Journey around world brings
Seeling to SPC
by
Shelbi Wallace, online editor
Having ambition brings Lydia Seeling
around the world to South Plains College.
At only 18, Seeling is currently in her
second semester. She is studying foreign language and
economics. Seeling’s journey is not a typical path that
students tend to take.
Seeling was born in the west part of
Germany in a city named Wuppertal. She moved to Magdeburg on
the east side, with her mom, when she was 13. Anna, her
older sister, stayed with her dad and his two kids, Felix
and Amelie. With just her and her mother living four hours
away, she attended a private Catholic school from the fifth
grade to grade 10.
Seeling’s life took a turn when she
decided to follow her dreams, no matter what her age. Her
11th grade school year was spent in Sudan, Texas.
“They let me skip a grade so I could be
a senior to make my year something special,” Seeling says.
“My dream has always been to travel the world. That is why I
became an exchange student.”
Living in Littlefield while attending
Sudan High School, Seeling got involved in numerous
extracurricular activities. She participated in golf, track,
U.I.L. and theatre. Having musical ability, Seeling
continued with voice lessons that she started while still in
Germany for three years. She would sing at all the school
concerts in Sudan, including spring, Christmas and faculty
parties. Her audience responded to her voice, and she was
asked to record a CD.
“A lot of people encouraged me to go to
SPC for music performances, since they have such a great
program,” Seeling says. “So I went to visit the music
department and met the director of the Creative Arts
Department.”
After auditioning, her impressive
performance landed her a scholarship offer. After touring
the campus, she embraced the opportunity and really liked
the atmosphere at SPC. Although it didn’t agree with her
parents’ plan, Seeling was extremely impressed with the
music program.
“They wanted me to keep music as a
hobby and study something serious,” Seeling says.
When the fact-finding year of being an
exchange student ended, she traveled back to Germany to
attend high school. They told her she would have to take the
11th grade over, but getting a taste of college was all
Seeling needed to bring her back.
“Right now, I would be a senior in high
school in Germany,” Seeling says. “I’m glad I made the
choice I did.”
Seeling decided to join the SPC family.
Her musical and academic knowledge were welcomed with open
arms. She decided to pursue foreign language and economics
as a major. Having the remarkable ability to speak five
languages, -German, French, English, Latin and Spanish-,
does give Seeling a step up in her field.
“I like SPC’s environment,” Seeling
says. “There is not much distraction, and it gives me a
chance to focus on my studies. The faculty has been very
helpful. Classes are easy. My sociology class is my favorite
so far.”
When taking a break from her studies,
Seeling is still involved in the campus life. She works at
the PE Complex on the Levelland campus and enjoys it very
much. She also participates in intramurals, playing ping
pong, soccer and pool.
She hopes her passion and dream of
traveling will take her to the University of North Texas, in
Denton, when her time at SPC is complete. Seeling has her
dreams already set for life after college.
“I would like to be in a business where
I can take care of international customers,” Seeling says.
“I enjoy communicating, especially in a different language.”
Seeling is proof that good things come
when people follow their dreams. When asked what drives and
inspires her, Seeling referred to a quote by St. Augustine
that she likes to try to live by:
“The world is a book, and those who do
not travel read only one page.”
