Elyria Native Joins LCCAA Board

posted 5/12/21 -- “I care about young people’s future. I think it’s my responsibility to find the potential and nurture it.”

Elyria native and former Head Start student Rochell Corn has joined the LCCAA Board of Directors as one more way to help others. The former high school basketball star has been teaching for several years and volunteering at her church.

“I try to encourage the students,” she said. “You have to show people you genuinely care. If you’re hungry, you’re not going to hear anything. I don’t really talk about the future because they’re trying to live in their now.”

Corn knows how difficult now can be. After graduating high school and heading to Kent State University on a basketball scholarship, she battled addiction and became a single mom. In 2009, she earned her associate’s degree at Lorain County Community College and completed her bachelor’s and teaching license through Cleveland State and Ashland universities.

This year, she has worked as a success coach for Horizon Sciences Academy while they navigate online learning during the pandemic. Many of her students are homeless or have difficult home lives. She works to encourage them and keep them moving forward toward graduation, even knocking on their doors if they don’t respond to her phone calls. She’ll do the same for the GED students she teaches through LCCC.

“In my teaching, I try to teach life principles,” she said. “I want them to be good citizens.”

Corn said she had to learn about LCCAA when board members Vassie Scott and Rev. Calvin Currie suggested her for the seat. What she found fits her well and she’s grateful for the opportunity to continue to support her community.

“I’m all about the underdog,” she said. “I’m all about the community.”