TUSCUMBIA-Seventh grade Educational Talent Search participants from Florence Middle School, Tharptown High School, Sheffield Jr. High, Deshler Middle School, Russellville Middle School, and Phil Campbell High School enjoyed a career experience, visiting the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art on Wednesday, January 31. Students learned first-hand about careers in the music industry as well as in the applied arts.
Students were entertained at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame by Kerry Gilbert and Hugh Banks of the Kerry Gilbert Band. Several students were able to join Gilbert and Banks in an impromptu jam session. The musicians talked with the students about careers in music, and the importance of hard work and strong ethics in whatever field one chooses. A tour of the Music Hall of Fame museum followed the performance, and students were able to learn about local and statewide musicians. Museum curator John Moseley introduced the students to the museum and the musicians.
The ETS students also visited the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art to view an exhibit entitled “Veiled” by ceramic artist Aaron Tennessee Benson. Benson teaches art at the University of North Alabama; he brought three ceramic majors from UNA, who spoke with the Talent Search students. The UNA students also demonstrated several methods for working with clay, and discussed their career plans with the younger students. Mary Settle Cooney of the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art opened the session with the artist and museum exhibit.
The mission of Educational Talent Search is to identify students who have the intellectual ability and desire to continue their education beyond high school, but who need help exploring careers and educational requirements. The program gives students the opportunity to visit colleges to learn about different programs to study. The goal of Talent Search is to prepare young people to enter and complete a post-secondary educational program.
Educational Talent Search has been continuously funded by Congress since its creation in 1965. NW-SCC has been awarded the Talent Search federal grants to serve students in area schools since the early 1970’s. NW-SCC houses three Talent Search grants that cover a broad area in the northwest Alabama region.
Media Release/Jane Tinkham, Talent Search Coordinator Phil Campbell Project/Northwest Shoals Community College
