Student Spotlight: Lily Woughter

• Major: Music with a specialization in Voice
• High School: Vestal, class of 2018

Lily Woughter knew since middle school she wanted a career in music. Figuring out what exactly that career would look like took a little longer. "During high school I wasn't sure which branch of music to pursue. By the time I had to audition I didn't feel quite ready for a four-year school. I heard really good things about the Music program at OCC and decided to come here."

Two years later she's in her final semester and is pleased with her first college choice. "It was a great environment for me to be in. The Music program is great and has everything I need going forward. It's also great for saving money which is important to me."

Woughter formed a bond with her Voice professor, Dr. Lisa Miller. "Having her has been an amazing experience. She's helped my voice a lot. Her way of teaching really meshes with my way of learning and it will be sad to leave her."

During her two years on campus she's been a much better student than she was in high school. The welcoming atmosphere has led to her having near perfect attendance and membership in the College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa. During her final year she served as the organization's co-vice president for scholarship.

Outside class Woughter is president of OCC's chapter of Spectrum which provides a network of support for gender and sexuality diverse students. "It's always been an important topic for me. I was raised a Unitarian Universalist. We treat people equally and kindly. We respect them, respect our planet, and our community. I think it's really important to have an open, safe space for people so they have those who will support them and not judge them."

Her desire to help others will play a significant role in Woughter's plans. She wants to transfer to a four-year college, major in Music Education, and have a minor or specialization in LGBTQ studies and sexual health. "If there's a student who doesn't feel they have anyone safe to talk to about their identity or they're questioning themselves, they'll know there's a teacher at the school they can speak with. It's really important to me that every student have at least one safe adult in their life."