Weatherman Lelan Statom shares personal reflections with HS
The NewsChannel 5 meteorologist spoke to High School students on Tuesday, January 21.
On February 21, USN welcomed its speaker for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly. This year, we were honored to have NewsChannel 5 meteorologist Lelan Statom as our featured speaker. He shared with students the story of his grandfather, who was a sharecropper who lived on his own well into his 100s. Statom explained that by modeling his grandfather's grit and determination, he earned the position at NewsChannel 5 in 1993. Statom also made a point to the audience of being resilient in the face of adversity and inequity.
"Keep trying," he advised both students and faculty. "Don't give up the first time."
Statom also relayed some memorable reflections from his time in middle school, where he created his own weather station in his backyard in seventh grade. Statom talked about the importance of finding your passion, so that you know what drives each and every one of us. His message of resilience in the face of adversity was of particular importance, as people struggle with the internal and external pressures that come with success.
"Keep trying," he advised both students and faculty. "Don't give up the first time."
Statom also relayed some memorable reflections from his time in middle school, where he created his own weather station in his backyard in seventh grade. Statom talked about the importance of finding your passion, so that you know what drives each and every one of us. His message of resilience in the face of adversity was of particular importance, as people struggle with the internal and external pressures that come with success.
Statom also answered questions from the audience, which included discussions about climate change as well as the media and the ever-changing landscape of broadcast news, both in live and online formats. He also issued a challenge to all in listening range to become more engaged and educated about the news, especially those that have differing opinions than each of us do.
Statom is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist who has been helping Mid-Southerners start their day for more than 15 years. Since 1999, he has been part of the station's No. 1 rated morning newscast, "NewsChannel 5 This Morning." Lelan joined the NewsChannel 5 Network in 1993 as weather anchor for the weekend morning and evening newscasts. In 2007, he (along with Ron Howes & Charlie Neese) received a Midsouth Region Emmy Award for coverage of the tornadoes that hit the area in April 2006. He has received three other Emmy nominations for best weathercast. He is also a member of the National Weather Association & American Meteorological Society. He has the TV Seal of Approval from both organizations. He is a member of the 100 Black Men of Middle TN and is the president of the Nashville Association of Black Journalists.
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Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.