ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT on Jackson Hodges ‘12(Below is Jackson’s full spotlight Q&A from the 2021 SOAR magazine)Jackson earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Birmingham-Southern College. He currently lives in Anniston, Alabama (The Model City!).Q: Tell us what you do now. A: I currently serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) and Main Street Director (Main Street Anniston) for The City of Anniston, Alabama. When I started with the City of Anniston, there had never been an active Public Information Officer. There was no format to follow, thus my growth started right away as I met with each director to learn about their department. I took what I had learned and created a new website for the city, something that we had needed for over 10 years. I then grew closer to the community, working alongside local church leaders, and helped to form Anniston Changers. This is an organization that has since completed 16 community service projects, moving over 20 tons of debris and litter out of the city, and finished 8 home repairs through their Anniston Changers grant with the NE AL Community Foundation. The more I grew, the more opportunities I was allowed. I led the city’s census efforts by teaming with the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, we were able to get over 100 people signed up in our most crucial areas. I then got to work as the facilitator for the Anniston City Youth Council, a team of local high schoolers who I work with to develop plans and goals for the local, younger generation. Later on, I joined the homeless task force as well, and was elevated to the steering committee, where I work closely with United Way of East Central Alabama in an effort to fight the homelessness throughout our county. I have been blessed to serve the people, and in doing so I have grown a great deal, and with that growth came all the aforementioned activities, all of which have built me into a better individual.Q: Has your life journey been influenced by your time at Donoho, if so, how? A: Absolutely! There were many incredible men and women at Donoho who invested in me and encouraged me to be all that I can be in my own special way. I think back to my football coach, Shannon Felder, who helped me find structure and build my work ethic. I also had many awesome instructors, such as Mr. Connell, Mr. Ford, Mrs. Mullins, Mrs. Morris, and others. Nowadays, I am on camera a lot and I also have to do a great deal of public speaking. I credit Mrs. Burrage for helping me to craft my oration skills through participating in her plays, and I have always been thankful for my Spanish teacher, Mrs. Taylor. Each year, Mrs. Taylor had our class complete a Spanish video for our end of the year project. In doing these projects, I found a passion for videography, editing, and design. These passions became hobbies, and as I grew more proficient at those skills, those hobbies opened the door for me to do what I love doing now! Lastly, I must mention “The Pitch,” which also played a big role in building my passion and skills for all my current roles.Q: Any words of wisdom you’d like to share with current Donoho students?A: Be the change. In whatever you do and wherever you are, be the change. Do not wait for change. Take action and make it happen. Not all journeys begin with attention and effectiveness. The things you can change are often, at first, very small. Pick up trash here, paint there, wash this, fold that. Do those little things. Take that action. For these little changes are the seeds from which true change grows, and one day you will bask in the peaceful shade of a decision you made long ago, a decision to be the change.Little by little. Day by Day. Be The Change.Q: What is your favorite Donoho tradition?A: This is hard, I enjoyed many things, from Super Smash Bros in the Senior lounge, to pep rallies, football games, plays, and more. If I had to pick one tradition though, I would say getting to be a part of “The Pitch,” and being able to creatively express myself through that outlet, that was my favorite tradition.#MainStreetAnniston#AnnistonChangers#AnnistonYouthCouncil#BeTheChange#AnnistonAL#DonohoAlumniKeep doing great things and making us proud, Jackson!
