Success Story: Sean Hesse

My education at my local technical center definitely helped prepare me for taking part in the Vermont Academy of Science & Technology (VAST) program this year at Vermont Technical College. As a junior at Stafford Technical Center (STC) , I was able to start learning college academics in mathematics and engineering courses, necessary for success in the Mechanical Engineering major here at Vermont Tech. Thanks to the combination of diligence and cooperation between Vermont Tech and STC, I have been able to successfully transfer twenty credits in such classes as Tech Math, Manufacturing Processes, and Nature and Properties of Materials (just to name a few). Transferring these credits has allowed endless doors to be opened for my first semester and even my first year as well as in my career here at Vermont Tech.

I am now taking Calculus for Engineering, in my first semester, which is a course that is generally scheduled for a new student's second semester or even second year. So far, this has been an amazing experience for me and I have been succeeding in nearly all of my classes. I was shocked to find myself going to a class (Intro to Business Law) with my brother Robert who is five years older than me and is a fifth year student here.

The VAST program is an amazing opportunity for those high school seniors that have run out of challenging classes to take and those who can handle college level courses as well as the college environment.

Sean was a member of the first College Advantage Program at Stafford. Sean was able to participate in college-credited courses at the same time he was completing his academic requirements for Stafford Technical Center in Rutland, VT. Sean chose to take advantage of a History course being offered on Saturdays this past spring. Outside of the History course, all other academic instruction occurred within the normal school day. Unlike his fellow classmates, as Sean prepares for graduation from high school in June 2005, he will have close to 35 college credits behind him. This represents one-half of the necessary requirements to obtain his Associates in Engineering degree.

Sean's ability to Fast Forward his education while in high school has paved a way for his future success in his chosen career area. On behalf of the college community and coordinator of Vermont Tech's Fast Forward – College Advantage Program, I commend Sean for his diligence and hard work and wish him continued success here at Vermont Tech.

- Amy C. Ferris
Coordinator, Fast Forward – College Advantage Program
Vermont Technical College