I was a junior in high school when I enrolled at McDowell Tech in the fall of 2013 as a dual-credit student.  I had known for a long time that I wanted to become a teacher, because I wanted to impact the lives of children and give them a great foundation of learning at an early age.  Part of my inspiration came from my mother who had attended McDowell Tech and earned her Early Childhood Education degree when I was growing up. McDowell Tech has been a perfect fit for me.  All of my instructors have been very approachable and supportive. The small class sizes have enabled me to learn without feeling lost in the shuffle. And in my particular program the availability of the on-campus childcare facility gave me a lot of hands-on experience so I could actually apply what I was learning in the classroom.I am very honored and humbled that I was chosen for this award.  I am living proof of the way the community college provides opportunities to achieve your dreams. I am excited to be a teacher, and I hope to leave a legacy just like my mom has in the community.