In this special end-of-year episode of Sentinel Sound Bites, we’re recording on the campus of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering during one of the busiest—and most emotional—days of the year: move-out day, awards day, and the official last day of school.

In this episode, we sit down with residential student Carolyn Robertson and her father, Alan, for a heartfelt conversation about their family’s journey through Carolyn’s first year at ASCTE. They reflect on what it was like to make the decision to attend a boarding STEM school three hours from home, how they navigated long-distance parenting, and the unexpected personal growth Carolyn experienced through new friendships, academic challenges, and extracurricular involvement—from volleyball to theater.

Alan, who also serves as a principal at a public school in Alabama, offers a unique dual perspective—as both a parent and an educator—on the culture, communication, and care that set ASCTE apart.

Whether you’re a prospective parent, a curious student, or an education leader, this episode offers an inside look at what it means to be part of the ASCTE community.