INA, Ill. (April 30, 2025) 鈥� Nicolas Barclay (Waltonville), an RLC freshman in IT security, balances a life that鈥檚 full of both challenges and triumphs. His story is one of ambition, faith and an unyielding drive to grow.
Barclay owes it all to a scheduling mix-up back at Waltonville high school, where he actively avoided ag classes. He reluctantly went ahead with the Introduction to Agriculture class he had been put in by mistake. Before long he was joining the FFA (Future Farmers of America).
"As a member of the Waltonville FFA, I was encouraged by my advisor to try everything and see what I liked and what I was good at," said Barclay. "It was through the FFA that I found that my strengths were in business and management. This was proven when I was promoted to a managerial position at Culver鈥檚 in Mt. Vernon when I was 16."
Barclay efficiently crafted his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project around his work at Culver's. Documenting the ups, downs and lessons he learned as a young leader, he made it to the FFA's state level, placing third as a sophomore.
He didn鈥檛 stop there. Barclay's junior year brought him the State Proficiency Award in Food Service Placement.
"The amount of effort, joy, relief and all the other feelings I felt at that moment is impossible to describe," Barclay shared. "I learned that with hard work, faith and dedication, almost anything can be achieved."
After high school, Barclay had doubts about pursuing college. His initial goal was to own a Culver鈥檚. He quickly realized that more education would help him achieve this dream. His love for information technology eventually became a passion that challenged and inspired him to enroll in the IT Security program at RLC.
While at RLC, Barclay has been applying his skills as a Field Technician at XT Solutions in Centralia. He supports a variety of clients, including schools and courthouses.
鈥淲hat I learn in school, I can often put into practice in the real world within the same week,鈥� he said.
Barclay鈥檚 Christian faith forms the foundation of his life. It鈥檚 what drives him to succeed and overcome obstacles. He鈥檚 active in the RLC Chapter of Chi Alpha, an interdenominational Christian fellowship, and deeply involved with his home church, Gospel Encounter, in Mt. Vernon.
鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 have my faith, I wouldn鈥檛 be at RLC,鈥� he shared. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what keeps me grounded and motivated.鈥�
Barclay received the Community First Bank Scholarship to RLC.
"The scholarship has taken part of the burden off me to pay for school entirely on my own," said Barclay. "This was an immense blessing for me, and I'm so thankful for it."
Outside of school, Barclay鈥檚 independent spirit shines through. At just 18 years old, he moved into his own apartment while finishing high school and juggling a full-time management position. He managed all of this while already taking classes at RLC.
鈥淚鈥檓 fully independent and self-reliant,鈥� Barclay said. 鈥淚f I stopped coming to school, no one would hold me accountable. I鈥檓 here on my own time, my own budget and my own dedication to becoming better than I am.鈥�
Looking for purpose and direction like Nicolas? Wondering where a program at RLC could take you? Click here to learn more about 100 programs for you to consider. Or schedule time with our Career Services Specialist.