Lifelong Learner Overcomes Adversity Through Education
Angie Bennett is an overcomer. A survivor of numerous events that caused her to leave home at the age of 14, she has persevered despite challenges throughout her life.
After moving 800 miles from home during high school, she dropped out in tenth grade as she balanced a full-time job in order to support herself.
Bennett later married and had four children. Despite the devastating loss of a child, she focused on her future and was determined to overcome the tragedy. She and her family picked up stakes and moved from Canada to a new life in Nash County, NC.
Bennett was told she would be in a wheelchair permanently by the age of 30 as a result of an injury that occurred during her youth. However, she showed her tenacity and resilience by climbing Sulphur Mountain at Banff National Park in Canada when she turned 30. “It may not have been easy, but I proved my challenges were not going to control my life,” Bennett said.
Her children started attending Nash County Public Schools’ Early College located at Nash Community College. Never being one to leave things undone, Bennett enrolled on campus to complete her high school equivalency. “I started at Nash Community College and completed the GED process in just a few weeks,” she said. “I felt a real sense of accomplishment graduating with honors.”
Bennett continued her studies at NCC with baking classes. “I knew how to bake but I wanted to understand the science behind it a little better,” she said. She launched what became a highly successful, award-winning, custom cake decorating business, A Memory Worth Making Cakes. Through her business, Bennett has made cakes for numerous celebrities, including Clint Black, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tracy Lawrence, Travis Tritt and many others, and also appeared on the Food Network’s Cake Wars.
Angie Bennett with Clint Black and custom cake
When she was no longer physically able to continue making cakes, Bennett again turned to Nash Community College. As a student, she has served as an Ambassador for the college, and worked in the Advertising and Graphic Design computer lab and Studio 67 multimedia broadcast production lab, while maintaining a 3.9 cumulative grade point average.
Angie Bennett on set in NCC’s Studio 67
“I love Nash Community College,” she said. “Blue Love is real. To me, it represents the family atmosphere and support that exists at Nash.”
Even through the unexpected challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, Bennett continued strong as a Broadcast Production Technology student writing, casting, filming, editing and producing videos for Nash Community College. In May 2020, she graduated with an Associate in Applied Science degree, with honors.
Angie Bennett and students preparing for NCC news show
“I have climbed a lot of mountains in my life. I am not a traditional student, but I am proof that you can always start over…as many times as you need to,” Bennett said. “If I can do it, anyone can. NCC has been a huge part of my success and I am still not finished writing my story. I am so glad I chose Nash.”
Today, Angie Bennett is pursuing an additional degree at NCC, this time in Advertising and Graphic Design, and she serves as an intern in the college’s Marketing Department. She expects to graduate in 2022.
