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Blog Archive: About VSAC

For Dylan Bertolini, the decision to accept a job as a VSAC outreach counselor in the Northeast Kingdom this past February was more than just a career move. It was personal. Dylan, who grew up in Danville, is driven by the opportunity to be involved with the community that raised him, in which, he…
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When 21-year-old UVM junior Aaron Premont talks about his weekly schedule, it’s clear why others have described him as a “spark plug.” “I work at Texas Roadhouse on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; then I have my internship at the radio station on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; and classes in between…
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When it came to college and career paths, Spaulding High School senior Amina Malagic had two strong role models growing up: her older sisters. Both were high achievers who graduated from UVM and went on to graduate school; one has her MBA, and the other is pursuing her DPM. “I grew up seeing my…
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Alex Dufresne, a senior at Twinfield Union High School in Marshfield, admits that his high-school academic experience has been a bit of a roller coaster. “My grades have been really good one year, then really bad the next, then pretty good the next year,” says Alex, who also had some up-and-down…
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Twenty-one-year-old Meadow Yvon is just the sort of person you’d want to have as your dental hygienist. She’s diligent and sensitive — and clearly attentive to the needs and feelings of others. “I’ve just always wanted to help people,” Meadow says of the thought process that led her to pursue a…
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Lyndon Institute senior Holden Middleton is a three-season athlete, two-year student-body president, and all-around leader whose personal joy is deeply intertwined with making sure others have a fun experience. “It feels great being so integrated with the school,” he says. “Organizing winter…
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“I never thought about what I wanted to do when I grew up,” says Vicky Mills. “No one in my family went to college, and my brother and mother didn’t finish high school.” By Vicky’s own account, her journey to VSAC’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program has not been a straight line. She…
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“My journey started with a divorce,” recalls 37-year-old Amber Wescott. Three years ago, she was a stay-at-home mom, living in St. Albans with three children ages 9 to 12. Supporting them on her own was a struggle, so she decided to go back to school to train for a profession that would help her…
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“I think Seth is one of the most self-motivated, ‘cup-half-full’ students that I work with,” said Soren Dews, Seth Jackson’s VSAC counselor. “Even if it's an obstacle, he looks at it as ‘how can I get through this? How can I get motivated?’ I think that is so impressive.” The Burlington High School…
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“Without VSAC and my guidance counselor, I wouldn't be where I am right now.” Nikiah Viger’s experience with VSAC shaped her career. Now as the senior financial aid officer at VTSU Castleton, Nikiah works to make college possible for all students, including first-generation college students like…
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