Name: Abby Collins
Age: 18
Hometown: Ellijay
High school: Gilmer High School
Major: Psychology
Expected graduation date: 2020
Why did you choose Dalton State? Friendly, nice, close to home, and a wonderful atmosphere
What do you plan to do after graduation? Get a job at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite as a Child Life Specialist. A Child Life Specialist provides help and support to children who are going through various illnesses, surgeries, MRIs, and chemo to help them not feel afraid. Since having been diagnosed with a brain tumor since 2009, I have personally experienced the help Child Life Specialists give throughout my illness, chemo, and surgeries. I am currently volunteering one day a week under a Child Life Specialist at Scottish Rite.
Who is/was your favorite professor and why? With this being my first semester, I would have to say that all the teachers and professors I have had so far are all great. They are all extremely nice and super helpful; they are always there for you and always answers questions when needed. Also, Andrea Roberts the disability services coordinator has been available to help me with the accommodations I may need.
What activities are you involved in on campus? I am living at home and going to the campus in Ellijay, but over the summer I went to many of the freshman activities available on campus. In Ellijay I am on the Campus Activities Board to help provide activities for the Dalton State Ellijay campus.
What are some of your biggest achievements or accomplishments at Dalton State? For many trying new things does not always come easy! Every summer Dalton State provides a weekend trip for new students called Rage Days. It is a weekend trip for students to meet others, to learn more about ourselves, become more confident, and try new things. This trip was a great accomplishment for me. The trip was not only fun but also one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I met new people, professors, was encouraged, and became more confident in myself. I would totally encourage all new students to participate in the Rage Day trip. Also, my speech class and professor, Mr. Jerry Drye, have encouraged me to become more confident when speaking in front of others.
Where is your favorite study spot? On my couch or at the library at the Ellijay campus.
Where is your favorite hangout? The bowling alley or movies with all my friends just goofing off and hanging out. The Ellijay campus lobby is a favorite hangout before and after classes. Really it is just anywhere I can meet and hang out with friends or meet new people.
What is your best memory so far as part of the Roadrunner Nation? The Week of Welcome.
Favorite comfort food? Boiled peanuts or pizza
If you had a theme song, what would it be? “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten or “Gold” by Britt Nicole
Favorite line from a movie? “It's not easy. But it's simple.” from God’s Not Dead
What is your guilty pleasure? Eating sweets
What do you feel most proud of? Graduating high school with honors even through my illness and all the treatments and surgeries I had to go through and learning to overcome with faith. Learning when one door closes, God will open another door.
If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be? My beads of courage, pictures, never losing the memory of people that have helped me, family and friends.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? I would donate to organizations: Cure Childhood Cancer, The Brain Tumor Foundation for Kids, Camp Sunshine, and help those in need, give my parents back money for all they did/do for me, and only keep just a little for myself.
What is a skill you’d like to learn and why? I would learn to play the guitar because I love music and I love how beautiful the guitar sounds.
What cheers you up? Helping others and being with the people I love and care about.
What is your favorite book? The Bible
Who is your hero? God, my parents, brothers and sister
Who would play you in the movie version of your life? A childhood cancer friend, Sarah Barr.
What is your favorite childhood memory? My Make A Wish! It let me be a manager for the Georgia Bulldogs football team for a game. I was also able to be batgirl for the Georgia Lady Dawgs softball team and throw out the first pitch for three years in a row for their Pink Out games.
What is your favorite app? Cut the Rope
Where is your favorite place to eat? The Pink Pig in Ellijay, and Red Lobster
What did you want to be when you were a kid? A teacher like my mom.
What does it mean to you to be part of the Roadrunner Nation? It means to me the chance to get out explore and meet new people. To try things I would have never dreamed of trying or doing. It means gaining independence and knowing I have the support from my professors to accomplish anything I set my mind to do.