Ashton White: Custer County Resident

Posted September 19, 2014

See the following message from Ashton about herself and how Denver Online HS fits into her life.

I have lived in rural Colorado for the past 13 years. Living in a rural community has had both its advantages and disadvantages. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to be in numerous extracurricular activities offered at my primary school, Custer County High School. However, there have been many disadvantages to a small setting: the limitations. I have always wanted to be at the top academically. My school offered core classes, but didn’t offer the more interest specific courses. Last summer I had to truly decide what I wanted from my education; did I want to be valedictorian, or did I want to just get by? Of course I chose to “go for gold.” I started browsing possibilities online and taking summer classes. I came across Denver Online in a Google search. My mom and I called about the opportunity. I enrolled in summer classes immediately and began fulfilling my goal of being number one. I was able to take AP Psychology with Ms. Kammerling. The course changed my perspective in many ways about the career I was planning to pursue. I didn’t realize all that our biological make up dictated in our minds and behaviors. The class was truly an eye opener for me. I would recommend to anyone who needs another class to take this course. Aside from psychology, I decided to take AP Literature and Composition. I was a bit skeptical about my performance in the class at first because I had never been one for reading. As the course really got going, I fell in love with it all. I got to the point where I didn’t dread reading a book; I actually enjoyed it. I was quite pleased with the course’s rigor and my experience overall. As my senior year wrapped up, I became more and more anxious to see if my work had paid off and if I would be valedictorian. After my school dragged out the answer, I was finally number one. Denver Online helped me not only raise my GPA, but also reach my goals! I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of taking online classes, and I believe it helped me to become a well-rounded learner. I feel that by participating in Denver Online School, I am more prepared in continuing my journey in education as I attend the University of Florida this fall.