Lauren Bradford Larson is a 2004 graduate of Buford High School. She was born and raised in Buford to Dale and Carla Bradford. Green and gold run deep in her family, who have been in the Buford area dating back to the late 1800s. Her mother and grandmother, Patricia Adams, both graduated from Buford. Lauren is a Buford lifetimer as she completed her entire K-12 career inside Buford City Schools. She entered kindergarten in 1991 at Buford Elementary School.
To say that Lauren was a busy student during her time at BHS would be an understatement. She was a well-rounded student who participated in athletics, clubs and fine arts, all while achieving a 4.03 GPA. All four years at BHS, Lauren was a member of the football, basketball and competition cheerleading squads. Her competition cheer team won several regional awards, made state her junior year and placed sixth her senior year.
Lauren was a member of FBLA throughout high school and held the position of president her junior and senior years. She was also a class officer all four years. In her senior year, Lauren was selected as a Homecoming representative. She had a long list of affiliations and accomplishments.
Being the well-rounded student that she was, Lauren was a talented pianist who competed individually earning numerous awards in local and state competitions. She was also a gifted vocalist and was a member of the Bel Canto Chorale and Chamber Chorus at Buford High School.
After graduating, Lauren attended The Women’s College of Brenau University and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2008 and later earned a Master of Business Administration from Brenau University. In 2014, she would earn a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of North Georgia. Lauren turned around and got an Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College in 2019.
Like high school, Lauren excelled in college and was a student who was heavily involved in activities. She was a member of a women’s fraternity called Zeta Tau Alpha and was a co-captain for the Brenau University basketball cheerleading team. Lauren had too many achievements to list during her collegiate career.
Lauren decided to pursue a teaching career because of the impact one teacher had on her. That teacher was Kathy Brady, who taught her during her fifth- and eighth-grade years. It was Ms. Brady’s love for her students, the compassion and kindness she showed her students no matter what, that impacted Lauren the most. Lauren said she genuinely wants to make an impact on her students’ lives.
“I wholeheartedly enjoy encouraging my students to be their best and hopefully help them grow into caring, empathetic adults who showcase love to everyone they meet,” Lauren said. “My students’ well-being and mental health are more valuable than any standardized test, and I want them to know that at least one person is on their side and believes in them.”
Lauren returned to the town she flourished in and the school system that taught her so much. Lauren teaches science at Buford Middle School. She was recognized by her peers and was voted as the BMS Teacher of the Year for 2019-2020. She and her husband Kevin reside in Buford with their 3 ½-year-old son, Liam.
Lauren was nurtured by her village — Buford. There were many people who helped Lauren to become the accomplished, caring person she is today. Taking all of those lessons learned by those who came before her, Lauren is paying it forward by being part of so many of Buford’s children’s village. Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!
— Alicia Couch Payne
