Finding Your Calling (10/26/2025)

Class Day #2 was hosted by Huntingdon College and was focused on the students taking steps to find their calling. The class was opened up with a presentation by Dr. Anthony Leigh, the president of Huntingdon College. He shared why he believed Huntingdon is a special place and answered questions by the students. After he finished, Huntingdon's student president, DeJon Gibby (a JAG High School Alum), was able to share his experience and the decision he made to attend a local college coming from a Montgomery Public School.

The next hour was spent thinking critically about what the students may be called to become. Jameson Stephens, a LINC Director, walked the students through the S.H.A.P.E exercise, which was created for people to list out their gifts and abilities in order to see themselves as a unique and talented person. The end goal of having deep conversations about what the future could look like for each of the students was accomplished, and this time flowed right into our final presentation of the day,

We had five amazing people working in different fields all around Montgomery be a part of our career panel. The students got to hear how each one of them found their way into their current job, the colleges they attended and why, and what they have enjoyed about their career path. There was plenty of time for the students to ask each panel member questions and network with them after the panel ended as well, as we all enjoyed dinner together (provided by Moes BBQ). The panel members are listed below.

President Leigh and SGA President Gibby kicked off class. What a joy to have the president of the college spend so much time with the students and to have the SGA president be a hometown student from JAG High School.

Our Career Panel (from left to right):

(standing up) Dr. Patrick Schmucker: Former military and police officer, current Huntingdon College Professor of Criminal Justice

Dr. Derick Bothwell: Huntingdon Professor of Athletic Training / Physical Therapist

Effie Hawthorne: Associate General Counsel at the Alabama Board of Examiners

Jannah Bailey: President and CEO of River Region United Way

Austin Smith: Environmental Engineer

Big thanks to current Huntingdon College student Cameron Cole (pictured outside of Flowers Hall) for helping everything run smoothly from set-up to clean up.