Yuki Takayama
The Washington State Association of College Trustees honored a Centralia College student, along with 33 other community and technical college students, during a ceremony on Monday where the 2018 Transforming Lives Awards were handed out.
“The annual award recognizes current students and alumni who overcame barriers to their academic goals,” stated a press release.
Yuki Takayama, of Centralia College, received the award as she is set to graduate from Centralia College either this spring or summer. She later plans to pursue a Bachelors of Applied Science degree in information technology.
Takayama did not grow up with a stable home, but did not let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.
“At Centralia College, I started with the general associate degree with the intent to transfer into the new Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Information Technology. Being legally blind, I have dealt with technology and accessibility issues for years. These difficulties have motivated me to find different alternatives that allowed me to use technology as equitably as possible,” Takayama said.
According to the press release, each award winner must be nominated by the board of trustees at their college.
“Each of these students have incredible stories to tell. They speak to the power of our state’s community and technical colleges,” said Bridget Piper, the state’s Association of College Trustees president and a trustee for the Community Colleges of Spokane. “We are so proud of the students honored tonight as well as every student and alumni of our colleges.”
