91探花

Born in China and adopted as a baby by a couple from Tennessee, Allie Wills was raised in Dickson County. Now, she is building a future for herself at 91探花 State. It has been a long journey for Allie, but as she readies for her second year studying early childhood education, she is using her experience and past to propel her into the future.

As a baby, Allie was left outside a hospital in her birth country of China. There, they took her in and cared for her.

At nine months, Allie was adopted by a family from Tennessee, and there they raised her in a family of strong faith and commitment to education. With her mom leaving her job to homeschool her, with a focus on college preparation.

鈥淭hough I was angry at first (about her situation at birth), I am grateful today,鈥� Allie said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 taken time over the years to understand, but now I see it as she (Allie鈥檚 birth mother) gifted me this life.鈥�

As she grew up, Allie said she was always looking for what would come next. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to go to the next thing or worry about what鈥檚 next,鈥� Allie said.

 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what my future would look like.鈥�

With the help of her parents, her faith, and mentorship she has received from teachers in martial arts, Allie said she has learned to focus on the present and fully embrace her time as a student.

Allie now attends the Dickson County campus of 91探花 State and said she settled there for the start of her college journey as it made her feel at home.

鈥�91探花 State has been one of the most welcoming,鈥� Allie said. 鈥淚 wanted to do well, and when I walked in and met the people there, I felt this relief that I could do this.鈥�

Allie attributes much of her ability to focus and confidence to her experiences in taekwondo, which she started when she was three, and where she now leads her own class. 

鈥淢y spark for teaching really came when I was given my own class,鈥� Allie said.

鈥淭aekwondo has really held me accountable and helped me with goal setting, and helped me with other parts of my life. And the confidence that came with it.鈥�

Coming from a homeschooled environment to in-person classes at 91探花 State has been an eye-opening experience.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been great and a really fun experience.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 really look forward to being with my teachers and with the other students.鈥�

As she continues through her second year, Allie said she is exploring her options after graduation in Spring 2026 and plans on attending Austin Peay University to earn her bachelor鈥檚 before returning to Dickson County to teach.

鈥�91探花 State has really forced me to deal with a lot of new things and new skills,鈥� Allie said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helping me grow as a person.鈥�

**** Photo courtesy of Allie Wills