NEK students see Lyndon State up close and personal

WINOOSKI (January 17, 2017) – Lyndon State College’s men’s basketball team and their head coach have been scoring points around the Northeast Kingdom with visits to local schools organized by Vermont Student Assistance Corp.

From North Country Union Junior High School to Coventry Village School, Troy Elementary School, Charleston and Brighton, the team and Coach Dorsey talk about the challenges of being the first in their families to go to college and how to make a successful transition when you don’t think you’re ready.

Coach Dorsey told students about his experiences growing up in Columbus, Ohio and the challenges he faced as a first generation, low-income student in high school and college. Basketball became his outlet and what kept him in school, but he lacked the guidance he needed to be academically prepared for college.  After graduating from high school Coach Dorsey attended community college in order to prepare himself academically for a four-year college.

He transferred to Lyndon State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. While at LSC, Coach Dorsey started to focus on the goals he wanted to accomplish as a man, an athlete and a student. Coach Dorsey also spoke about the obstacles the players on his team have faced and overcame to attend college and play basketball.

NCUJHS students had the opportunity to meet with the basketball players in breakout groups. The players were asked questions from the students about the transition to college, what is it like to play basketball in college, what are the players’ majors, and what are their plans after college. The players shared their experiences of being the first in their families to go to college; the obstacles they have overcame and stressed how important it is to focus on academics while in high school

Members of LSC’s men’s team included Raymond Monroe, Eric Vargas, Charles Correa, Darren Williams, Cory Frost, Jojo Woodruff, CJ Jimmy, Kendrick Mills, Darnay Gray, and Ife Jimmy.

VSAC partners with these schools through its federal GEAR UP grant, which works with 3,200 middle and high school students at over 50 schools across the state, as well as 200 college freshmen. VSAC counselors also provide outreach to students’ families, helping to make sure they have the college and career planning information—and the financial support—they need to best support their children throughout their education journey.

About VSAC – Changing Lives through Education and Training since 1965

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school. VSAC serves students and their families in grades 7-12, as well as adults returning to school, by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. VSAC has awarded more than $600 million in grants and scholarships for Vermont students, and also administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan. Share your VSAC story by email to vsacstudents@gmail.com or submit a video to YouTube. Find us at www.vsac.org or check in on Facebook and Twitter. #changing lives

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 17th, 2017 at 10:13 am and is filed under News & Views, Recommended Reading, Uncategorized, VSAC News Releases. Both comments and pings are currently closed.