In February, the SOCSD Discovery Center hosted more than 35 families from across the community and their 3- through 5-year-old children for the annual Possibility Fest, a fun and engaging opportunity for preschoolers to experience hands-on activities and early career exploration. For this year's event, Discovery Center also partnered with more than 30 area organizations to help attending families connect with resources, information and valuable community supports.
From jobs like veterinarian and construction worker to dentist and chef, future careers took center stage with young learners in attendance with activity stations bringing the 2026 theme of "Once Upon a Career" to life. Children learned about multiple jobs through books, hands-on activities, dress-up play, crafts, and more.
"Hosting Possibility Fest each year reflects our commitment at Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District to start inspiring dreams early," said Dr. Brandi Burton, who leads the Discovery Center and serves as the SOCSD Director of Educational Enhancement and Innovative Research. "By inviting our youngest learners and their families to explore careers in a fun, hands-on way while connecting with community service partners, we help children see what’s possible for their futures and ensure parents know the resources available to support them every step of the way."
Possibility Fest was spearheaded by the Starkville Oktibbeha Early Learning Collaborative (SOELC), one of the grant-based programs housed at Discovery Center and the district's arm for management of the SOCSD pre-kindergarten program. Mary Coleman, SOELC Program Coordinator, said the event is a yearly opportunity to showcase what the Collaborative and other grant-based programs have to offer, in addition to providing a valuable learning experience for children. This year's event featured some special guests she said were a big hit with the preschoolers.
"Our fairytale theme truly came to life with our guest, Miss Teen Mississippi 2025, Maddie Oliphant," Coleman shared. "She joined us wearing her sash and crown and spent time making crowns with the children."
Members of the Mississippi State University Football team also attended to interact with children and their families, and they participated in a photo booth with attendees.
Local law enforcement and emergency management agencies also partnered in this year's Possibility Fest. Starkville Police Department, Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department, Starkville Fire Department, and City of Starkville Sanitation Services brought vehicles for display and gave preschoolers the opportunity to see them up close.
"I would say that one of the most loved parts of the evening for the kids was meeting our community helpers," Coleman said. "Children had the opportunity to explore a fire truck, cars from SPD and the Sheriff's Department, and even a mini garbage truck –– which quickly became a favorite attraction."
Thirteen groups and organizations and over 40 volunteers helped with the event from set-up to tear down. In addition to staff from the Discovery Center, volunteering organizations included Excel by 5, ICS Head Start, Sudduth Elementary, Starkville High Cheer Squad, Mississippi Department of Human Services, OSERVS and more.
With the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District's strategic approach to career exploration, students begin to discover future possibilities from their earliest experiences in PreK. From creative play and hands-on Maker Spaces in elementary school to field trips, interest-assessments and project-based learning through junior high, each student's discovery culminates with a high school experience designed to connect classroom to career.
Through Career and Technical Education pathways and work-based learning opportunities, Starkville High School students take career exploration to the next level, enabling students to leave high school future-ready and workplace-ready with experience in job shadowing, internships, and skills or certifications that match both their career interests and the local job market.
