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Blog Archive: A High School Student

Monica Sargent
17 Dec

Celebrating Monica Sargent: 44 years, more than 7,000 lives touched

Written by
Sabina Haskell

Monica Sargent is a native Vermonter who grew up in Johnson, the fourth generation of her family to do so. She was the fifth of six children of parents who worked in the talc and woolen industries in town. Her older siblings preceded her in college attendance, two earning associate degrees, one from…
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Kelsey Stratton photo
11 Dec

Talent Search alum Kelsey Stratton gives back to her hometown

Written by
Emily Stetson

Speaking with special education teacher and Talent Search alum Kelsey Stratton is nothing short of inspiring. A native of Randolph Union High School, Kelsey credits both her ability to give back to her students and her interest in education to the support VSAC gave to her as a young student. For…
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Hawa Abdi
15 Oct

Hawa Abdi wants to help others create second chances

Written by
Sabina Haskell

When 18-year-old Hawa Abdi was 2 years old, her parents made the decision to emigrate from Africa to the United States, where they knew they could give their children a life filled with education and opportunity, rather than poverty and political persecution – things they had personally experienced…
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Abdi Mohamed
23 Sep

Abdi Mohamed: “We came here for education”

Written by
Sabina Haskell

Abdimajiid Mohamed is in search of total bliss when it comes to career planning … among other things. “Any job that I get up in the morning happy to go to would be great,” he says. “Life’s too short not to be happy.” For Mohamed, now a student at Trine University in Angola, Indiana, a major in…
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Dr. Cody Paiva
28 Jul

Dr. Cody Paiva’s amazing personal and educational journey

Written by
Sabina Haskell

Dr. Cody Paiva, a 2009 graduate of Blue Mountain Union High School in Wells River and a 2020 medical degree recipient from Pacific Northwest University in Yakima, Washington, was once his mother’s boss at McDonald’s. It’s a quirky twist of fate that helps tell the story of a young man from humble…
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Kayce Gorton
15 Jun

Kayce Gorton: “Listen to what’s in your heart.”

Written by
Sabina Haskell

Visit the website for Northern Vermont University-Johnson, and near the top of the announcements list you’ll find a link to a special “virtual celebration” of the graduating Class of 2020 — a group of accomplished young Americans who will always be remembered as the “COVID-19 class,” graduating in a…
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