As a young student at Parker High School, LaDarius Smaw did not have a plan for the future.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do after graduation,” said Smaw, who grew up in Ensley. “I didn’t think I was going to college.”
But when a school counselor shared details of Birmingham Promise, Smaw started thinking about his options and he realized he had more than he thought. “Give it a shot,” he told himself. “Give it a try.”
He applied for a Birmingham Promise scholarship.
Through the Promise application process, he got connected to Lawson State Community College’s career/tech program and to other applications for financial aid. He graduated from Parker in 2021 and earned his welding certificate in less than two years, with the cost fully covered. As it turned out, he did not need financial assistance from Birmingham Promise, but he benefited from the program’s coaching services and from knowing that Promise assistance was there if other aid fell through.
“It was cool,” Smaw said of his time at Lawson State. “I learned a lot.”
Since then, he has joined Local Union 91, where he is working as an apprentice on his way to becoming a journeyman pipefitter and plumber.
“I started my first job back in September,” he said. “I’m learning every day. I go out with people who have a lot of experience, and I am picking up more and more knowledge on the job. You can learn more hands-on, or at least I do.”
While his career plans shifted from welding, the program at Lawson State gave him a basic foundation of technical knowledge that provided another building block on his way to his career as a skilled tradesman.
He wants to encourage students in Birmingham City Schools to take advantage of Birmingham Promise, even if they are unsettled about what they want to do or don’t think they have many options.
“Back when I was in high school, I never thought I’d be able to do what I do now,” Smaw said. “I tell people if the opportunity is there, always take it. The sky’s the limit. The possibilities are here, you’ve just got to go get them. Never give up.”