Three NHS graduates go above and beyond
Katelynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
Not many people can say that they received a college degree before even graduating from high school. But dual enrollment has made such an achievement possible for some, and three 2020 Newcastle High School graduates – Shelby Stith, Madi Pearson and Tessa Vandersnick – have used the classes offered by Eastern Wyoming College to earn their associate degree.
Stith, the daughter of Mike Stith and Christy Porter, was involved in several extracurricular activities throughout her high school career. She participated in numerous sports, FFA and other activities.
A highlight for Stith in her years in FFA was when she qualified for the National FFA Convention with her Sales and Service Team this year. The Wyoming team placed in the top 20 out of all 50 states.
Welding, metal fabrications and wood shop were also among Stith’s classes, as well as classes that counted as college elective credits.
“It allowed me to use my creativity,” Stith said.
A proponent of agriculture and science, Stith aimed much of her high school projects toward environmental and management studies. Her sophomore year, she said, she won the Wyoming State Agriscience Fair with her solar water distiller – made out of “shop scraps” and things that would be readily available to most people.
Stith took a lot of general credits from EWC and has completed most of what she would have to take in her freshman and sophomore years at college.
“It’s going to save me a lot of money in the long run,” Stith said.
Stith’s reasons for earning her associate degree stem mainly from her drive and focus, she said. As the first person in her family with a degree, she said, she plans to attend the University of Wyoming and study rangeland management and watershed ecology for her bachelor’s degree. After that, she hopes to work for a government agency such as the Bureau of Land Management or the Natural Resource Conservation District.
“I’ve got the drive,” Stith said.
While happy to take the opportunity to get a college degree while also graduating from high school, Stith said, she wants to remind those still in school to not overload themselves.
“Just try and keep up with what you’re doing, don’t weigh yourself down,” Stith said.
Stith said that the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t really dampened the excitement of graduation, and she’s excited for the unique opportunity that it presents.
Pearson, daughter of Cindy and Randy Pearson, said that her strong work ethic and desire to do her best propelled her to maintain a 4.0 GPA, receive valedictorian honors and complete her associate degree.
“I like to plan out everything,” Pearson said, “I have a really strong work ethic.”
Pearson noted that she took college courses every year, beginning with her freshman year, in order to spread the workload out a bit. She even took at least one course every summer.
Some of her favorite high school memories involve FBLA, student council, volleyball and basketball. The Regional State Basketball Tournament, held in Newcastle, was a highlight of this year, she said.
Pearson, who plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in business at Dickinson State University in North Dakota, said that if she stays on track, she could get her degree in about 2½ years. Pearson also cited the economic advantage of completing her associate degree while in high school.
The courses Pearson took will help cut down the general education requirements needed for her business degree. Pearson said that she was heavily influenced by her parents and her sister, Emily, who also received her associate degree in high school. Her internships at Pinnacle Bank and Ramsey Realty helped her decide that she wanted to go into business, Pearson said.
“Being a business major is what I want to be,” Pearson said.
Pearson hopes to be a loan officer or an accountant after college, but she said that she wants to keep the future open and just wants to do something she loves.
While disappointed by the effect the pandemic has on graduation this year, Pearson said, she learned the importance of making the most out of every situation.
“You really have to roll with the punches of life,” Pearson said.
Vandersnick’s high school experience was a mixture of fun and stress, she said. While she enjoyed hanging out with friends, she said, there were also sleepless nights filled with studying.
Vandersnick, who was also named a valedictorian, didn’t plan on that or on getting an associate degree. She said that when she got into high school, she decided to try to pick up her grades, and after getting straight A’s for a while, it turned into a goal to become valedictorian.
As for the associate degree, Vandersnick said that EWC’s Kim Conzelman approached her before Christmas break of her junior year and told her she was on track to receive her associate degree and just needed to work a little harder. Vandersnick decided to take the opportunity and work hard to achieve it.
Most of Vandersnick’s favorite memories revolve around the small things, such as spending time with friends. A few of her favorite accomplishments include helping her computer applications teacher, helping fellow students with their assignments, winning first place in one of the categories in the science fair in Newcastle this year, her two-year presidency of the Newcastle Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter and her involvement in the National Honor Society. Her parents, Amber and Joseph Vandersnick, and her best friend, James, have encouraged her on this wild ride, Vandersnick said. When all the hard work got to her at times and made her want to give up, Vandersnick said that they were always there to encourage her.
Vandersnick plans to attend Black Hills State University and eventually transfer to the University of Tampa in Florida. She wants to pursue a doctorate in psychology and a minor in education.
Her advice to those still in school is to not let the opinions of others shape who you become, but to be who you want to be.
“You shape yourself,” Vandersnick said. Because, she said, at the end of the day, it’s only your opinion of yourself that matters.