01/05/2026
đź’śRagland Alumni Spotlightđź’ś
Joseph Bronson Layton
Class of 2016
Activities or sports you were involved in at Ragland High School:
-Trumpet and baritone player for Ragland High School’s marching, concert, and jazz band.
-Chaplain for Beta Club from 2015 to 2016.
-Chaplain for Student Government Association from 2015 to 2016.
-Mr. Ragland for 2015-2016.
-Class President for the Class of 2016.
Where did life take you after graduation? (college, career, military, trade, etc.) What do you do now?
After I graduated Ragland High School in 2016, I went to college at Jacksonville State University and majored in English for a grand total of six years, where I also continued to march as a baritone player in The Marching Southerners. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English degree in 2020, and I earned my Master of Arts in English degree in 2022. I currently work as an English professor at both The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Jefferson State Community College.
What made Ragland special to you as a student?
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What made Ragland special to me as a student was the sense of community the school delivered between students, teachers, and parents. The way that everyone knew each other (directly or by acquaintance) formed a family within the school and the town.
What’s one thing about RHS you didn’t appreciate enough until later?
Truthfully, to this day, I’ve appreciated every single memory I had at RHS. There is not one thing I didn’t appreciate enough. Even when I was a young kid, I knew time would fly fast towards adulthood, and with every friendship I made, every lesson I learned, and every mistake I made, they all made me who I am today, which I am very grateful for.
Why do you think Ragland High School matters to this community?
-Ragland High School matters to the community because it sets the foundation for creating the leaders of tomorrow. RHS has a way of showing kids and families the soft-hearted nature of small-town life, promoting the chances of making people appreciate where they come from. In short, Ragland High School is the embodiment of “humble beginnings.
How did growing up in a small community shape who you are?
Growing up in a small community helped me discover who I am. My classmates and teachers progressively built up my confidence by encouraging me to write stories for the class, proofreading papers, and eventually, lead our class to graduation. If it wasn’t for the school’s guidance over the years, I doubt I would have been able to go out into the world and become a success in my own right.
What advice would you give to current Ragland High School students?
-My best advice I would give current Ragland High School students:
Do not let the world try to dissuade you of your potential. Whatever it is you want to do in life—go after it, no matter what comes your way. If you are ever faced with a challenge, remember where you come from and tell yourself: “I made it this far. I can keep going.” Like Ragland High School, you are small but mighty! You got this!
Thank you to Joseph “Bronson” Layton, Class of 2016, for sharing your story and representing Ragland High School so well. From RHS student leader to English professor at UAB and Jefferson State, your journey shows what small but mighty truly means.
We are incredibly proud of you and grateful you continue to carry the spirit of Ragland with you. đź’śđź’›
