Annelise A.
Graduate of Iowa Connections Academy
A Very Flexible School, a Very Appreciative Student
Annelise A. is a recent graduate of Iowa Connections Academy and will attend the University of Northern Iowa, where she’ll major in English education and minor in marketing. Annelise says, “I’ve wanted to become an English teacher since about middle school … I intend to get my doctorate.
"I decided to minor in marketing thanks to an internship I had through Iowa Connections Academy. … I got to work with Meta and see what companies like that are learning and doing behind the scenes. It was a really fun, cool program.”
Annelise also took part in our school’s College & Career Readiness offering and says, “We worked on our resumes and practiced writing college application essays. The program helped me get a step up … I felt so much more prepared than I would’ve been otherwise.”
Great Flexibility and Great Friendships
Annelise was involved in many of our school’s clubs and activities, and says, “The flexibility of this school allowed so much time for all my interests. … I was in Future Business Leaders of America, Writer's Oasis, and the Art Club.”
“I was also in the Drama Club, Student Council, and the Leadership Club … and was head of the prom planning committee. I don't think I could’ve done all that in a traditional school setting.
“When I first looked into attending this school, I was nervous about the social circumstances. I thought there would be fewer opportunities to meet people, but I found that I was able to meet a lot of people through the organizations and clubs I joined. I met more like-minded people than at my previous school, which meant a lot to me.”
If I were to describe my experience here in two words, they would be ‘learning’ and ‘opportunity’. I had so many opportunities I never would’ve had if it weren’t for this school, and I learned so much about myself and the world.
— Annelise
Extraordinary Teachers Who Care
Annalise deeply appreciates the support she received from many of her teachers at our school. “I had many impactful teachers who were so amazing. … They helped me gain confidence in myself, not just in school but in life.”
When asked what she might say to one of them, Annalise replied, “I would say thank you so much for all your kindness, for your advice, and for your encouragement. It means the world to me. You really, really helped me find my confidence in so many different things I never even knew I was interested in. So, thank you.”