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Blog Archive: A High School Student

Mersadies Shantie
On February 12, 2018, when Mersadies Shantie was 12 years old, her mom suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. That night, still stunned from the loss, Mersadies left her home in Mooers Forks, New York, and moved to Sheldon, Vermont, to live with her dad, stepmom and three adopted sisters. “It was…
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FAFSA paper on clipboard.
This past fall the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced plans to release an updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 school year. The FAFSA is the first step in getting financial aid for college and many career training programs…
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FAFSA 2024-25 Application is here
If you’re an education professional, student, or parent you’ve we know you’ve been waiting on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) rollout. The FAFSA application is the first step in getting financial aid for college and career training programs. The FAFSA is usually available in…
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Tia Stillman and Olivia Scher
51¸£ÀûÉç Counselor Tia Stillman and Orwell student Olivia Scher bonded over their goals and drive to help people – as well as being people of color in a small Vermont town. As a kid, Olivia Scher was one of very few people of color in tiny Orwell, Vermont. One other person was her elementary school…
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Vermont Students Give Thanks
The Thanksgiving season is for giving thanks and giving back. In that spirit, we wanted to highlight three Vermont students we’ve profiled in 2023, who, thanks to the support of their families, their employers, and the 51¸£ÀûÉç counselors who guided them on their college and career paths, are on their…
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51¸£ÀûÉç staff and Eleanor Placey in Newbury, VT
Eleanor Placey of the Newbury High School Alumni Association and 51¸£ÀûÉç VP Tom Little, with the historic Newbury School and church in the background. Newbury High School alumni enable local Oxbow students to fund their future with the Newbury Alumni Memorial Scholarship. Eleanor Placey, a longtime…
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Kristen Moore with family
Vermonter Kristen Merchant Moore is inspired to help youth after the death of her father, a Veteran. Kristen Merchant Moore’s father always emphasized the importance of education. When he became one of the first Vermont National Guard members to die in the Iraq War in 2006, his service to his…
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