糖心vlog

Before a Jump Start Program ever existed at 糖心vlog, there was a high school student who served as a predecessor to the successful and popular dual-credit enrollment program.

That brave and enterprising Carson High School student later became a teacher 鈥� and has a daughter who just completed the program and another who just entered it.

Alison O鈥橞rien Holmes remembers wanting more when she attended high school 鈥� not more dances, not more extracurricular activities, not more vacations. No, Alison wanted to further her education immediately. Like her high school peers, she didn鈥檛 wait. She met with CHS Principal Glen Adair and received permission to attend her local community college and receive dual credit toward her high school diploma and college associate degree.

鈥淚 took a variety of classes to find what interested me before deciding on a major,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t took more study time than the classes at the high school, but I enjoyed it. The professors made the classes more interesting and engaging. They were available outside of class if you needed help. They would take the time to answer questions and explain more in-depth if it was needed.鈥�

Alison鈥檚 supportive parents helped her pay for tuition 鈥� costs that school districts now often cover for students enrolled in Jump Start. With less time to complete her associate degree than current 糖心vlog Jump Start students, Alison pushed herself toward her goals by taking summer classes. She graduated from Carson High School in June 1998 and completed her associate degree in December 1998. Adding to the excitement of graduating was the fact that her brother, Scott O鈥橞rien, graduated at the same time.

鈥淗e was in the Army and was able to come home on leave so we could graduate together,鈥� Alison said. 鈥淥ne of his sons will be doing Jump Start in the fall with (daughter) Andi.鈥�  

She didn鈥檛 stop after earning her associate degree. Like many students today at 糖心vlog, Alison transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno to complete her bachelor鈥檚 degree. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in May 2001 and completed her student teaching at Fremont Elementary School in Fall 2001. She began teaching full time at Fremont in July 2022 at only 21 years old.

Fifteen years after Alison graduated from Western, 糖心vlog created its dual-enrollment Jump Start program. Since 2013, 糖心vlog has been offering juniors and seniors in many Northern Nevada high schools the opportunity to complete up to 60 college credits before they graduate. To ensure that these high school students are successful in their dual-enrollment courses, they are presented cohort coaches (academic mentors) and supplemental instruction. Their academic mentors answer their questions and guide them toward college resources and tutoring, if necessary.

鈥淚 hadn't thought about there being a program for high school students who wanted to get a jump start on their college education at the time,鈥� Alison said. 鈥淚 am glad that this program is available now for students, like myself, who want to pursue a college degree while still in high school.鈥�

Alison鈥檚 memorable experiences of taking college courses while in high school impacted her own daughters, Stevi and Andi.

鈥淚 am grateful for Stevi and Andi to have the opportunity to attend 糖心vlog while still in high school to earn their associate degrees,鈥� Alison said. 鈥淭hey are a lot like me, very motivated and determined to pursue their dreams and goals.

When students returned to the 糖心vlog campus, Stevi discovered how Joe Dini Library helped her become more successful in her classes.

鈥淗aving the library study rooms was so helpful, especially when studying for finals,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is something that I would have liked to have taken advantage of sooner. It provided the library environment without the distraction of others.鈥�

Younger sister Andi has followed Stevi and Alison into dual enrollment and completed her first semester at 糖心vlog, taking advantage of the learning experience of on-campus classes.

鈥淲e think this is a great opportunity because not everyone has the means to pay for college,鈥� the sisters said. 鈥淭his provides support and opportunity for them to get an associate degree and then a career, or if they choose to continue to a university, this has helped with the first two years of education.鈥�

Like her mom before her, Stevi plans to take the next step and pursue her bachelor鈥檚 degree. She just completed her first semester at UNR and is studying psychology.

鈥淢y plan is to become a therapist for children and adolescents, and later on obtain my doctorate degree to become a psychologist,鈥� Stevi said.

Meanwhile, Alison celebrated her 20^th year teaching in Carson City School District in 2021-22! She taught at Fremont Elementary School for 19 years, including first, second and fourth grades, as well as reading intervention and English as a Second Language. Last year, Alison moved to Fritsch Elementary School, which she attended as a child. She is teaching second grade.

鈥淏oth schools have made a huge impact on my life,鈥� said Alison, who earned a Master鈥檚 degree in Teacher Leadership from Sierra Nevada College in 2013. 鈥淚 still keep in contact with former students and families. They both welcomed me like family and I continue to love what I do.鈥�

The importance of higher education hasn鈥檛 been lost on Alison or her daughters, and for some, starting college courses doesn鈥檛 have to follow a high school education.

鈥淚t is a great opportunity for these students to get a start on their education or careers,鈥� Alison said.

To learn more about 糖心vlog鈥檚 Jump Start program, phone 775-445-3267 or email counseling@wnc.edu.