Tatiyana Welch named Rotary Student of the Year
Terra State Community College student Tatiyana Welch has been named the College’s Fremont Rotary Student of the Year. Welch credits Terra State for finding her and seeing her potential to succeed.
“I found myself stuck in between options. I didn’t know what to do,” said Welch, “It’s not like I had to fit their box but more like everything that made up Terra State Community College molded itself to fit my mindset and to set me up with the best possibilities I could have.”
Welch, from Fremont, graduated from Terra State this May with her Associate of Arts, focusing her classes in education. She was presented the perseverance award at commencement, in recognition of the strength she displayed as a student.
Her nominator Ann Sergent, who is the dean of the Liberal Arts and Business Division, credits Welch for persevering through difficult times and sticking to her goals.
“Tatiyana is a dedicated, caring student. She has overcome many obstacles to get where she is today. I am proud of what she has accomplished, and I know she is going to be an amazing teacher,” said Sergent.
Welch recalls her favorite memory, of a time of personal failure when she encouraged herself to get back up and try again.
“I have met some awesome people along the way, experienced new things, and gained momentum for spur-of-the-moment situations – but if I had let the first failure hold me back, none of this would have been possible,” said Welch. “Something that's pushed me my last semester is that we all have this untapped potential. One day, when I am getting ready to leave this earth, I do not want my untapped potential in dreams and possibilities to go with me. I want to act on them now and let them grow like a tree, for others to use one day.”
Outside of classes, she worked as a front desk attendant with Campus Security. She has volunteered as a poll worker during the election, helped with park clean up, assisted children during pumpkin picking and is a part of a writing mentorship program.
Welch will continue her education at Bowling Green State University to earn her bachelor’s degree and become certified in TEFL/TESOL (teaching English as a foreign language) at an academy dedicated to the certification.