More than 400 people and over 21 big vehicles filled the grounds at Hickory Flat Attendance Center on Friday for Hickory Flat Discovery Day, a hands-on career event the school calls Little Rebel Discovery Day. Students climbed around law enforcement gear, a utility bucket truck and emergency equipment while learning about the jobs behind them, according to posts shared by the Benton County school.
School career coach Heather Richards said the turnout was better than she could have hoped for, describing the day as a mix of career exploration, hands-on learning, leadership and fun. “This was more than a Touch-a-Truck event,” the school wrote, calling it career exploration, safety education, community service and “Rebel pride all rolled into one BIG day.”
What Students Saw at Hickory Flat Discovery Day
Several agencies and partners brought equipment and staff to the Hickory Flat campus, including:
Benton County Sheriff’s Department: Deputies showed students law enforcement equipment and talked about careers in policing, emergency response, public safety and community service.
Marshall County Sheriff’s Department: David Cook’s team brought the department’s MRAP armored vehicle, a command trailer, a drone and a K-9, giving students a look at search and rescue, drone operations, K-9 handling and emergency management work.
New Albany Light, Gas & Water: The utility brought a bucket truck so students could see up close the equipment linemen use to keep power flowing.
The school thanked each group for sharing their time, knowledge and equipment, and for showing students how teamwork and service keep the community safe.
Town of Hickory Flat Pitches In
The school credited Mayor Clint Moffitt and the Town of Hickory Flat with making the event possible. Moffitt and Brooke Howell started the morning by handing out more than 30 dozen donuts to students. The school also welcomed its Honorary Junior Mayor, who joined the mayor in celebrating the students.
In its post, the school said a mayor does more than lead a town, and that Moffitt showed students that leadership “is also about showing up, serving others, and investing in the next generation.”
Beta Club Students Ran the Show
Hickory Flat’s Beta Club volunteers handled much of the behind-the-scenes work. Acting as “Rebel Delegate” tour guides, they also served as the logistics crew, media team, cafeteria helpers, lunch runners and cleanup crew. Richards praised them for showing leadership, teamwork, responsibility and problem-solving, which she called real-world skills that will help them in any career.
Career events like this are part of a broader push in Mississippi schools to introduce students early to local jobs in public safety, utilities and the trades. Hickory Flat Attendance Center is part of the Benton County School District, which earned a B in the state’s 2026 accountability ratings.
How to Get Involved
The school invited residents interested in volunteering, community service, leadership development, safety education or career pathways to reach out to Heather Richards, career coach at Hickory Flat Attendance Center.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
