For Amanda Towne, choosing to attend College of the Sequoias (COS) in her first year of college was inspired by her family and fueled by her passion for education. Growing up in a multicultural environment, Towne’s journey to COS reflects resilience, ambition, and a love for helping others.

Towne was born in Japan and moved to the United States when she was a year old. Her family moved back to Japan shortly after, but at age seven, she returned to the U.S. settling in Lemoore, where she attended a Naval Air Station base school. Learning English was challenging; her first language was Japanese, but the experience shaped her future goals.

“When I first came here, I struggled because everyone around me spoke English, and I didn’t know the language yet,” Towne explained. “It caused me to feel anxious.” This early challenge inspired Towne to pursue a career in early childhood education. Now majoring in the subject, Towne’s goal is to become a kindergarten teacher, ensuring that every child feels included and supported regardless of background or language.

Towne is particularly excited about a hands-on teaching class this semester, where she’ll complete 45 hours of fieldwork in a local school.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, who graduated from COS last year, Towne appreciates the wide range of resources available at the college. She values listening to others and engaging with people from all walks of life, which has motivated her to take on a new challenge: learning Spanish. “I see so many kids here who don’t speak English, and I want to learn Spanish to communicate better with them,” Towne said.

Towne’s story is one of determination and growth. Her journey from Japan to Lemoore to COS highlights the importance of resilience and a passion for helping others, especially young children. As she begins her first year at COS, Towne is on her way to making a meaningful impact in her future classroom.