Main Content

Blog Archive: Applying to College

17 Aug

Determined New Arrival student, Ranjita Sarki, proves what hard work can amount to

Written by
Dilys Pierson

Ranjita Sarki, who graduated from Colchester High School this spring, is a soft-spoken and modest young woman who nevertheless makes quite an impression. Her VSAC outreach counselor, Liam Danaher, said she was one of the students who had the greatest impact on him during the past academic year, even…

10 Aug

In high school, Isabel Cobb was a one-woman band. Now she heads to college with a full VSAC scholarship.

Written by
Dilys Pierson

Isabel Cobb is used to swimming in a fairly small pond. The majority of her graduating class at Springfield High School has been together since kindergarten. The school band was so small — only six students total — that Isabel had to learn to play six different instruments. (Which one did she like…

03 Aug

Victor Hinojosa seizes chances to overcome tragic family history

Written by
Dilys Pierson

Twenty-one-year-old Victor Hinojosa will graduate this winter from Norwich University on a full military scholarship. He’s an Eagle Scout, attended Boys’ State in high school, and secured a coveted internship in the Governor’s office his freshman year of college. He’s now working full time as an…

27 Jul

High expectations and a desire for growth fuel Gabriel Unwin’s college dream

Written by
Dilys Pierson

Gabriel Unwin grew up fast. The second child born to a teenage mother before her 18th birthday, Gabe spent his childhood and early teen years living in a two-bedroom trailer in Highgate, where he and his older sister mostly raised their three younger siblings. Their mom, who was busy working three…

20 Jul

Adrianne Hutchin wants to support her community as a family law attorney

Written by
Dilys Pierson

Adrianne Hutchin wants to support her community as a family law attorney “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’ve succeeded.” It’s hard to speak with Adrianne Hutchin and not leave inspired. The fifth-generation…

13 Jul

McKayla Marble, a community “big sister,” looks to work with children

Written by
Dilys Pierson

Although McKayla Marble is an only child, she’s played the important “big sister” role a few times for younger children in her community: first as a foster “sibling” and more recently as a regular babysitter for a three-year-old boy in her hometown of Johnson.

29 Jun

Allie Root refused to let a pandemic sidetrack her college plans

Written by
Dilys Pierson

While COVID definitely changed the day-to-day experience for all Vermont students — from preschoolers to postgrads — the pandemic had another layer of impact for high school juniors and seniors who were applying to colleges over the last 15 months. Students weren’t able to visit campuses in person…

23 Jun

GEAR UP Alum Dylan Bertolini returns to VSAC as a counselor in the NEK

Written by
Dilys Pierson

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…

15 Jun

For Aaron Premont, family is everything

Written by
Emily Stetson

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…

03 Jun

With curiosity and determination, Amina Malagic is set for success

Written by
Emily Stetson

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…

Upcoming Events

Blog Archive: Applying to College