VSAC will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of Independence Day.
Blog Archive: Applying to College
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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For Georgette Niyokindi, getting a college degree gives her the opportunity to give back to her new community: Burlington, Vermont. Currently enrolled at the Community College of Vermont, Georgette is on track to receive a degree in behavioral science before focusing her studies on social work. Her…
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“Success is helping other people. If I can go to bed and know that I made a difference in a person's life that day , then I have succeeded.” It’s hard to speak with Adrianne Hutchin and not leave inspired. The fifth-generation Vermonter and mother of five children is determined to give back to her…
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