McDowell alumni spotlight: From Marion Elementary to leading the county's parks and rec
When Aikman Kazee first walked through the doors of Marion Elementary in August 2003, he could not have known how much the experiences he had there would influence the path his life would eventually take. For Kazee, some of his fondest memories began with something as simple as his mom taking him to school each day. Those early years were filled with friendships, school traditions, athletics and experiences that helped shape his lifelong love of sports and community.
Some of Kazee's favorite memories from Marion Elementary include Field Day, fundraiser events, the Sixth Grade Day cookout, and a sixth-grade trip to Space Camp. He also remembers serving on safety patrol during his sixth-grade year. Athletics were already an important part of his life, and he participated in football, baseball and basketball.
Aikman Kazee as a kindergartener at Marion Elementary School.
Along the way, several Marion Elementary teachers and staff members made a lasting impression on him, including Mrs. Gowan, Mrs. Goodson, Coach Reel, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Kazee and Mrs. Hensley. Their influence, along with the experiences and relationships he developed at Marion Elementary, remains an important part of his story today.
He also learned at least one lesson at Marion Elementary that he has never forgotten: always put your name on your paper. After turning in a paper without his name, Kazee quickly discovered that Mrs. Gowan was serious about that rule when she assigned him lunch detention. It was a simple lesson, but clearly an effective one!
Beyond the fun memories and important lessons, Kazee's time at Marion Elementary also planted the seeds for what would eventually become his career. Playing youth sports in the school gym sparked a desire to help create a better youth sports environment throughout McDowell County. What began as a childhood passion for athletics would eventually grow into an opportunity to serve the community that helped raise him.
After leaving Marion Elementary, Kazee attended West Junior High and McDowell High School. He continued pursuing his interests in both academics and athletics, with football, Blue Crew, chemistry, and Athletic PE among his favorite activities and subjects. During these years, Mrs. Autrey, Ms. Redmon, and Coach Gowan were among the educators who influenced his path. Kazee graduated from McDowell High School in 2016.
Following graduation, he attended East Carolina University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Sports Studies. He later continued his education at the University of North Texas, earning an MBA in Sport Entertainment. His longtime love of athletics had grown from something he enjoyed as a child into a field of study and, ultimately, a career.
Working in the sports and recreation field was not always Kazee's plan. He originally intended to become a dentist, but eventually realized it was not a career he would love. Rather than continuing down a path that did not feel right, he was willing to take a risk, change direction, and pursue something that matched his interests and passions.
That decision ultimately brought him back to the community where his story began. Today, Kazee serves as the director of Parks and Recreation for McDowell County, overseeing community sports and recreational programs. In that role, he now has the opportunity to help provide children and families with the same kinds of positive athletic and recreational experiences that meant so much to him growing up.
Aikman Kazee is now director of parks and recreation for McDowell County.
His own journey is also reflected in the advice he offers today’s students: be open to change, take risks and value experiences. He encourages students to study abroad if they have the opportunity and reminds them that some of life’s most valuable lessons and experiences can happen outside the classroom.
From a young boy whose mom took him to Marion Elementary each day, to a McDowell High School graduate, college student, and now director of Parks and Recreation for McDowell County, Kazee’s journey has brought him full circle. The gym where he once played youth sports helped inspire a passion that now allows him to create opportunities for the next generation.
His story is a reminder that the experiences children have in their schools and communities can reach far beyond their childhood years. Sometimes, the places where we first discover what we love are the very places that inspire us to return, serve others and give back to the community that helped shape us.
