LouAllen looks at physical therapy
Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.
Tharptown senior Joseph LouAllen is as well-rounded as they come.
In the four years he’s attended THS, LouAllen has established himself as a leader through his involvement in almost every organization available including Students Against Destructive Decisions, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Envirothon, Math Team, National Honor Society and Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG).
He has also been a very active athlete through his participation on the football, basketball and track teams.
“Playing sports with my teammates is probably one of the best things about high school,” LouAllen said. “We all get along and have become close and we’ve been able to make a lot of great memories.
“Going to Wallace State with the varsity basketball team was the experience of a lifetime and something I’ll never forget.”
LouAllen said he has enjoyed several aspects of high school, but he definitely won’t miss the stricter rules and guidelines that don’t always accompany college classes.
“I really don’t like having a set time for class so I’m looking forward to having a more flexible schedule,” he said. “Also, in high school classes I sometimes want to go beyond what is required to learn and learn other things, so I think I will enjoy having more opportunities for learning in college.”
Even though May seems like a long time away, LouAllen knows graduation will be here before he knows it so he’s already making sure he has his plans all ready for college next fall.
He currently has his list of college choices narrowed down to the University of Alabama, Troy University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“I like the campuses at all these schools and they have the major I’d like to focus on, so I’ll just really have to weigh the pros and cons and see which place is a better fit for me,” he said.
LouAllen plans to receive his degree in physical therapy and eventually obtain his doctorate of physical therapy, a career choice he made after he injured his back in the 10th grade playing sports and had to go through physical therapy to recover.
“I saw an opportunity through that experience to have a career that would help people,” he said. “Even though people are in pain, you can help them physically and lift their spirits emotionally.
“Also, I don’t plan to continue playing sports later in life, so this is also a way for me to still stay close to it.”
Once he receives his degree, LouAllen said he hoped to come back to Franklin County to work at events in the evening like football games.
“Coming back to Franklin County to live and work just feels right because I’ve always liked the small town feel and living out in the country,” he said. “This place is just home to me and it means a lot to have my family near me, especially my parents, Joey and Priscilla.”
Even though he has stayed buy with all the activities, sports and college planning, LouAllen has still managed to find time to hunt, fish and watch Alabama football. He’s also made it a priority to give back to the community through his involvement in the youth group at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church and also the Franklin County Junior Leadership program, which he participated in during the 11th grade.
“We did a lot of community service in Junior Leadership that helped me see the need there is to help other people,” he said. “It was a blessing to visit the Sara Dinsmore Center in Red Bay and to help other people in the community.”
LouAllen said the best advice he could give to anyone still navigating the high school waters would be to do your very best.
“Always do everything to the best of your ability,” he said. “No matter what everyone else is doing, just do the things you know you need to do.”
