Selene Welch worked hard during her freshman through sophomore year at Baldwin High School. She is now continuing her achievements, at Fort Hays State University. Welch is dedicating her time earlier than most people, as a freshman at FHSU, when she is only 16 years old.
Q: What got you to where you are today?
“Taking advanced classes in high school, having good grades, and making a good impression on the people around me helped in my application for The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, KAMS.”
Q: What is the program you are in for college?
“The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, KAMS, is an early college program for juniors and seniors in high school at Fort Hays State University, FHSU. The students in KAMS graduate high school by taking classes at FHSU and transferring them to their high school, so it is similar to dual credit.”
Q: How did you get in the program?
“Mr. Medrano, a former chemistry teacher at Baldwin High School, introduced the KAMS program to me mid-sophomore-year and told me it would be a good fit for me. He guided me through the process and wrote a letter of recommendation for me along with other teachers at Baldwin High School including Mr. Cullins, Mr. Curran, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Ashcraft, and the School Counselor, Ms. Weiss. My parents were also very supportive in getting me to where I am. “
Q: At the beginning did you want to do the program?
“I enjoy taking college classes, it has given me a great challenge and I am doing well. I have also met great people and have made many friendships during my time here. I have also joined many clubs and have won awards with them.”
Q: Do you enjoy college so far?
“The classes in college are very challenging, but I have made many connections with peers and teachers. I do not imagine college being so different in two years.”
Q: What is it like being so young at college?
“KAMS has a curfew at 11 pm where you can not leave the floor of the building that you live on. This is hard for me because I focus best at night and it is difficult for me to study in the same space for a long period of time.”
Q: Is there anything you would change about school if you could?
“I was originally introduced to The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science by Mr. Medrano. It did not immediately catch my eye but when it was mentioned to me again later in the year, I imagined what it would be like if I did it. It happened so much that I decided to take it seriously and see where it would take me. I asked my teachers to fill out forms for me and asked a few teachers that I was close with to write letters of recommendation for me. When I received the email that I was accepted into KAMS, I first went and told my parents, Mr. Medrano, and Mr. Cullins, who helped me greatly.”
Q: What do you want to do after college?
“I do not know what I want to do after I graduate from KAMS, but I have imagined myself working towards a career in either mathematics or chemistry.”