When Thomas Smith looks back on his childhood, he remembers the silence. Diagnosed with autism at a young age, he spoke very little, struggled with social anxiety, and often felt out of place. His family worried—not from a lack of love, but from the hard reality of what the future might hold. Would he finish high school? Would he ever find the right environment to grow?
Then he began finding champions.
At Pleasant Gardens Elementary School, a third-grade teacher named Patti Buchanan and her assistant, Jennifer Franklin, refused to let Thomas be defined by his diagnosis. They nurtured his progress with patient guidance, counseling, and speech therapy. “They wanted me to learn,” Thomas recalled. “That was the year I made the most progress.”
Those early advocates showed Thomas that success was possible with the right people by his side—a lesson that carried him through the many moves and transitions of his youth. By the time he graduated from Nebo Crossing Academy as valedictorian in 2023, Thomas had already begun earning college credit through the Career and College Promise program at McDowell Technical Community College, laying the foundation for his next chapter.
Champions at McDowell Tech
When Thomas arrived at McDowell Tech full-time in Fall 2023, his anxiety was severe. He was the first in his family to attempt college. He remembers his dad telling him to adapt and never use autism as an excuse. “You have this challenge,” his dad told him, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to work through it.”
For Thomas, like some others, stepping onto a college campus was overwhelming. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” he admitted. “I didn’t know how to fill out the paperwork, how to talk to professors, or even where to go some days.” Social interactions that came easily to others drained him. The fear of failure hovered like a shadow. “I was nervous all the time at first,” he said. “New environment, new goals, new expectations—it was scary.”
That’s when McDowell Tech staff and faculty became his next champions.
Hannah Golding, in financial aid, didn’t just hand him forms—she sat with him, line by line, explaining what each question meant. She showed him how to apply for scholarships, not only at McDowell Tech but later for his transfer to Western Carolina University. “I had no idea what I was doing,” Thomas said. “She helped me every step of the way.”
Karen Buchanan, his advisor, mapped out his courses, making sure each would transfer smoothly to Western. Marilyn Jordan, an Early College instructor, “…opened my eyes to the world of science,” he said. Jennifer Culp, his math instructor, refused to let him give up when calculus seemed impossible. “She’s the only reason I passed,” Thomas said with a laugh. Richard Getty, his biology instructor, made science come alive, turning lectures into moments of excitement rather than dread. “His energy made you want to pay attention,” Thomas remembered. “It didn’t feel like a chore—it felt like discovery.”
“They wanted me to grow. They wanted me to do my very best,” Thomas said. “They went out of their way to do so—more than I can ever express gratitude for.”
There were peers, too, who mattered. Though Thomas admits he isn’t naturally social, he found acceptance among some of his fellow students. Friends like Mason, Chase, and Johnny welcomed him into their circle, no questions asked. And then there was Tyler, his best friend since middle school. Tyler not only studied with him but also helped him navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom. This fall, the two are rooming together at Western Carolina University.
Even outside of academics, Thomas’s friends gave him courage. Hiking trips, late-night study sessions, and spontaneous adventures across North Carolina gave him the sense of belonging he had always longed for. “It was such a relief,” he said, “to know there were people who accepted me for who I am.”
Academic Excellence and Family Pride
Thomas excelled at McDowell Tech, graduating in May 2025 with not one, but two degrees: an Associate in Science and an Associate in Arts. His GPA? 3.98.
It’s an achievement that astonishes even his family. “She’s ecstatic,” Thomas said of his mom, Sherrie Smith. “She never really thought that I would go to college, let alone be doing so well—not because she didn’t believe in me, but because of how I was as a child.”
Thomas is already inspiring others. His older brother, Joshua, plans to enroll at McDowell Tech in Spring 2026, encouraged by Thomas’s success.
Western Carolina and Beyond
This fall, Thomas began his next chapter at Western Carolina University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree, focusing on cellular and molecular biology, a tough and rigorous curriculum. Thanks to federal financial aid and almost $8,000 in WCU scholarships, his financial burden will be light. “I’m not going to be in debt the rest of my life,” he said with relief.
Thomas dreams of a career as a research technician or possibly a job with the U.S. Forest Service, combining his love of science and the outdoors. He also enjoys hiking and photography, passions that mirror his resilience and curiosity.
Finding Your Champions
McDowell Tech President Dr. J.W. Kelley reflected on Thomas’s journey with pride:
“Thomas’s story reminds us that no one succeeds alone. When you find your champions—the people who push you, guide you, and believe in you—you know you’re Right Where You Belong.”
For students who may feel lost, anxious, or uncertain, Thomas’s story is more than inspiration—it’s a roadmap. Champions are waiting at McDowell Tech to help every student find their place.
If you’re ready to find your champions, contact Sarah Jaynes, Access to Achievement Coordinator, at 828-659-0470, or Katherine Ladnier, Title III Success Coach, at 828-659-0418.
In His Own Words
Thomas hopes others will see possibility and hope in his story, not just struggle:
“I want people to know it’s okay to be different, to be nervous, or even to fail sometimes. What matters is finding the people who believe in you and not giving up on yourself. If I can do it, anyone can.”
