Hats off to This Year’s Graduates!
Graduation season has arrived. Students are donning caps and gowns, fine-tuning their speeches, and looking ahead to what comes next. VSAC is proud to recognize a few of the students we’ve recently worked with.
Each one shared a story shaped by resilience, effort, and the drive to move forward. Here’s to the Class of 2026—congratulations on what you’ve achieved, and what lies ahead.
Lucie Hobbs-Johnson is graduating, degree in dental hygiene in hand.
Lucie Hobbs-Johnson is an adult student who, after a culinary career, went back to school to work toward a dental hygiene degree from Vermont State University.
In her own words:
“I thought, ‘let’s take some classes and see what it’s like,’” Lucie says. “I wanted to help people, and this is something I could really help my community with.”
On working with VSAC:
“There’s no way I could have done this without VSAC,” Lucie says.
Ran Wang is an outreach counselor with VSAC’s Educational Opportunity Center, working with adults who wish to continue their education in pursuit of career change or advancement. She’s counseled Lucie for several years, matching her up with educational grants and emergency funding to help her with unexpected financial challenges.
“When I needed a new computer, they found funds for me. When I had an emergency with my vehicle, they helped me out. Ran has come through each and every time. I’m so glad to have her on my side. I go to her and I’m all frantic, and she says, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ She pulls magic out. I’m just awestruck how she’s helped me along and encouraged me.
Lee Blanco thought about what he could do for others like him
Lee is about to graduate from Lake Region Union High School. He is heading to Plymouth State University in the fall to study psychiatric nursing.
In his own words:
“Part of why I want to work in psychiatric medicine with adolescents specifically is because a large percent of trans youth end up experiencing a mental health crisis at some point in their life,” Lee said. “I’d like to show that trans individuals can grow past adolescence and thrive in their futures, too.”
On working with VSAC:
Since middle school, Lee had been working with Dylan Bertolini, an outreach counselor with VSAC’s GEAR UP college and career readiness program. As high school graduation grew closer, Dylan helped Lee think about opportunities after high school and what help was available to get him there. Dylan also helped him understand that an accessible financial aid package could make Lee’s dreams possible.
“I’ve scraped together a package that is starting to work for me,” Lee said. “This would have been so hard without VSAC and I don’t think I would have even been able to dream it, much less do it, without them.” With Dylan’s help, Lee is working to close the gap between his college costs and his financial aid package.
Lily Call is looking at nursing and diagnostic imaging.
Lily is graduating from St Johnsbury Academy. She plans to attend Vermont State University's Lyndon campus.
In her own words:
"I really love working with people and caring for them when they are struggling,” she shared. She passed her LNA licensure test last year. “I learned so much about how people deal with stress and pressure. Those experiences nailed down for me that I’m on the right path."
On working with VSAC:
“I started meeting with Trish every month,” Lily says. Trish Turner is an outreach counselor in VSAC’s GEAR UP college and career readiness program. “This is a new experience for me and for my family, so she’s answering a ton of questions for us. She’s also always willing to meet with us,” she adds.
For a student juggling high honors, class council, and multiple other extracurriculars, having a dedicated professional to demystify the FAFSA and the Vermont Grant proved essential. "She really cares about me and checks in with me about what I’m doing and how I’m doing,” Lily adds.
Maura Thompson will be studying biology on her way to becoming an anesthesiologist
A senior at Proctor Junior/Senior High School, Maura will be off to SUNY Plattsburgh in a few short months. There, she’ll be studying biology, to eventually become an anesthesiologist.
In her own words:
Her interest in medicine is a “carry over from younger me,” she said, adding that the medical profession has impacted her family a lot, especially her mom, who had multiple surgeries when Maura was young.
On working with VSAC:
Since the 9th grade, Maura’s been involved with VSAC’s GEAR UP college and career readiness program. Through regular meetings at the school library, her VSAC outreach counselor, Nate Hickey, guided her through the steps she would need to take to get to college.
“I thought it was going to be so much more expensive to go to college,” she said. “I feel so lucky. My gap is manageable and Nate has put me at ease.”
“There were so many steps to take,” Maura shared. “But I can’t imagine a better experience. Nate is so thorough and helped me understand what I needed to do and what my options were each step of the way.”
Aubrianna Mayette is pursuing aerospace engineering and enlisting in the National Guard
Aubrianna is about to graduate from Enosburg Falls High School, from which she’ll be heading to Clarkson University to earn a degree in aerospace engineering and work toward her dream position in the military, Crew Chief.
In her own words:
“I want to be able to serve my country and do the job that sparks magic inside me. And I want to be happy that I’m there and working with the people that I’m working with.”
On working with VSAC:
Starting her freshman year of high school, Aubrianna met regularly with Emily Richard-Douglas, an outreach counselor in VSAC’s Talent Search program. Emily helped Aubrianna navigate everything, giving her a “101” on the college application and financial aid process, helping her write an impactful essay, and figure out what her financial aid package means for her. “VSAC has been my rock,” Aubrianna added.
With the assistance of the Talent Search program, Aubrianna was able to closely consider nearly ten colleges to find the right fit. “It really expanded my options, because without the flexibility they gave me and the fact that VSAC covered the application fee. I really would have been limited to one, maybe two colleges. We couldn’t afford the application fees,” she noted. She especially appreciates Emily’s reassurance. “She’s been there when I have my stressful moments, and makes me see I can get through it,” she laughed.
OJ Daring will graduate from Champlain College this month
OJ is double majoring in film and finance at Champlain College. He is both curious and pragmatic, and wants to make sure he can support himself.
In his own words:
“Film was always my main focus. Finance came in because money is always in the back of my mind. If I want to start a business or just understand how things work, that’s going to help me."
“I have a lot of different ideas. Hollywood has always been the dream, but I could also see myself going the niche route—working in marketing for a company, or starting a business of my own.”
On working with VSAC:
“GEAR UP was one of the biggest supports for me. Starting in eighth grade, I had an advisor who talked to me about loans, tuition sticker price, internships, study abroad, all of that. They put me in the right mindset and helped me stay on track. If I was doing it on my own, I might have figured some of it out, but I wouldn’t have come as far. They supported me so much.”
Liah Thibault will study accounting and business at Saint Michael’s College
Liah will be attending Saint Michael’s College (SMC) in the fall, SMC Book Award in hand. She’ll graduate from Canaan School next month.
In her own words:
“I’ve been committed to attending Saint Mike’s since receiving my Book Award, and I’m just so excited to see it happening.”
On working with VSAC:
“I’ve been working with VSAC’s GEAR UP program since my freshman year of high school,” Liah said. “I’ve done a ton of research with Jesse to figure out how to pay for school. It’s my goal and I’m going to make it happen.”
Jesse helped Liah look for local scholarships, as well as ones specifically for business or accounting. They did the FAFSA federal financial aid forms together and are continuing to look for and apply for aid. Liah has about $5,000 left to cover after her current financial aid package and her Book Award. “I know we’ll figure it out together, and when we do it will be a huge relief,” she stated.
