Explore Success draws hundreds of 8th graders to Hempstead Hall

HOPE – Explore Success was held at Hempstead Hall on Wednesday. This is a program to introduce eighth graders to local industries. This was a response to a plea from local industries to the Economic Development Offices. Eighth graders were decided to be the best since they had to take career development anyway.

The program started with 1,700 students and reduced to the more manageable size of 900. Dr. Tyler Carver was chosen to speak because his connection to social media he can connect with the students.

The program started with an introduction by Dr. Crossley who talked about being the first one to go to college and the important role the students would play.

Dr. Crossley introduced Dr. Carver who started by asking the students what they wanted to be as an adult. Responses included marine biologist, paleontologist, football player and plastic surgeon. Dr. Carver talked about how in contrast to the past where someone simply worked a job they may not have enjoyed, with the leveraging of social media people could do things they enjoyed and make money that way. He said the most important thing you could do is to keep moving forward. Carver said even things which seemed useless in school still added to students’ skill sets. Dr. Carver said a number of the students would work at jobs that don’t currently exist.

Dr. Carver asked the students who their favorite YouTuber was and received enthusiastic answers. He told the students to be authentic as dramatic changes don’t go well in a YouTube. He warned the students not to use Chat GPT without asking their teacher first.

Dr. Carver said there were three things’ employers looked for: personality, smart enough (able to learn) and hardworking.

The exhibits included Pafford EMS, the Hope Fire Department, Hope Police, AR Game and Fish, welding, word working, funeral home, Weyerhaeuser, and healthcare.

Wood working, welding and the Fire Department were some of the favorites. Students loved sitting in the driver’s seat and setting off the siren. The police department also drew some interest and students laid down on the stretcher in Pafford’s Ambulance.

Participating classes included Hope, Nashville, Ashdown, Foreman, Bearden, Fouke, Prescott, Spring Hill, Lafayette, Blevins, Strong, Hampton, Harmony Grove and Taylor.