Success Stories
First Graduate of the 2006 Class, Jeremy Bolduc
2006 Graduating Class
2005 Graduation Speech
I would like tell you about my experience at the North Country Charter Academy. Last year I was a junior and I got into a lot of trouble at the end of the year. My actions made me ineligible to graduate with my class. My school guidance counselor told me about the North Country Charter Academy and I thought it was a good idea. There is no doubt in my mind that if I had not attended the North Country Charter Academy I would have dropped out of high school. I didn't really worry about being a dropout, but I had made a promise to my mother on her death bed that I would graduate. It would have been a long life knowing that I had lied to my mother. But today I am fulfilling my promise. I would like to thank all of the staff and people who helped put the school together.
Proud Graduate
One graduate, a wife and mother will be attending Granite State College starting in September to pursue a dual degree in Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science. She has been very involved in public speaking on behalf of the Academy as well as fundraising for the graduation ceremony. She never thought she would graduate high school after dropping out in 2001. She applied to the Academy two weeks before her 22nd birthday, just making the age limit. Her goals are set high, she now feels after accomplishing the task of graduating that she can accomplish anything. She spoke at the graduation ceremony and one of the most poignant lines in her speech was that she will never have to tell her daughter she did not earned her high school diploma. She has also completed training with the State Department of Transportation and has been hired as the NCCA van driver for the 2005-2006 school year. She was awarded a $500.00 scholarship donated from Ombudsman Educational Service.
New Outlook on the Future
Another graduate dropped out of school in 2002. She struggled through all four years of high school, having great difficulties with other students and her academics. After loosing her friend in a tragic accident on Prom night she dropped out of school. Her home life was no less traumatic including foster care placement. She feels the smaller more focused setting at the Academy has served her well. Her attendance was at 91.7%. Her plans for the future (starting her own business) could not have been considered without her high school diploma. She is a very talented and bright young woman and mother. She feels her outlook is much brighter since she came into the program. She works as a floral designer for a local shop and has been taking online courses since she graduated. This graduate received the President's Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
Finding her own way
Another young mother in our program did not return to school after she gave birth to her daughter during her junior year. She expressed the desire to finish her high school education to her former Guidance Counselor but told him she felt she could not return to the traditional high school setting. This student has no family support. Since her acceptance to NCCA she has had to move 4 times with her child to avoid returning home to an unsafe environment and had still managed to keep her attendance rating at 85.4%. Academically, this student far exceeded her teacher's expectations. During Christmas of 2004 we were able to find her and her child suitable housing so she could have a stable environment to finish her high school career. She plans to further her education in the Early Childhood Education field and is investigating several possibilities. She is currently planning on taking an LNA course so that she can secure better employment while she peruses her higher education goals. This graduate received the President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence.
Building Confidence
One graduate continued to struggle while enrolled at the Academy. He had a very difficult time getting to school on time. One of his fellow seniors would go to his house on an almost daily basis to ensure his attendance. We could see that this particular student needed extra encouragement in the form of phone calls and long conversations. After graduation we continued to be concerned about what he was going to do with his future. This graduate has now taken the initiative to contact us and with our assistance he will be attending Granite State College this fall to pursue a degree in Behavioral Science. With our assistance, he has visited the New Hampshire Employment Security Office twice and is actively seeking employment
Working for a brighter future
One student withdrew in his senior year with 22 credits. The traditional setting was just not working for him anymore. He found it very stressful and difficult to concentrate causing his grades to drop. While attending NCCA he actually experienced enjoying coming to school. He had a 95.8% attendance rate. He worked full time at a ski resort while enrolled and he also helped two other students secure a job at the resort. He spoke on behalf of the Academy on several occasions. This student went out of his way to assist his fellow students in any way he could. He received the American Citizenship Award. He is interested in pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. At the present time he is employed as a merchandiser for Pepsi.
