First-generation business junior finds her passion working with children, says her goal is to be a role model

Butte native Tylar Clary says she always knew she wanted to go to college.

“It was always my main goal,” Clary said. “I was always going to go to college no matter what.”

When she was younger, Clary thought she would go to Notre Dame, but as she grew older, she realized the benefits of staying closer to home, where she could continue to have quality time with younger sisters Payton and Autumn.

She applied to Montana Tech, and one day during her senior year of high school, she got a call that she had been selected to receive the Rolin Erickson Montana Resources Opportunity Scholarship. The scholarship provides 4-year, full-ride scholarships for first-generation Butte students.

“It was very exciting,” Clary said. “My parents were crying.”

Clary says the scholarship had major impact on her journey as a student.

“It does make a huge difference. I don’t have to worry about anything as far as cost. I focus on my grades,” Clary said.

Having the scholarship is also a motivator for Clary.

“You still have to work your hardest,” Clary said. “You can’t take it for granted.”

When Clary arrived at Montana Tech, she jumped in feet first. Her closest friend from high school had moved away to Washington.

“I thought ‘this is going to be tough,’” Clary remembers. “But I found refereeing and coaching, then I started to make a lot of friends. I met so many new people and now they are still my best friends. Now I have a friend in every class.”

As a current junior Clary runs the Business Department’s Instagram, is an active member of the Business Guild, works at a daycare when she has free time, coaches a sixth-grade girls basketball team, babysits, pet sits, and referee’s youth basketball.

“People will text me months in advance to watch their kids or pets,” Clary said. “My calendar is planned out till February. I have three practices, and three or four games a week to referee.”

Clary said she adjusted to college easily. She’s a straight A student. She says having great parents was a big help.

“My parents are huge supporters of me,” Clary said. “Anything I need, they are there. Without them I’d be running around like crazy.”

Having Theresa Rader available to answer questions also was a big help. She’s the executive director of the Institute for Educational Opportunities, which oversees TRIO Support Services. TRIO is tasked with assisting first-generation and low-income students on campus.

“I talk to Theresa a lot,” Clary said. “She was my main person. I didn’t really struggle with school, but it was amazing having someone like Theresa to help if I needed it.”

Clary believes college is the place to find your passion.

“You have to find your calling and your place at Tech,” Clary said.

Hers is working with children. She says whatever she does after graduation will have children involved.

“It has to be something with kids,” Clary said. “I don’t know if that’s sarting my own daycare or my own traveling teams or pursuing becoming a teacher, but it has to be something with kids.”

Clary says working with young people is important to her.

“I just like to be a good role model, and give back because I remember being that age and looking up to my coach,” Clary said. “I want them to know I go to school. I get good grades. Having that positive impact on them is super important. They look up to you and it’s important that they have that role model.”