Episode 5: Building Her Future — A Mayfield Graduate on Opportunity, Community & Coming Home

🎧 6 min listen

In this episode of Let’s Talk Mayfield, Derrick Parrott continues the conversation around youth development by sitting down with recent Mayfield graduate Kelly Cortez.

Kelly shares her experience at Mayfield High School, the importance of being involved in clubs, sports, and school activities, and how those opportunities helped her meet new people, build connections, and grow as a person.

As she prepares to attend Eastern Kentucky University and major in construction management, Kelly talks about her future goals, including gaining experience, one day owning her own construction business, and hopefully contributing to Mayfield’s continued rebuilding and growth.

This conversation highlights an important part of Derrick’s youth development platform: preparing students for life after high school, connecting them to opportunity, and giving young adults a reason to return home with their education, skills, and experience.

Kelly also shares advice for future seniors: be involved, attend events, support your school, spend time with friends, and make the most of the season you are in.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Kelly’s favorite memories from Mayfield High School
• The role of clubs, sports, and student involvement
• Her plans to attend EKU and study construction management
• Why dual-credit classes can help prepare students for college
• How new projects, jobs, and opportunities can encourage young adults to return home
• Why youth development must include listening to young people directly
• Kelly’s hope to see Mayfield continue growing stronger and more connected

Episode 4: Pathways Home — Mayfield Graduates on the Future They’re Building

🎧 16 min listen

In this episode of Let’s Talk Mayfield, Derrick Parrott sits down with recent Mayfield graduates to talk about youth development, future plans, career pathways, and what it will take to encourage young adults to build their lives and careers in Mayfield.

The conversation centers on an important question: how do we prepare students not only to graduate, but to step confidently into college, training, the workforce, entrepreneurship, and community leadership?

Derrick and his guests discuss the role of athletics, school involvement, leadership opportunities, mentorship, local businesses, career pathways, and quality of life in shaping the next generation. From speech pathology and pharmacy to accounting, entrepreneurship, athletics, and service, these graduates share their goals, their pride in Mayfield, and their ideas for how the community can better support young people after high school.

This episode is a reminder that youth development is economic development. When young people can see opportunity here, feel supported here, and imagine a future here, Mayfield becomes stronger for generations to come.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Preparing students for life after high school
• Connecting education, training, business, and industry
• Why local opportunity matters for young adults
• The impact of athletics, leadership, and school involvement
• Supporting local businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship
• How parks, neighborhoods, housing, jobs, and quality of life affect whether young families return
• Why investing in youth is essential to Mayfield’s future

Episode 3: Economic Development, Community Pride & Mayfield’s Future

🎧 19 min listen

In this episode of Let’s Talk Mayfield, Derrick Parrott sits down with Jason Lemle, President of Graves County Economic Development, for a conversation about what economic development really means for Mayfield and Graves County.

While many people think of economic development as new jobs or new businesses, this conversation goes deeper — into infrastructure, housing, workforce development, quality of life, existing business support, downtown redevelopment, and the way our community talks about itself.

Derrick and Jason discuss the importance of preparing students for life after high school, strengthening workforce pathways, supporting existing businesses, attracting new opportunities, and making sure Mayfield remains a place where families, businesses, and future generations can thrive.

This episode also highlights an important reminder: the pride Mayfield shows on Friday nights can be applied to every part of community life. When that same passion is directed toward neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and local progress, Mayfield has the ability to grow stronger together.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What economic development really means beyond jobs and businesses
• Why housing, infrastructure, workforce, and quality of life matter
• The importance of supporting existing businesses
• How schools, career pathways, and local employers can better connect
• Why the way we talk about Mayfield affects growth and opportunity
• How community pride can help move Mayfield forward

Episode 2: Building a Winning Culture: Lessons from Coach Joe Morris

🎧 33 min listen

In this episode of Let’s Talk Mayfield, Derrick Parrott sits down with legendary former Mayfield High School coach Joe Morris—one of the most successful high school football coaches in Kentucky history—and community leader Greg Cook.

Coach Morris reflects on decades of leadership, from coaching alongside his father to building a championship culture rooted in discipline, preparation, and belief. He shares what it really takes to sustain excellence—not just talent, but consistency, accountability, and a community that shows up.

The conversation goes beyond football, exploring how the same principles that built Mayfield’s “Title Town” tradition can shape the future of the entire community. From mentorship and youth development to workforce readiness and economic opportunity, this episode highlights the importance of creating pathways for young people to succeed—whether through college, trades, or careers right here in Mayfield.

Derrick and his guests also discuss:

• The power of belief, discipline, and preparation in building long-term success
• Why mentorship and direction matter more than ever for today’s youth
• The need for stronger connections between schools, local businesses, and careers
• How trade skills and workforce development can create real opportunity
• What makes Mayfield special—and how to protect and grow that community pride

This episode is a powerful reminder that winning—on the field or in a city—takes everyone working together.

Episode 1: Beyond Friday Nights: Building Pathways for Mayfield’s Youth

🎧 38 min listen

In the first episode of Let’s Talk Mayfield, Derrick Parrott is joined by a group of Mayfield natives—Trajon Bright (Social Worker), Gregory Cook (Purchasing Insides Sales, Dairyman’s Supply), Connor Guthrie (Inside Sales, Dairyman’s Supply), and Jayden Stinson (Inside Sales, Dairyman’s Supply)—for a conversation centered on community, relationships, and opportunity.

Each guest shares a common story: growing up in Mayfield, playing sports, and choosing to return home to live and contribute to the community that helped shape them.

This episode explores the importance of building relationships with young people early, creating real pathways through mentorship, internships, and job shadowing, and staying connected beyond Friday night football. It’s a conversation about what happens after graduation—and how a community can better support the next generation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The value of relationships that extend beyond school and sports
• Creating opportunities for students through mentorship and local connections
• Why investing in youth matters for the future of Mayfield
• The impact of returning home and giving back to the community