HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susan Burton, Communications Director
Buchanan, TN -The future of Henry County’s workforce took center stage this week as Lakewood Elementary School hosted the 2026 Middle School Career Conference. The event brought together guest speakers from 17 local businesses to provide students with a firsthand look at the diverse professional opportunities available within their home community and beyond.
Led by Career Exploration Teacher Mary Ashlock, the conference is a cornerstone of the district’s commitment to early career readiness. “This is our second Career Conference to be held in our middle schools. We hold them every two years and invite local community businesses to participate,” explained Ashlock. “We have representatives from agriculture, criminal justice, small businesses, healthcare, finance and banking, education, construction, sports management, marketing, automotives, and engineering to talk with our students about how school prepares them for the world of work.”
The event was designed to be immersive and student-led. Student hosts greeted business representatives upon arrival, escorting them to designated classrooms where rotating sessions took place. This structure allowed students to engage directly with professionals in fields that aligned with their personal interests.
Prior to the event, students completed comprehensive career interest and aptitude skills assessments. They used these personalized results to target specific sessions, ensuring they learned about local career paths that matched their unique strengths.
While Lakewood Elementary kicked off the series, the Career Conference will rotate through the district to ensure all middle schoolers benefit:
May 11: Henry Elementary School
May 12: Dorothy and Noble Harrelson School
The Middle School Career Conference is a vital component of the Henry County School System’s broader mission. Through personalized advisory sessions, interest inventories, and structured career programming, the district ensures that every graduate is equipped with the knowledge and confidence to transition into college or the professional world.
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Photo: Mary Ashlock introduces Noel Cervantes (7th-grade student host) to Terrance Thomas and Carissa Jones of Joe Mahan Ford. Career Coach Jessica Lemons (center) joins in welcoming guests to the 2026 Middle School Career Conference. at Lakewood Elementary School.