Up All Night” was a massive hit when it was released in 2012, reaching platinum status. “Up All Night” produced some of Moore’s most popular songs, including the No. 1 hit “Somethin’ Bout a Truck” followed by the top five hits “Beer Money” and “Hey Pretty Girl.” Moore released his third studio album,
“Slowheart,” last September and the lead single, “More Girls Like You,” also charted as top five song. Over the past six years, Moore has been nominated by various associations as the New Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Video of the Year and Single and Music Video by a New Artist. At Wallace State, York coached Kip Moore along with his older brother, David. “David was a great golfer a couple of years before Kip came to campus. Kip did enough to make the team. He’s
a hard-nosed guy and from the old school. At the end of the day, if Kip shot a 66 or a 76, you knew it was his best effort. That was the type of competitor he was,” York said. “Kip was also a great student, but nothing I can say compares to how outstanding of a person he is. He’s a true class act.” Moore believes his competitive nature helped him navigate through trials he experienced among the country music scene. “I got kicked in the teeth after I moved to Nashville. You get told ‘no’ so many times that you don’t know what ‘yes’ sounds like. You have to have super tough skin when you move to a town like that because there are so many talented people,” Moore said. “That’s where sports helped me. I’m an extreme competitor and almost treated this journey like a sport. I didn’t get a record deal until I was living here eight years, but I was always determined to outwork everybody to get my chance.” Moore is currently touring in Australia and Canada before he returns to the United States on May 26. No matter the attention or how bright the lights shine on Moore,
he’s grateful for the backing and experiences he gained while at Wallace State. “I can honestly say some of the fondest memories of my life were the years I was there (in Hanceville). The neat thing about the school is that everyone was so tight and close knit, from students to employees. You see the same faces every day. You took the time to hang out with each other because there weren’t a lot of places to go. It was a blast,” Moore said. “It was such a tight, core group of people, and that’s what I value about it. Everyone there is your friend. “I think you build more special bonds at a place like Wallace State than you can at a bigger school.” Another country music singer, Jimi Westbrook of the group Little Big Town, attended Wallace State a few years before Moore. The college is also home to three current major league pitchers and one current professional golfer. Moore can be followed on social media @ kipmooremusic and by visiting kipmoore.net/ tour To learn more about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu
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SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Anna Parrish took a unique path to recieving her degree.
There are many paths to a degree ANNA PARRISH Special to The Times
D
eciding to get my GED wasn’t something that was planned for but it ended up being very beneficial. When I was growing up, there were certain assumptions and stigmas associated with receiving a GED rather than a high school diploma, but I
didn’t fit any of those. I was actually very smart and had already passed all of my graduation exams but I hated high school and I hated mornings. One day I just decided I was going to homeschool to finish out my high school courses. We contacted a homeschool group and they said that with their program I would have to take my
GED anyway and that I should just go do that based on my scores. So that’s what I did. I went to two GED classes and they told me I was smart and to go take it. I took the test, passed and began college at Wallace State before my high school classmates had even graduated high school. SEE ANNA PARRISH, P15
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Flight Technology/Aviation graduate Aaron Mathis giving back to WSCC through Foundation scholarship SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
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aron Mathis has had a passion for flying as long as he can remember. And, at only 22 years old, Mathis is making sure current Wallace State Flight Technology/ Aviation students have the same opportunities. Through Wallace State’s Future Foundation, Mathis has established a scholarship for future flight professionals. The inaugural scholarship will be awarded next month to a deserving Wallace State student. “I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship while at Wallace State and it helped my family tremendously. I’ve always wanted to be a flight instructor, and this is one way I can give back. My dad has always told me if someone ever gives you something, find a way to give back. I want to give students an extra boost to fulfill their hopes and degree,” Mathis said. As a Wallace State student from August 2013-May 2015, Mathis shined in the Flight Technology/Aviation program and graduated with his multi-engine commercial license. After his two years at Wallace State, Mathis at-
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Wallace State Flight TechnologyAviation graduate Aaron Mathis.
tended flight instructor training classes in Florida while living in Foley and earned the proper credentials to teach, while also enrolled at Athens State. After instructing flight classes at multiple locations, including Wallace State, Mathis accepted a pilot/first officer position with PSA Airlines in July 2016. PSA flies under the brand name of American Eagle and is
a regional airline under the American Airlines umbrella. In high school, Mathis attended Pell City and was directed to Wallace State by one of his instructors. “I was in my senior year and in flight school at the local airport in Pell City. I was told the best college options for aviation were between Auburn and Wallace State. I made a great choice. Flight training
had always interested me, and it was even more important I could go to college, earn a degree and fly an airplane as a professional,” said Mathis, who graduated from Pell City in 2013 and Wallace State in 2015. “It was also the absolute perfect scenario for me financially as far as what I wanted to do for my career and pursuing a degree.” As a pilot for American Eagle, Mathis has
the privilege of flying through historic and majestic U.S. cities on a consistent basis. On one lengthy trip last week, Mathis flew through cities such as Portland, Ore., San Bernardino, Calif., Chandler, Ariz., Stephenville, Texas and Shreveport, La. Mathis, who also earned a management of technology degree from Athens State, now lives in Charlotte, N.C., for his aerial career, but
travels back to Pell City as frequently as possible. While at Wallace State, Mathis earned the Richard Caretti Aviation Technology Scholarship through the Future Foundation. He is excited to return the favor in a couple of weeks when he’ll present his scholarship to an inaugural recipient. “I’m ready to be a mentor to someone. That’s why I put this scholarship together. I want to guide them and help them reach their goals with efficiency and affordability,” Mathis said. “It will be full circle for me. Here I was just a few years ago receiving a scholarship, and now I’ll be handing one out.” As Wallace State celebrates Community College Month, Mathis is proud to be an ambassador for the institution. “Wallace State put me ahead of the curve. I’ve never thought what life would be like without the training I received at Wallace State and I don’t want to. I would still be working very hard, but I wouldn’t have nearly made the progress I did. The opportunities I’ve gained through Wallace State have been extremely beneficial.” To learn more about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu.
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ANNA PARRISH: Wallace State graduate took a different path to her degree FROM PAGE 13
I loved Wallace State. I loved having the freedom to choose my class times (I have now become more tolerable to early mornings). I loved that no one knew me. I loved being on the school paper and getting to do design work. It was a clean slate for me with endless opportunities. While at Wallace State I took Visual Communications. I knew before starting school that I liked working with computers and being able to design things so I chose that path. But then, while working on the school paper, I learned that I also like to write and
that design and writing went hand in hand. That is when I decided to take additional classes to work toward a degree journalism. I graduated
working at a paper as a copy editor, laying out pages. As my journey continued I ended back up at Wallace State working in the Communications
I loved Wallace State. I loved having the freedom to choose my class times. I loved that no one knew me. I loved being on the school paper and getting to do design work. It was a clean slate for me with endless opportunities. Wallace State in spring of 2013 and started at The University of Alabama the following fall for journalism, but since I had taken so many arts classes I was able to double major. I graduated from UA in spring of 2015 and began
& Marketing Department, which is located inside of the Evelyn Burrow Museum. So I get to use all of my degrees within my current position in the same department that I once loved so much. That is where I am at today.
Through various sets of events while in college at UA, I discovered that I really like to help people and I am intrigued by mental illness. Once I graduated I planned to one day go back and get my master’s in some form of counseling and maybe open up a non-profit that helps people get their life back on track. Fast forward to today. I am currently participating in the Leadership Wallace State program and we took a tour of the Alabama Community College System in Montgomery. While we were there we met with the representatives from
the state’s adult education program. I found out that they have a program that helps inmates get back on track once they are out of jail/prison and I just really loved that. It fell in perfectly with what I had set my mind to. I decided at that point that I wanted to go back to school and get my master’s so that I can one day be the Director of Adult Education. I will begin my master’s in August for Career and Technical Education and can’t wait to see what the future holds for me. It would be an honor to one day direct a program that I once participated in.
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