Warren County native Kara Haight has been selected as the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) student speaker for the 2025 Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at Enchanted Beginnings in Corry. Haight earned an Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies in December and is pursuing writing, while working part-time roles at the Warren and Youngsville Public Libraries. Presently, Haight is working on a historical fiction novel for young readers and is connecting with a publisher this fall to present her work.
“Being selected as student speaker is a huge honor,” noted Haight. “There were times along this journey when I’ve wondered if I’m capable, but I know that I’ve gained a lot of confidence in myself from being an NPRC student. Everyone at the College is so encouraging and accommodating if I’ve been nervous or anxious about something. But truly, I’m very honored to have this opportunity. It makes me feel great and I’m thankful for the people I’ve met along the way.”
Haight began her journey with NPRC in the fall 2021 term. She came to the College as a homeschooled student, but found the transition from homeschool to NPRC’s welcoming community to be a smooth transition. “I can honestly say that, with no exaggeration, NPRC has changed me for the better. Growing up homeschooled, I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as a classroom setting, but it was a relatively easy transition. NPRC made me feel like I belonged there and my ideas and comments in class were respected. I often struggle with insecurities for a myriad of reasons, but my advisor and instructors helped me to view myself as capable of any task I was given. I am so much more confident in myself today because of NPRC.”
Even more than the skills she developed in her time at NPRC, being enrolled at the College also helped her to build strong relationships with her peers, instructors, and NPRC staff members she will always cherish. “My instructors Ben Blood, Ruth Barnes Shaw, Amy Rossman, and my advisor, Sandie Rohlin, have each gone above and beyond their call of duty. I trusted them with everything in my academic life and also felt very comfortable with them in my personal and life matters. They’re all truly amazing human beings and I certainly will always credit them with any success I have in the future.”
Student Advisor Sandie Rohlin added a sentiment about Haight’s development as a young person and professional in her time with NPRC sharing, “It has been a pleasure to support Kara in her educational journey as her student advisor. Throughout each term, she was committed to doing her best in all of her classes. Even when faced with challenging subjects, she maintained a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Watching Kara grow both as a student and as an individual during her time at NPRC has been a privilege.”
In just a few weeks, Kara Haight will join a growing community of NPRC alumni who are off changing the world in a variety of ways. As a homeschooled high school student who also graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic, she did not have a traditional high school graduation. But that will change on Saturday, May 17 as she walks the stage with her peers and celebrates earning her associate degree and what’s coming in her young career. “My message to current and future NPRC students is to not give up. I know it sounds cliché, but honestly, there were times I questioned what I was doing and if it was even worth it. I worried if I chose the right major, and if I’d be able to use the degree, I was working so hard to earn. In the end, it really does all work out. I learned I could do it, and if I couldn’t, there were people there to pick me back up and guide to figure out how I could do it.”
She continued, “It’s truly an honor to be asked to speak at this upcoming commencement, because it will be such an important and memorable day for all of us. Looking back to before college, I never dreamed I’d be doing this. All of us have come so far and we definitely deserve our moment. It’s something to be proud of.”
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