A group of local high school students heard from a firsthand example of how being from a small town doesn’t mean one can’t have a positive impact upon the world.
Kelley Eckels Currie, United States representative on the United Nations Economic and Social Council, visited Thomas County Central High School Tuesday, Feb. 20. Currie, a 1987 graduate of Central High School (and her class’ STAR student), returned to her alma matter to share her experience and insight with current students.
“I’m very passionate about the things I do in my job every day,” Currie told students. “Trying to help other countries to enjoy the freedoms and prosperities that we have here in the United States animates everything I do. And working with other people to help them build the kind of institutions we have and enjoy the freedoms we have is something that has always been important to me. I’ve managed to construct a career around doing that, but there’s no one way to do that.”
Currie was introduced by Karen Jones, assistant principal. The two women have known each other since they were young and attended school together. Jones asked Currie to give the presentation.
“I feel it is important to bring back successful alumni to show our students that there are unlimited possibilities for the future,” Jones said. “Kelley is a great success story.”
Interested students involved in government classes, Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, student ambassadors, and student council were invited to attend.
American Government/Civics teacher Caitlin Muse was excited to hear Currie’s personal story and about her work with the U.N. Muse took her honors government class to the event.
“I felt these students could benefit from hearing the story of a high achieving Central High School student who has gone on in life to do impressive work,” she said.
Currie holds the rank of ambassador. She told students that, at her confirmation hearing, she credited her former teacher Annelle Fudge (retired) for inspiring her to pursue her interests in government, the law, the U.N. and etc.
“One of the main reasons I am where I am today is because she inspired me to be who I am and helped to shape me as the person I am,” Currie said.
She also spoke about her interest in human rights and why she chose to accept the invitation to work with current United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. At the time, Currie said she was working to help promote political democracy in Burma, a post she genuinely enjoyed. However, she felt it would be a true honor to represent her country in an organization like the U.N.
“I can’t even describe to you the feeling I get when I sit in the chair with the United States in front of my name and I am speaking on behalf of our whole country to the world,” Currie said. “It gives me chills, still, every time I do it.”
Currie answered participants’ questions about working with different countries, how foreign policy changes under new administrations, the difficulties of her job, the United States’ role within the U.N., and her interest in promoting humanitarian issues like how armed conflict affects children and economic growth in developing countries.
She also gave students advice about having good leadership skills, having personal integrity and a strong set of principles, classes to take if they were considering a career in her field and being open-minded.
“Don’t close yourself off from paths,” Currie said. “Follow what interests you and try to find a career that is in line with something that you love to do. It doesn’t matter where you start out from – I hope you will all retain your interest in government and international affairs and see it can carry you places and take you to interesting stops along the way.”
Muse was extremely impressed with the questions students asked Currie.
“It was clear that many were inspired by her story,” she said. “I hope my students gained a greater understanding of how the United Nations functions and the U.S. goals within the organization, but also an understanding of how to pursue big dreams. She encouraged the students to consider our state universities and the HOPE scholarship as great starting points to a national career, and to always be open to new possibilities that come their way, even if it will take them far from home.”
Freshman Macey Kirkendoll attended as part of the school’s student council.
“I could tell she liked what she does and is really passionate about it,” Kirkendoll says. “I found the fact that she came from TCCHS most inspiring because not everyone from Thomasville can say that they have influence with people from other countries. Hearing what she had to say about the government helped me gain a better understanding of how our government interacts with other countries to maintain good relationships.”
Muse believes special presentations like the one given by Currie are positive learning experiences for students.
“It is beneficial for all students to hear from successful adults from our hometown that have developed interesting and unique lives for themselves,” she said. “Kelley Eckels Currie's story was particularly appropriate for honors government students who have similar career interests as her.”
Kirkendoll found Currie’s words very positive.
“The fact that Mrs. Currie was an alumna from TCCHS helped me realize that you can do big things even from a small town,” she said.