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Alex Van Dyck
Alex is an 8th grade graduate from Wisconsin Connections Academy (WCA). He lives in De Pere, Wisconsin. Alex was a student at WCA for eight years, since kindergarten. He is the recipient of the National Nicholas Green Award, which is an award and scholarship program designed to recognize distinguished achievement in academics, leadership, or the arts, in children grades 3 through 6. When he grows up, he “would like to enter the field of engineering. I enjoy inventing things and figuring out how certain things work.” He tells his story below.
“What works for me as a WCA student is being able to work and advance independently at my own pace. When I need help I have all kinds of options. I can ask my Learning Coach or contact my subject teacher and I always get a response that day or the very next. The format of my math and Achieve 3000 current events class is one I enjoy. I dial in to our white board and can interact with our teacher and fellow students. My favorite class is history because I’m thoroughly excited when it comes to learning about the past and how the past can impact what happens in our future. As it’s been proven, history can repeat itself.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy being on the YMCA Swim Team and I am currently working towards earning my black belt in martial arts. I also take piano lessons for music. I am president of our local 4-H club, where our members do a great deal of community service. The club also allows me opportunities to apply what I learn in school.”
Alex graduated from WCA middle school in 2011 and is now attending an accelerated engineering program at his local brick-and-mortar high school. His mother reports that he "is a total success story and that she receives constant positive feedback from all of Alex's teachers". She also says that Alex "stands out as a student because of Connections Academy's curriculum and structure". Way to go Alex! We are so very proud of your success!