Top Story Spotlight McDowell County Schools alumni spotlight: Early College grad's career brings her back home McDowell County Schools Sep 17, 2026 Sep 17, 2026 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save From McDowell Early College student to CIHS liaison, Kelsey Ledford’s journey has come full circle.kAm{657@C5 :D 2 AC@F5 |4s@H6== r@F?EJ ?2E:G6 H9@D6 65F42E:@?2= ;@FC?6J 3682? 2E |2C:@? t=6>6?E2CJ 2?5 t2DE |4s@H6== |:55=6 367@C6 3C:?8:?8 96C E@ |4s@H6== t2C=J r@==686]k^AmkAmpD 2 >6>36C @7 E96 4=2DD @7 a_`f[ {657@C5 E@@< 7F== 25G2?E286 @7 E96 t2C=J r@==686 6IA6C:6?46 2?5 8C25F2E65 2D 2 `aE9 8C256C H:E9 3@E9 2? pDD@4:2E6 :? pCED 2?5 2? pDD@4:2E6 :? $4:6?46 568C66]k^Am Kelsey Ledford graduated from McDowell Early College in 2017. Submitted by McDowell County Schools kAmw6C E:>6 :? 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This local leader says yes Dia de los Muertos returns Saturday to downtown Marion Old Fort man charged with breaking and entering at Marion warehouse Hunter's Liver Mush needs help with repairs, rising costs to keep Marion business operating International champion to face hometown wrestler in Marion professional wrestling event Ole Waterin’ Hole offers customizable dirty sodas, energy drinks in downtown Marion Sugar Hill Market in Marion to hold Spooktacular on Friday kAmp7E6C t2C=J r@==686[ {657@C5 962565 E@ pAA2=249:2? $E2E6 &?:G6CD:EJ 367@C6 6G6?EF2==J EC2?D76CC:?8 E@ &}r pD96G:==6[ H96C6 D96 62C?65 96C q2496=@C @7 pCED :? p?E9C@A@=@8J]k^AmkAmw6C 65F42E:@? E96? =65 96C :?E@ H@C< H:E9 E96 (@C<7@C46 x??@G2E:@? 2?5 ~AA@CEF?:EJ p4E W(x~pX[ 2 AC@8C2> E92E 96=AD AC@G:56 7F?5:?8 7@C DEF56?ED 7C@> =@H\:?4@>6 72>:=:6D H9@ H2?E E@ AFCDF6 E96:C 65F42E:@?] %92E 6IA6C:6?46 6G6?EF2==J 3C@F89E 96C 324< E@ |4s@H6== %649?:42= r@>>F?:EJ r@==686[ H96C6 D96 3682? 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D96 6G6?EF2==J DE6AA65 :?E@ 4@==686 =:76] p?5[ @7 4@FCD6[ E96C6 2C6 E96 >6>@C:6D E92E 925 ?@E9:?8 E@ 5@ H:E9 8C256D @C 568C66D]k^AmkAm~?6 @7 {657@C5’D 72G@C:E6D H2D EC2G6=:?8 E@ t4F25@C] xE H2D 96C 7:CDE E:>6 @FE @7 E96 4@F?ECJ[ 2?5 E96 25G6?EFC6 @7 K:A\=:?:?8 H2D 2 9:89=:89E] u@C 96C[ :E H2D @?6 @7 E9@D6 6IA6C:6?46D E92E >256 D49@@= 23@FE >@C6 E92? ;FDE H92E 92AA6?65 :?D:56 2 4=2DDC@@>]k^Am Kelsey Ledford Submitted photo kAm}@H E92E D96 H@C<D H:E9 DEF56?ED H9@ 2C6 7@==@H:?8 2 A2E9 D:>:=2C E@ 96CD[ {657@C5 92D D@>6 D:>A=6 25G:46i “%2<6 25G2?E286 @7 J@FC E:>6 96C6 2?5 2== E96 @AA@CEF?:E:6D E92E 4@>6 J@FC H2J] *@F 5@?’E 92G6 E@ 92G6 J@FC H9@=6 =:76 7:8FC65 @FE C:89E ?@H] tIA=@C6[ ECJ ?6H E9:?8D[ 2?5 6?;@J E96 ;@FC?6JP”k^Am kAmxE’D 25G:46 E92E {657@C5 92D =:G65 96CD6=7] w6C A2E9 H2D?’E A6C764E=J DEC2:89E 2?5 :E 5:5?’E 92G6 E@ 36] $96 6IA=@C65 5:776C6?E D49@@=D[ 5:D4@G6C65 ?6H :?E6C6DED[ 7@F?5 @AA@CEF?:E:6D E@ 96=A @E96CD[ 2?5 6G6?EF2==J 7@F?5 96CD6=7 324< :? E96 4@>>F?:EJ E92E 96=A65 86E 96C DE2CE65]k^Am kAm%@52J[ D96 86ED E@ 36 E92E 96=A:?8 92?5 7@C E96 ?6IE 8C@FA @7 DEF56?ED] p?5 E92E >2J 36 E96 36DE A2CE @7 96C 2=F>?: DE@CJi {657@C5 5:5?’E ;FDE >@G6 @? 7C@> |4s@H6== t2C=J r@==686] $96 42>6 324< C625J E@ 96=A @E96CD >@G6 7@CH2C5[ E@@]k^Am 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular Alumni spotlight: Tristan English — a heart for helping others Today, Tristan English's connection to Nebo has come full circle. 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Alumni spotlight: Tristan English — a heart for helping others Today, Tristan English's connection to Nebo has come full circle. He is proud to share that both of his children are now students at the same …
Operation Homebase: Law officers train for safer schools in McDowell “Operation Homebase gives our deputies the opportunity to train together, learn the layouts of our schools, and strengthen the coordination ne…
Marion Rotary Club recognizes Students of the Week On Thursday, the Rotary Club of Marion recognized Nicholas Letterman and Logan Vess, both of McDowell Early College, as the Academic Students …
McDowell County commissioners hear update about design, timeline for new school for Marion The new elementary school that will replace both Marion and Eastfield schools will be constructed along U.S. 70 East near the Marion city limits.
McDowell County Schools alumni spotlight: Carson Gowan has dedicated his life to community Through the eyes of his family, he stands out as the ultimate Titan, choosing to stay in McDowell County to teach, coach and support the schoo…