You could say he beat the system. One student shared with his story about going through Allen County Children Services and how he’s now thriving at the University of Findlay.
Through the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, Roman Sandhu of Lima was recognized as one of five "Rising Up and Moving On" award winners. It’s an award given to those who have pushed through hard life situations and overcame obstacles to excel in their lives today.
"I think Roman can overcome any barrier that's in front of him," said Brent Bunke, program administrator at Allen County Children Services. "Roman’s proven that he’s resilient, he’s a fighter. I think Roman, whatever goal he sets in front of him, he can achieve."
Bunke met Sandhu five years ago and has since been a support system for him. Sandhu bounced around from a few high schools before graduating and is now experiencing his first semester at the University of Findlay. He said it’s the details that aren’t important to his story. It should just speak volumes that he has made it to college.
"Just the fact that anybody can make it if I was able to make it through everything," said Sandhu. "I don’t see why anybody else would have that as a barrier. The opportunities presented, just take them when you get them."
"Children all have different goals," Bunke said. "Some want to go to college, some want to enter the workforce. Children like Roman, to succeed at the level he is, is exceptional. I wish I could say it was the norm. Roman Sandhu is exceptional. Roman Sandhu is working hard achieving his goals. He wants to get into psychology down the road it’s just phenomenal to see."
Sandhu plans to help others in the future in a similar fashion. He wants to graduate and become a specialist or professor in the area of cluster b personality disorder. Maybe even open his own practice.
"If there’s ever a choice that you have to make whether one way or another, always make the choice that you think’s going to lead to the future you want to have," Sandhu said. "Always do what makes you happy at the end of the night because being miserable laying in bed is not what you want to do."
