Written by Anne Lackey
When most people hear "AI," they think of artificial intelligence — chatbots, autonomous vehicles, and smart devices. But for Olivia Braswell of Madison County, Georgia, AI means something entirely different — producing quality livestock. Thanks to a $5,000 grant from HireSmart Cares, a nonprofit supporting the next generation in...
Written by Anne Lackey
Madison County High School junior Westlynn Epps, owner of Works By Westlynn, recently received her $1,500 check from HireSmart Cares for winning first place in the MadiCo Makers Student Entrepreneur Program’s Shark Tank competition. She’s now putting the grant money into action with her business. “I have signed up for...
Written by Anne Lackey
Madison County ag mechanics instructor Josh Daniel wants his students to understand that hands-on skills can get them places in life. "Working with your hands doesn't make you any less smart than someone with a four-year degree," he said. "It's just a different skill set. We need to stop thinking...
Written by Anne Lackey
Although the school year is young, Christy Hanson already sees her Danielsville Elementary School construction students gaining confidence in their hands-on abilities. "I can see a difference already in just a couple of weeks that I've been with them," she said. Hanson said she's particularly thrilled to see girls learning...
Written by Anne Lackey
There are no “lazy days of summer” for Levi Booth. The 2024 Madison County High School graduate took off his red cap and gown and almost immediately hit the road with his dad and brother to get to work in North Carolina, constructing private student housing near Wake Forest University. ...
Written by Anne Lackey
Even in silence, Madison County's Peyton Sartain keeps a beat as works on electrical wiring. "If the song has a good beat, I like it," he said. "So, in my head, I'm just trying to play a good beat." The music in Sartain's head is a winning tune. The...