As a junior at LaFayette High School, Joshua Hood already understands the impact of community involvement.
“People should look in the mirror every morning and ask, ‘How can I make the world better today?’” said Hood, who at 17 has already made his civic presence felt.
Hood recently designed a flag for the city of LaFayette.
The teenager and LaFayette resident tinkered with several designs and used local colors of orange, black and white for the flag, which was approved by the LaFayette City Council last summer. The colors are those of LaFayette High School and LaFayette Middle School, and the center of the flag is emblazoned with the LaFayette city seal.
“I wanted LaFayette to have something it could have for itself,” he said.
He also worked closely with the Walker Democratic party in the local elections.
Hood said he quickly fell in love with politics and would like to stay involved, potentially someday as a candidate. Once he gets older, Hood said he may consider campaigning for a state House seat.
A run for governor and possibly president may someday be in his future, too, he said.
“If you want to, you can accomplish anything,” he said. “There’s going to be brick walls, but you’ve got to find ways around them or through them.”
During the 2004 campaign season, Hood assisted local Democratic candidates Sadie Morgan, who ran for the state House District 2 seat, and longtime clerk of court Bill McDaniel. Hood said his function was putting out signs and “doing what I could” to help.
“I wanted to do something where I could help people and help the community,” he said.
Hood said he was encouraged by the strong turnout in the 2004 general election in November.
“I’m very pleased the voters came out and voiced their opinions,” he said.
Closeup
Hobbies: Golf, fishing, traveling and history
If I don’t become a politician, I would like to be: A nuclear engineer, or a businessman
Word that best describes me: Motivated
Favorite books: History books
Favorite television programs: “CSI,” “Fear Factor” and History Channel programs, particularly those about the Civil War
Favorite music: Classic rock, country
People I most admire: My parents, Walker County Democratic Party chairman Julia Sexton, Sgt. Maj. Charles Heintz, former state House District 2 Democratic candidate Sadie Morgan
Philosophy: Take it one day at a time, but make that day count.
What keeps voters away from the polls, he added, however, is the constant sniping between the Democrats and Republicans. While a Democrat, Hood said he is open to Republican ideas.
“People aren’t voting because the parties are at each other’s throats,” he said. “The parties are not working together. They have different views, but can work together.”
Hood said he called state House District 1 candidate Jay Neal after the Republican’s win in November to congratulate him on his victory. Hood said he understands the hard work candidates, Republican or Democrat, must put into a successful campaign.
“I wish the Republicans good luck,” he said of the Republicans’ sparkling showing in November. While Hood wishes the GOP well, he promises the Democrats will be back in the next election with a determined effort to avenge their 2004 setbacks.
Hood has attended many city council meetings, but after taking a break for the election season, has plans to attend again regularly.
“The city council works for the city,” he said. “It is very important for people to attend.”
Hood got a taste of politics last summer when he interned for District Attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin. At the office, he said he did filing and computer entry, among other tasks.
“I enjoyed working with them,” he said. “I loved it. I wanted something to do during the summer that involved politics.”
At LaFayette High, Hood, slated to graduate in 2006, is battalion chaplain and a lieutenant in the school’s JROTC program. He also attended LaFayette Middle School and Gilbert Elementary.
“I enjoy being able to teach new cadets how to do things, being a role model for the younger ones, and setting the table for the younger class,” he said. “I want them to achieve what they can.”
Hood said those successful in politics and the military have certain traits in common, such as strong leadership and a determination to get things done in the community. Hood said his main job now is finishing his education.
Jacksonville State University in Alabama, he said, is a potential college destination. The teenager, whose favorite classes at LHS include U.S. history, German and JROTC, said a major in political science and a minor in business management may be in his future.
Hood urges teens and young people to get involved in their communities and to understand how important the right to vote is.
A mock election at LaFayette High, he said, attracted 500 voters out of a student body of about 900.
“Let people know you are there and are willing to help,” he said.
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