As a young adult fresh out of high school with the dwarfism condition known as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, I was uncertain of my future. Wanting to further my education, I enrolled at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College  (A-B Tech) to complete basic requirements and find direction.

Here, my biology instructor has inspired me to pursue my dream of a career in horticulture, and my communications instructor helped me overcome my fear of public speaking. I was nervous when I enrolled in that class, but my confidence grew as the semester progressed.

Public speaking has played a crucial role in my success as a Phi Theta Kappa. As Vice President of our chapter’s Honors in Action Project, I honed these skills at planned and impromptu speaking events, using them to lead my Phi Theta Kappa chapter in raising Autism awareness and over $1200 for TEACCH, an organization serving autistic individuals in our state.

The skills I have learned and the encouragement I have received have provided opportunities for my personal growth and career development.  A-B Tech has laid the foundation upon which I now realize my potential and will build my future at a four-year university.