Saujanya Tripathi,India
- Valencia College’s Distinguished Grad Finalists
- We’ve assembled profiles of some of the finalists for the Valencia College Alumni Association Mary Smedley Collier Distinguished Graduate Award for 2019-20.
- Like a lot of Valencia College students, Nikolai Wolfe’s educational path was not a straight one.
(www.arya-tv.com)Originally from Orlando, Nikolai grew up in a very religious home and was home-schooled until the Wolfe family moved to Chicago in his junior year. Nikolai spent a year in Chicago before the family moved again, this time to Tennessee. But when Nikolai’s grandfather died in the middle of senior year, Nikolai moved back to DeBary, Fla., to live with his grandmother. After graduating from University High School in Volusia County, Nikolai – who is non-binary — moved out of his grandmother’s house and, as he transitioned, bounced around, moving in with friends and worked a number of jobs. Nikolai hoped to attend UCF but that wasn’t in the cards. “It just wasn’t possible,” Nikolai says. “I could barely afford rent and food, so I couldn’t pay for college too.” Then one day, a postcard about Valencia’s Seneff Honors College arrived. “I thought, ‘This looks interesting,’ ” Nikolai says. “I already knew that was the only way I was going to be able to continue with school, so I applied.” A month later, great news came. “I was accepted and I am undeniably blessed,” says Nikolai. While taking classes at the Winter Park Campus, Nikolai impressed several professors, including humanities professor Paul Chapman. When finances got tight, Nikolai dropped out for a semester and reached out to Chapman to explain the situation. Because Nikolai wasn’t 24 years old yet, the family income disqualified Nikolai for financial aid. Chapman helped Nikolai navigate the financial aid process and qualify for financial aid.
At Winter Park, Nikolai also crossed paths with English professor Chris Borglum and the two hit it off immediately. “Like me, he likes to read all the time,” says Nikolai. Borglum repeatedly urged Nikolai to come play on the college’s Brain Bowl team, which Borglum coaches. “It took me all these years, but finally, in my last semester, I decided to do it,” says Niko, “and I love it!” Now Nikolai is focused on the next move – starting classes in the fall at Williams College, a small, exclusive liberal arts college in Williamstown, Mass. But Nikolai is also reflecting on the Valencia experience and grateful for the people who helped along the way, including professors Chapman and Borglum and honors advisor Kera Coyer. “She told me to always aim high, that I should try to do the great things,” Nikolai recalls. “It was really good to have her in my corner.” Just being considered as a finalist for the college’s Distinguished Graduate is an honor, Nikolai says. “I never thought I’d be here, honestly,” Nikolai says. “I’m a little sad. I’ve been here four years. But I’m really proud of myself too. I’ve been through a lot and I’ve endured. I think my professors are proud of me too.”
