1 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:23,440 Welcome to Thomasville Insights with the City of Thomasville. On the podcast, 2 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:28,240 we'll talk to experts on everything from Thomasville history and events to daily 3 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:31,800 operations and city business. All while having some fun in the process. 4 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:41,400 Welcome to Thomasville Insights with the City of Thomasville. I am your co-host 5 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:45,760 Ricky Zambrano and I've got my main man here, Austin Reames. 6 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,320 » Ricky, what a great day to be alive. How you doing today? 7 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:51,640 » Uh it it it is a good day. Got my workout 8 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:53,440 in this morning and uh made it through. 9 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,320 » That's right. Hey, >> That's the important part. Made it 10 00:00:54,800 --> 00:01:00,560 through. >> That's it and uh you know, new routines 11 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:04,239 as we get to this side of August, uh a couple of new routines coming up here 12 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:08,520 for uh our community. >> Yeah, it's back to school time so, you 13 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:13,760 know, the traffic is flowing. Um as always, a reminder, please uh be 14 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:17,640 be watchful of the uh school zones and uh you know, let's be 15 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:21,880 watchful of the kids in the school zones because they're back to school. 16 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:27,640 » That's right. That's right. So, uh we have a uh back to school uh themed 17 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:31,200 podcast and um and uh again, we have um I'll go ahead and introduce them before 18 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:35,680 we get to the interview, but we have our our guest on this show, Dr. Scott 19 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:41,440 Sweeney, who's the superintendent and also uh you'll hear from Ashley Palmer, 20 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:48,080 who is executive director of STEM and CTAE. So, STEM, just think science and 21 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:52,480 CTAE, think vocational for those of us old people like myself. Uh and also, I 22 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:54,280 had to throw in career development for Ashley Palmer as well. 23 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:57,560 » It's a lot of titles. >> It's a lot of titles. They're both from 24 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:02,080 obviously from the Thomasville City Schools. And uh some exciting man, I'm 25 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:06,440 I'm really fired up up about their program. 26 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:09,200 Really kind of we got the Youth Council, but just how they're how they're 27 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:14,640 approaching this thing. >> You know, part of this program is for 28 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:18,600 the city council to serve as mentors for each of the youth council members. 29 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:23,600 So, they will actually rotate through each each city council member. They will 30 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:28,600 have an opportunity in two different months to be mentored by a city council 31 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:32,400 member. So, each council member will mentor each 32 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:36,080 of the kids. It's 10 months, five council members. 33 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:41,400 So, they'll rotate rotate through them two times. 34 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:44,920 So, they will get access to them, connectivity. 35 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:50,640 We've connected them with them and and and that's not something that's said in 36 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:54,800 a in XYZ format. That is for the youth council member and the city 37 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:58,520 council member to dictate the terms of how that mentorship works, whether it's 38 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:02,480 a face-to-face meeting, whether it's just accessibility 39 00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:06,440 in regards to emailing them questions and talking to them, talking by phone, 40 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:09,920 or whatever the case may be. So, that's the beauty of that is that you know, 41 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:14,239 those kids will have that opportunity, like you said, to kind of get more 42 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:17,400 insight into, you know, what is a daily life, what is the 43 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:20,959 what it's like to be a city council member, what they deal with, 44 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:23,800 how they how they connect with the community, how they listen to the 45 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:26,239 community, and all those types of things. 46 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:30,360 » Yeah, it's going to be exciting. Again, here we have coming up. We got the 47 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:34,959 interview starting just now. Again, Dr. Scott Sweeting and Ashley [music] 48 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:34,959 Palmer. 49 00:03:36,807 --> 00:03:41,840 » [music] >> And hello, welcome everyone. And I just 50 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:47,200 wanted to welcome our special guest today. I have with me and with the show 51 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:51,160 Dr. Scott Sweeting. >> Great to be here. Thanks for having me. 52 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:55,120 » Yes, and newly crowned executive Ashley Palmer. 53 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:59,080 » Hey, thanks for having me. >> Yeah. [laughter] 54 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:03,320 So, congratulations on that. But, what is what is executive executive of what? 55 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:06,800 » Executive director of STEM, CTAE, and career development. 56 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:11,000 » All right. Yes. All right. Well, welcome you guys here. We're going to I'm going 57 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:13,400 to talk to Ricky for a second. So, and then we'll we'll get going in the 58 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:17,400 interview. So, >> Yeah. Yeah, you can do that. But, first 59 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:22,640 I got to say that's a whole lot of names and titles and words and 60 00:04:21,280 --> 00:04:24,520 you know what that means. >> What does that mean? 61 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,880 » It's not too important. >> Not too important. The more names 62 00:04:25,278 --> 00:04:28,640 [laughter] you get, the less important you are. 63 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:31,680 Yeah. That would explain my why my title is 64 00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:32,640 very long. Yeah. [laughter] 65 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:34,800 Exactly. >> The bigger the the bigger the business 66 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,280 card, >> the more important you are. 67 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:38,640 That's true. That's true. Oh, 68 00:04:38,378 --> 00:04:41,520 » [laughter] >> that's true. 69 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:47,400 All right, Ricky. Let's I'm going to start with you cuz you're a part of this 70 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:52,800 project. So, I wanted to pull Ricky in. And again, headed into 2026. 71 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:57,040 Our fearless city manager Chris White asked the marketing team with 72 00:04:54,440 --> 00:05:01,360 implementing the city's first ever City of Thomasville Youth Council. And Ricky 73 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:04,800 tried to join the Youth Council rather than guide it. But, anyway, that's 74 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:10,000 another story. But, why is this initiative important, Ricky? 75 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:15,919 » Well, I mean it it's the the bigger part of it is actually this process started 76 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:18,760 dating back, you know, about 8 years, 10 years. And and Dominic [clears throat] 77 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:22,600 Ford, our chief HR officer, 78 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:26,720 was one of those that was kind of leading the way, doing the research. And 79 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:31,360 so, there's been there's been layers done throughout the years. And you know, 80 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:35,360 Chris White, you know, last year really committed to it and said, "Let you know, 81 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:39,680 let's get this done." And you know, here's what was interesting that this 82 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:44,360 gentleman sitting on my left shoulder was hired on when Dr. Sweeten took took 83 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:48,280 over at the city school system. He came in to meet with me. And he's 84 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:53,880 like, "You know, all these all this excitement all these ideas and 85 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:56,640 all this that and I'm just like Yeah, we've got a we've got a big one 86 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,880 that's going to really going to get you excited and then I mentioned to you he's 87 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:00,920 like, oh my goodness. 88 00:06:00,254 --> 00:06:03,560 » [laughter] >> Is that what he really sounded like? 89 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:06,200 » what he really sounded like. >> Took all the air out of the room. 90 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:09,600 » Yeah, for [laughter] real. >> No wonder he's an executive. 91 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:12,320 » I I think that's why we have to That's why we got to redo the municipal 92 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:16,440 cuz they think he damaged it from the excitement. 93 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:19,800 But but yeah, I mean obviously you know, as soon [snorts] as Ashley and I 94 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:24,000 discussed it it was it was just like yeah, it's it's it's a no-brainer in 95 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:27,240 regards to you know you know, how do we how do we how do we 96 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:30,880 get that done? But but again going back a step, you know, when we when we look 97 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:35,120 at this you know, we are tasked with being 98 00:06:32,280 --> 00:06:38,919 leaders of this community as an organization and 99 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:43,240 you know, that starts with our city council. It starts with our our city 100 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:47,360 leadership and you know, what a great opportunity this is in order to try and 101 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:50,880 impact the future leaders of our community. So so really when it comes 102 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:53,680 down to it it's it's just like the internship program attempts to do as 103 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:57,240 well. You know, impact the local kids that are 104 00:06:55,360 --> 00:07:00,760 already in college. You know, we've kind of got a little system going here where 105 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:03,720 you know, we've got the college internship. Now we've got the youth 106 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:08,680 council that addresses 107 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:13,720 sophomores, juniors and seniors. And and then below that, you know, we have our 108 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:19,280 summer youth leadership academy that also is available to to kids that 109 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:23,440 are in eighth and ninth grade. So you know, we've got got a little train going 110 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:27,720 here of trying to make an impact the students in our community and and we 111 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:31,200 certainly hope that as the years come we continue to see that. 112 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:35,320 » Well, this is a partnership with Thomasville City Schools. Why is this 113 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:40,760 partnership valuable? >> So so as we as we worked on this 114 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:45,320 and as we did the research we found that the municipalities across the state that 115 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:50,200 are that do have already a youth council in place have all 116 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:54,080 partnered with a school system or a local school. You know, in some areas 117 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:57,320 they may only have one school system and one high school. 118 00:07:55,520 --> 00:08:01,200 In our area we're blessed, we truly are blessed to have two two school systems 119 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:05,000 that and a third school in Brookwood obviously that that you know, do a great 120 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:09,760 job for the community and and and educating our students. 121 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:14,280 But you know, we are we are the city of Thomasville. These [snorts] are partners 122 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:19,000 within within our city limits and you know, this was the route this was the 123 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:24,880 route to go. But the bigger part here is of why a school, why connecting with a 124 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:29,560 school is having all the same kids under the same roof is important. 125 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:33,200 It allows for a lot more it allows to for the schedule to work 126 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:36,440 out the way we need it to work out throughout a year. 127 00:08:34,719 --> 00:08:40,599 It also allows for the opportunity for the school 128 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:44,800 to take on other duties as well to continue to educate them on on the 129 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:50,880 importance of civics. Allows the schools to monitor you know, how the process is 130 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:55,960 going. So it should not just be a hey, you're on the youth council and when you 131 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:58,920 graduate you're done. It's a process. 132 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:03,656 » All right, well now let's make this interview not about 133 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:06,040 Ricky and go to our guest. Um >> [laughter] 134 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:08,240 » Now good job Ricky and but uh I do >> I don't need you to tell me it's a good 135 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:10,160 job. I mean 136 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:14,080 Yeah. >> All right. Um so let's let's try to make 137 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:19,720 this show interesting and talk to our guest. Um so 138 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:24,280 same question to you Dr. Sweety. Why why's this important for city schools? 139 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:28,480 » I'll make this podcast more exciting. That's a high bar. I'm sorry. I will try 140 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:33,360 my best though. But yeah, we are we're we're really excited as as as 141 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:37,880 Ricky talked about, you know, providing these kids 142 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:41,680 experience uh know, while they are still in high school, 143 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:45,600 um giving them exposure, um career exposure, um the opportunity to bring 144 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:48,800 mentorship, you know, through our Bulldog Plus One initiative. It's all 145 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:54,280 about trying to uh be extremely intentional about giving 146 00:09:51,120 --> 00:10:00,600 kids um exposure to and opportunities and experiences to um different career 147 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:05,680 paths. Um this obviously giving uh these kids um 148 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:09,160 real-world application uh to be able to see what, you know, civic duty is all 149 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:13,840 about and see if there's something that, you know, not only to be a well-informed 150 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:18,600 citizen, um but also maybe it's a possible career path for them. And so, 151 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:23,080 um like I've told Ashley, we've had many conversations about watching all what 152 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:26,480 all these kids are doing um when they when they uh when they have one of these 153 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:32,280 experiences opportunities, but living vicariously through them um and and 154 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:35,360 feeling their excitement um for the learning that that that that that's 155 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:40,880 occurring and the exposures that they're getting. Like I said, all before they 156 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:45,000 even uh graduate high school. And so, um you know, that gets kids excited about, 157 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:49,000 you know, their future, uh gives them purpose, and um 158 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:53,400 in the same token, that's going to lead to better grades because all of a sudden 159 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:57,600 school becomes uh more applicable to them, becomes important. Uh they see the 160 00:10:55,360 --> 00:11:01,160 value. And so, that's uh you know, that's that's that's the whole idea 161 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:05,360 behind our um you know, our Bulldog Plus One initiative, which this is a this is 162 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:08,360 just been a great addition to that. >> Ashley, you know, there was a there was 163 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:11,600 a nomination process that was put in place. 164 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:16,240 Um you know, talk to us about how the students were identified. 165 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:19,360 » Well, so as you know, our students are obviously our of most importance for us, 166 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:21,680 and we want to make sure [clears throat] 167 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:27,480 that every student graduates with that clear purpose of enrolled, employed, or 168 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:31,480 enlisted. And And And so, with that, uh our teachers, they're they're the ones 169 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:36,680 that know the students the best. So, we asked them if they would uh 170 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:41,600 nominate students. We uh they they put forth uh throughout the uh school about 171 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:44,960 10 to 15 students that they they nominated. And then the students had an 172 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:49,080 application they had to fill out that listed uh references, that listed why 173 00:11:47,680 --> 00:11:54,440 they would be a good uh council member. And then uh we had a 174 00:11:52,320 --> 00:12:00,280 committee that met uh with staff uh at the school, teachers, 175 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:02,600 administrators, uh myself. Uh Mr. Zambrano was there as well as an 176 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:04,200 advisory role. >> Mr. Ricky 177 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:05,600 » Yeah, Ricky. Ricky was there. >> Just Ricky? 178 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,600 » Yeah, that's right. Well, yeah. >> My daddy is? 179 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:11,120 » Hey. With [laughter] uh with an executive With an executive 180 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:14,080 executive Mr. Ricky Zambrano. >> I don't know where he gave himself that 181 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:16,480 title. That's the problem. >> I just I just gave it to you. 182 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:18,080 » I [laughter] used to have it before. >> Thank you, Doc. 183 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,813 » Oh, but he he was there. >> I like that one over what Austin likes 184 00:12:19,720 --> 00:12:22,833 to call me. >> [laughter] 185 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:28,440 » No, other title. >> Three letter three word statement that 186 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:30,800 he often makes about me. But it was a That was an important way to do it 187 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:34,440 because we didn't want it Well, we really didn't want it to happen was it 188 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:38,240 to be a popularity contest um of oh, this kid's elected cuz you 189 00:12:36,560 --> 00:12:41,680 know, he's the one that everybody likes the most or she's elected cuz everybody 190 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:44,960 when everybody likes the most. And so, that was that was that was that was very 191 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:47,880 key to to have a a selection process in that way that went through an 192 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:53,000 application. We also want to be very intentional about making sure that we 193 00:12:49,560 --> 00:12:58,680 had equal representation of our grades and of our uh 194 00:12:55,360 --> 00:13:01,600 on-level students and our uh students that are in our [snorts] scholars 195 00:12:59,839 --> 00:13:04,400 program. And the reason that's important is because 196 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:07,600 uh in the community, you know, you're going to have uh 197 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:14,040 folks that work in many different fields, you know, and and I think that 198 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:18,000 what has often maybe been felt is uh do all voices have a say in local 199 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:20,680 municipalities and in local government. And so, that was what we were striving 200 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:25,360 to to to achieve there. So, I think we're exposing uh students to this 201 00:13:22,839 --> 00:13:27,760 through this process that that uh for for many of them it'll be a very unique 202 00:13:26,560 --> 00:13:31,800 time learning about about the government. That was That was 203 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:35,160 kind of an intentional process of selecting students 204 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:39,000 that uh would be the best for the job. 205 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:43,040 » I'll tell you what, the committee, um you know, having met the with the kids 206 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:45,880 now a couple times, they knocked it out the park. Great 207 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:49,720 great group of kids and we're really excited to work with them. 208 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:54,720 » All right. Well, let's get to it, Dr. Sweeney. Tell us the names and and the 209 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:58,600 years or just even the names of the youth council members. 210 00:13:56,080 --> 00:14:04,480 » Yeah, I'm very excited to to to to list these names. So, we've got 211 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:10,400 Lily Bella Richardson. Uh we have Cameron Showkat. 212 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:16,840 We have Jayla Brooks. Zachary Fan and John Adiyeye. So, very 213 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:21,000 excited, very very very proud of these students. And like I said before, living 214 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:25,640 vicariously through them. We're we're excited for them. So, can't wait to see 215 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:30,880 all that they get to experience and and hear about you know, I plan on having 216 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:34,000 them on my podcast eventually and and have them and and talk about their 217 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:36,280 experiences and what they've learned. So. 218 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:39,160 » Yeah, that's going to going to be fun and 219 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:41,600 » Hey, is that a permissible? That That wasn't in the contract. 220 00:14:40,985 --> 00:14:45,839 » [laughter] >> Plug it. Plug it now. 221 00:14:43,839 --> 00:14:50,480 » That's like a That's a first. >> We're not in competition. 222 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:52,080 » First, let's mark down that day. Hit that subscribe button. 223 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:54,440 » Yeah, that's right. >> I didn't say it at the Bulldog Plus One 224 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:57,480 Podcast. That's [laughter] what I didn't say about it. 225 00:14:54,920 --> 00:15:00,360 » Yeah, wherever podcasts are sold. >> Apple Music 226 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:05,200 » Yeah, [laughter] that's true. >> We can have him to do the outro. 227 00:15:02,839 --> 00:15:06,760 » Or or can they come in and be host? >> That's [laughter] right. 228 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:09,600 » They might replace us. >> Replace us. 229 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:12,320 » Maybe they're AI like we were talking about. 230 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:14,960 » They both have good, you know, strong voices. They are real audience. They're 231 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,680 not AI. >> And I'm sure they could hit record 232 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:20,640 better than us. >> That's [laughter] true. I was My record 233 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:22,600 button was having a problem today. >> What has as as guys? You guys have got a 234 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:27,080 more equipment. >> But but I will add on to this. You know, 235 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:31,640 we went through that entire process and we come to find out when we 236 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:36,720 presented the the the group to to our city council in in May 237 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:38,760 that one of the students selected is the daughter of one of our employees. 238 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:42,520 » Okay. >> Went through the entire process, did not 239 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:45,760 did not even know that until at the city council meeting, you know, 240 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:50,160 dad was there. Uh that's Jayla Brooks. Um so I mean 241 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:53,120 that that that that was awesome. >> So uh 242 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:57,520 Ricky, you got the next question? Is this one on me? So uh 243 00:15:55,360 --> 00:16:01,680 So Ashley, the earlier in the month the council participated in their 244 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:04,720 orientation session and um they're going to later in the month they're going to 245 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:08,640 participate in the field trip to our city facilities. Uh 246 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:12,800 Tell us tell us about that part that that you're most excited about and and 247 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:15,720 don't say the studio uh in the podcast room cuz you know, we 248 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,240 know you'd be lying. >> the kids. 249 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:18,680 » But uh >> How about you, Ashley? 250 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:23,120 » Yeah, that's right. What are [laughter] you what are you excited about? 251 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:26,760 » Well, besides the studio, no, so for me um 252 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:32,400 it things for students can the classroom can often feel separate from 253 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:36,400 real life, if if you will. And and we we really believe strongly at our school 254 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:38,839 that uh our school exists for the community and the community for the 255 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:43,520 school. And so having these students just gain this familiarity with the way 256 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:46,600 local government works. Uh there are there are so many people in 257 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:50,240 town um you know, grown and otherwise that don't 258 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:53,200 don't have a complete under- standing and and this is the town we live in and 259 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:56,080 this is a way that you can get involved and and these are things that you can do 260 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:59,839 to serve your community and do it make it better. Thomasville has done such a 261 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:03,920 great job of growing and and improving the this town. Uh I've watched we've 262 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:06,360 watched. Uh you've been here. We we grew up here, Austin, and we've seen the 263 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:09,240 changes. >> You struck you out, didn't he? 264 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:12,040 » Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, struck me out in Little League. He sure did. Yeah. And uh 265 00:17:11,079 --> 00:17:14,920 still a little bitter about that, but that's okay, [laughter] you know. Um and 266 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:18,520 I'd never seen a lefty before. What am I going to do with that, you know? Uh but 267 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:22,520 for the kids, they're going to get familiarity at a younger age. You know, 268 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:26,839 they're meeting community leaders, and these connections 269 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:30,040 the networking that happens in that is what excites me the most because they're 270 00:17:28,199 --> 00:17:33,200 going to have an understanding at a younger age that we didn't have 271 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:36,880 um at our age or their age when we were 272 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:40,240 when we were when we were younger. And that's going to make a a huge difference 273 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:42,920 in in their career choices, their career path, and the way they come back and 274 00:17:41,360 --> 00:17:46,120 serve and help their community. Even if they don't choose to work in government, 275 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:48,800 they're going to be able to be involved in making informed decisions to make 276 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:52,200 Thomasville a better place. >> And if I could just 277 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:56,520 piggyback on that, I you know, we we've talked a lot about 278 00:17:53,840 --> 00:18:00,000 being in truly well, truly truly living out what it means to have have a 279 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:03,440 village, you know, you need a village to raise it help raise a child, you know, 280 00:18:01,360 --> 00:18:07,200 it does take a village. And so, you know, that is that is 281 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:11,720 what we are asking the community, you know, the school system cannot do it 282 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:15,520 alone, right? And so, we need the community. We need businesses, we need, 283 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:18,880 you know, other the school systems, you know, 284 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:25,200 civic groups, community members to to help us raise 285 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:28,480 these children and help them become, you know, productive members of society and 286 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:32,600 and and you know, help find their their passion 287 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:36,520 for what they want to do in life. And so, you know, that is that is we're 288 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:40,800 being very very purposeful about that and and realizing that hey, we cannot do 289 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:44,440 this alone. We we need we need the whole we need everybody. We need the city 290 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:47,640 council, you know, we need, like I said, local businesses to help come in and 291 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:50,200 give these kids these experiences and opportunities that are going to help 292 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:55,840 them thrive. >> You know, we we talk about impact. 293 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:58,360 And you know, what type of experience do you believe 294 00:18:57,360 --> 00:19:02,240 you know, this will have on their current educational experience? 295 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:06,840 » Yeah, I think that obviously they they gain a much stronger civic knowledge, 296 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:11,040 you know, through this specific program. As I mentioned before, you know, a real 297 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:15,160 world application, Um, know, through your you know, city council, you guys 298 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:19,720 get involved in, you know, doing some research, data analysis, you know, 299 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:23,600 looking at public speaking, writing, budgeting, problem solving, you know, 300 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:26,920 all these things that that kids need to learn at a young age, you know, critical 301 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:30,640 thinking. Um, this is also going to give them, you 302 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:35,160 know, the ability to test out, you know, their leadership, uh, gain help them 303 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:38,520 gain confidence. Uh, like I said, you may have a Jayla Brooks there, might be 304 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:41,800 future mayor, you know, who it's a it runs in the blood, so she's getting 305 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:45,880 great experience now being able to do this while she's in high school. Um, 306 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:49,600 this is going to, you know, obviously, doing all these things outside of the 307 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:53,360 classroom is actually going to, uh, give them greater engagement, I think, in 308 00:19:51,360 --> 00:19:57,760 school, you know. Um, when students see that their ideas can influence, um, you 309 00:19:55,920 --> 00:20:01,880 know, parks and transportation and safety and recreation, all these things, 310 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:05,880 they're going to be a lot more likely to engage in learning, uh, in the classroom 311 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:09,560 cuz all of a sudden, what they're doing with their teachers in the classroom 312 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:13,160 seems a lot more, um, important, seems, uh, uh, has purpose. 313 00:20:11,720 --> 00:20:17,640 Um, like I mentioned before, through Bullock Plus One, this is a part of that 314 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:20,680 career exposure and mentorship, um, that we're providing for these students, you 315 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:24,320 know, while they're in in high school. And of course, 316 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:27,640 you know, people people want to hear from the youth, right? This cuz this is 317 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:31,000 going to give these students a strong This is a stronger student voice that 318 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:35,080 you guys are providing by by allowing them to be on the council. So, um, you 319 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:39,120 know, this is a very well-designed council and it's going to give, um, you 320 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:42,480 know, city leaders direct insight into all their youth pers- pectives and and 321 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:46,520 and youth want to be heard. They want They want to know that their voice is is 322 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:50,480 heard and and they want to be able And they have great ideas, you know. Um, a 323 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:53,680 lot of times youth can be discounted, you know, they're just young, they don't 324 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:58,240 know, but they have they have some wonderful, wonderful ideas and can 325 00:20:55,240 --> 00:21:02,000 really add to, um, our community. >> And and and if we look at it from the 326 00:20:59,920 --> 00:21:07,600 perspective, let's just say 5 years down the road, um, or five Let's just say 5 327 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:12,400 years from when they graduate, You know, what would be your hope 328 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:15,760 that this experience brings to them 5 years from the point that they're done 329 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:19,880 serving on the council? >> Well, you know, my my hope is in in not 330 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:23,400 just for the council members, but also for for all these students that we're 331 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:30,000 working with that, you know, we we want to we you've got a lot of wonderful, 332 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:34,240 bright, young minds in our schools. And I want to I want to keep a lot of those 333 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:37,320 bright, young minds. Too often, um the a lot of these students feel like I've got 334 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:41,640 to leave Thomasville go to Atlanta to to find a good job or be able to do 335 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:45,440 anything with my career. But, I want to encourage those to stay here in 336 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:50,440 Thomasville. You know, stay local. Um and help grow this town um because um 337 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:54,080 you know, we'll we'll take all of the great, wonderful, bright minds we can 338 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:57,840 get, you know? And so, I hope that yeah, 5 years down the road that once they've 339 00:21:55,840 --> 00:22:02,040 graduated that they they do come back, you know, after they either they've, you 340 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:07,320 know, got a their college degree or they've got some kind of technical 341 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:10,640 expertise um that they um want to come back and they want to give back and 342 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:13,240 contribute to to the city of Thomasville. 343 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:18,120 » And that and that's such a key part because there's so many ways to give 344 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:21,520 back. Um you know, and and and that's the that's the key part of it is 345 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:25,040 uh you know, one of the things we discussed with them as you bring that up 346 00:22:23,120 --> 00:22:30,400 in the orientation was uh the value of all of our 450 347 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:33,960 employees, for example. Um that it's not that the city manager is the most 348 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:38,280 important. You know, when our solid waste uh truck drivers are out on their 349 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:42,640 route, at that moment they're the most important. When the electricity goes 350 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:46,640 out, the electric team is is the most important. So, you know, when public 351 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:50,640 safety, when they're out on patrol, they're the most important. So, everyone 352 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:54,320 has their role to play and each each is of equal value. And that's one of the 353 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:59,040 things that we hope that as part of this, you know, we're able to extend on 354 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:03,040 to them is how many different ways they can make an impact, 355 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:06,840 not just through our organization, but just in the community um as well. So, 356 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:09,880 » Absolutely. >> But Dr. Sweeting, Ashley, executive 357 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:11,680 director >> Hey, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 358 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,860 » Um >> Glad to see you guys got you all's 359 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,640 executive titles today as well. [laughter] 360 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:19,096 » Yeah, for the day. It's like adopted. It's like honorary. 361 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:22,720 » We'll get you a name tag. >> [laughter] 362 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:22,720 » We've got a couple of those. 363 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:27,720 But we appreciate you guys being here. Did we Did we Anything 364 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:29,840 that that we left out? Anything you guys like to add? 365 00:23:28,360 --> 00:23:32,840 » Just as as as I think we said, just thank you to the to the city for for 366 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,840 allowing this, for all of y'all to putting this together, and 367 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:38,720 what it means to the students. There's just not enough not enough thanks to be 368 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:41,880 said because of the doors that'll open for them. We haven't even seen them all 369 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:45,120 yet. So, >> Yeah, and now you get to experience the 370 00:23:43,360 --> 00:23:49,080 best part cuz Austin is going to talk to us about our 371 00:23:47,360 --> 00:23:52,080 "Did You Know?" segment. Austin, you want to jump right into that? 372 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:57,920 » All right, here we go. In honor of the bicentennial this year, the 2026 podcast 373 00:23:55,200 --> 00:24:02,040 will include Thomasville history "Did You Know?" segment with information 374 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:06,120 provided to us by the fantastic Thomasville History Center. 375 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:10,600 Let's get to it. And you know, Ashley you know, probably 376 00:24:08,120 --> 00:24:14,080 knows our history more than all the rest of us combined. So, he could probably 377 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:18,920 fill fill us in, color this information for us. But did you know that in 1889, 378 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:25,520 Saint Thomas Church and First Presbyterian Church are built? 379 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:30,640 Also in 1889, electricity is introduced to Thomasville. 380 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:36,520 And also the Southern Enterprise and Thomasville Times newspaper merge to 381 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:42,800 create the Thomasville Times Enterprise. And then lastly, in 382 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:48,320 1890, the Thomasville County population stands at 26,000 383 00:24:45,520 --> 00:24:52,320 154. So, population boom. That's you know, 384 00:24:50,560 --> 00:24:55,840 right in the middle of the resort era for the city of 385 00:24:53,920 --> 00:25:00,760 Thomasville when a lot of northerners were coming in. So, a lot of stuff a lot 386 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:04,320 of history was happening at that time. So, yep. 387 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:06,240 » Yeah, how about that? >> Yeah, that's a large population at that 388 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:08,000 time. >> Yeah, 389 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:13,080 it was huge. Big city. >> Uh and apparently it still is a little 390 00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:17,680 bit controversial that that Yankees were coming in at that time or you know, 391 00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:21,120 pretty close to the Civil War and >> not use that word Yankees? 392 00:25:19,360 --> 00:25:23,480 » Oh, yeah. [laughter] Okay, northerners. Northerners, okay. 393 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:26,520 » It's offensive. >> Yeah, I'm a Mets fan. 394 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:28,760 » Well, that's true. Okay. >> You can call me anything else. 395 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:32,400 » Anything else. >> You don't need to be Mets. It could be a 396 00:25:30,520 --> 00:25:36,760 lot of other things. But just don't say that word. 397 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:40,120 » That's right. Northerners coming in and so it's kind of controversial. That's 398 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:44,000 right. It's kind of controversial to this day. 399 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:48,440 To this day people still kind of there are counties that are not happy with 400 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:51,840 Thomasville, [music] Thomas County for being welcoming to 401 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:54,760 to northerners. >> To Mets fans. 402 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:58,840 » People like Mets. That's right. We only have three in our city. Three Mets fans. 403 00:25:56,920 --> 00:26:01,800 So, there [laughter] we go. >> We've got more than three. 404 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:04,880 » All right. Ricky, upcoming events. 405 00:26:03,640 --> 00:26:08,480 » Uh things are a little quiet right now. So, 406 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:13,000 we invite everybody to come out to our as as always come out to our public 407 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:17,680 meetings and you know, we do remind everyone to visit public meetings 408 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:22,440 calendar at thomasville.org for meeting dates, times and locations. A lot of 409 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:25,880 changes due to the municipal building renovation. So, a lot of the meetings 410 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:30,920 being held across the city. So, please be be sure 411 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:35,840 to check out the calendar and know where your favorite meeting is being held. 412 00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:39,400 » All right. I just want to thank everyone for listening to the show. Thank our 413 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:43,760 guests, [music] Dr. Scott Sweeney and Ashley Palmer, Executive Ashley Palmer. 414 00:26:41,880 --> 00:26:47,560 And again, appreciate you listening. Please subscribe 415 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:51,760 on your favorite listening app and we will talk to you next time. 416 00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:55,960 » You've been listening to Thomasville Insights with the city of Thomasville. 417 00:26:54,200 --> 00:26:58,080 The show is produced by the city of Thomasville marketing department. 418 00:26:57,868 --> 00:27:02,640 » [music] >> The show's music is by pond5.com. 419 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:07,720 To learn more about the city of Thomasville, visit thomasville.org or 420 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:11,600 follow us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast 421 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:16,040 on your favorite listening app so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for 422 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:16,040 listening.