According to Lacie-Lee Parris, nothing short of casual conversation and sheer luck led to an unexpected and life-changing journey at Montreat College.
“I was working as a waitress in Asheville when the grad student assistant coach for the women’s wrestling team overheard me making a joke about my years of wrestling,” said Parris, who grew up in North Carolina’s Gateway to the Smokies in Waynesville but had never heard of Montreat prior to that day. “It encouraged me to get surgery on my knee, and I started to want to wrestle again. That’s why I ended up at Montreat.”
As a 23-year-old senior, Parris’s path to higher education was anything but conventional. Growing up in a tumultuous environment, she faced significant family responsibilities and hardships. Wrestling had been a significant part of her life for eight years, but a knee injury combined with personal challenges led her to step away from the sport when she dropped out of high school.
“I didn’t have the best circumstances,” she shared. “I grew up with parents who were drug dealers. My father passed away, so it was just my mom. She met a guy who wasn’t great. He was really into drugs, and then she had my three little brothers when I was 16. I was staying at home, so I could take care of them. I was working a lot and making good money, and it was just easier at that point not to go to school.”
Parris didn’t struggle in the traditional school setting due to a lack of intelligence or curiosity. Rather, she was often bored in school because she didn’t feel challenged or engaged. She thrives on hands-on learning, enjoying activities like hiking, sewing, watching Broadway musicals, and fixing cars, a skill she picked up from her father who was a car enthusiast. Her drive to learn led her to earn her GED online before continuing at Haywood Community College, where she graduated magna cum laude with an associate’s degree in accounting and finance.
“I love online courses because I’m allowed to get weeks ahead and be done,” she said. “I like going at my own pace. I was allowed to do that and still work full-time.”
Initially, she planned to transfer to Western Carolina University through Haywood’s partnership program. However, her chance encounter with Montreat’s wrestling coach reignited her passion for the sport, prompting her to attend Montreat and return to the mat.
Her first semester at Montreat brought more than just the challenge of readjusting to in-person classes. Her mother was arrested, and during her incarceration, she attempted suicide and fell into a coma. Balancing difficult personal circumstances, academics, wrestling, and a full-time job, Parris credits Montreat’s compassionate faculty for helping her navigate these obstacles.
One of the most impactful relationships Parris formed was with Rev. Rachel Toone. Despite not identifying as a Christian, Parris felt a profound connection with Toone, who offered unwavering support during her most challenging times. Their weekly meetings became a source of comfort and personal growth, helping Parris heal from past traumas and fostering a newfound openness to faith.
“I was an open book to her,” Parris said. “I trusted her, and she always made me feel seen. I wanted to tell her everything, and she supported me. She went to the hospital with me. She’s helped me turn my anger and hatred into something good. To me, she’s the Jesus in my life. She’s a really great person who has been a really amazing resource.”
While wrestling was a key reason she ended up at Montreat, her college athletic career was limited to only seven bouts. She personally struggled to fit in with teammates and also suffered a concussion during competition. Despite college wrestling not being the experience she expected, the sport managed to help her understand her identity as a person.
“I thought wrestling was a huge part of who I was,” she admitted. “It was something I picked up right after my dad died, and it was a really good outlet for me. Honestly, I really struggled with anger and I felt like I managed my anger through wrestling, but I just don’t have the rage anymore to do it.”
Overall, Parris feels blessed by the firm yet supportive guidance she received at Montreat College. The community challenged her worldview and encouraged her personal development.
“I feel like I lucked out,” she reflected. “I could have gone down the same path as my parents, but I took those struggles and I tried to grow out of it. I value the connections and the conversations I’ve had with the people at Montreat, and they’ve always given me good advice. I’ve learned so much about not just Christianity, but a lot of religions, and it’s helped me change as a person.”
As she prepares to graduate in May with a degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing, Parris is eager to find a career that offers both challenge and fulfillment. With a passion for problem-solving and strategic thinking, she hopes to step into a role where she can apply her skills in business management, project management, and marketing. For her, the ideal job isn’t just about earning a paycheck.
“My biggest goal is to find a job that I feel intellectually challenged and appreciated,” she said.
Parris’s story highlights the profound impact of Montreat College. The institution’s dedication to student success, personalized education, and a supportive community creates an ideal environment for those striving to overcome adversity, achieve their goals, and discover their potential to thrive.
“Montreat was the last place I thought I would want to go to, but it only cost me some money to provide healing from trauma, so that’s a steal,” she said gratefully. “At Montreat College, they loved me for who I was and have been there to help and support me in any way.”