Upperclassmen connect via career aspirations

Smith-Cotton High School senior Garrett McCorkle, 17, wants to be a preacher.

He sees the Arts and Humanities career academy, instituted this year as part of the smaller learning communities program at the high school, as part of his journey.

The academy “deals with contact with people, so that’s why I chose it,” said McCorkle.

Classmate John Carroll’s career aspirations also placed him in the Arts and Humanities academy. The senior hopes to become a lawyer.

“Having these career academies ... you have those people that share your interests and give you ideas,” said Carroll, 17.

Those kinds of connections are an important part of the smaller learning communities initiative, which started last year with the freshman academy. The district received a five-year, nearly $800,000 federal grant to form the smaller learning communities.