Highlights from our 2024 VHS Learning scholarship winners!

Each year, we present 2024 graduates––who are former or current VHS Learning students––with an opportunity to win college scholarships. To be considered, students are asked to show their creative genius by responding thoughtfully to a prompt. Student entries, submitted as videos or multimedia presentations, are viewed by the VHS Learning scholarship committee, and this year ten individual winners were awarded a total of $5,000 in college scholarships.

For our 16th year presenting this program, we asked students: “Why did you take your VHS Learning course and what did you learn from the experience?” More than 55 applicants submitted their responses, sharing how their VHS Learning experiences inspired and engaged them throughout high school. From all of these submissions, we selected 10 students to receive scholarships from VHS Learning: two $1,000 scholarships, four $500 scholarships, and four $250 scholarships.

All of the students who were awarded scholarships presented outstanding entries, sharing their impactful and inspiring experiences with VHS Learning. All of our scholarship winners were selected for their thoughtful multimedia submissions, which kept us engaged and had positive messages.

Here are some of the stories that made the 2024 VHS Learning Scholarship Program winners stand out:

Lilly Brunnick: A Future in Education

Lilly Brunnick from Newburyport High School in Massachusetts was one of our first-place winners, earning one of the two $1,000 scholarships. Lilly discovered a passion for teaching during her junior year while studying abroad in the Bahamas and wanted to explore education as a potential career.

When she returned home, Lilly signed up for VHS Learning’s Early Childhood Education course. She chose VHS Learning because of the flexibility of scheduling, which met her preference for a more non-traditional learning approach. She was also excited to dive deeper into her passion of teaching before college, through the course’s mentorship and real-world teaching opportunities.

Throughout the course, Lilly learned how to write lesson plans, create a safe and functioning classroom, and correspond professionally with her coordinating teacher. Her experience highlights how VHS Learning can help students explore and validate their career pathways while still in high school.

“No other class would have allowed me to actually go into a classroom and receive mentorship from experienced, practicing teachers,” she said in her video. “Thanks to VHS Learning, I was able to discover that being an elementary school teacher was indeed what I wanted to do.”

Watch Lilly’s winning video presentation here.

Isaac Kakiko: A Future in Business

Isaac Kakiko from Hatboro-Horsham High School in Pennsylvania is our other first place winner, also earning a $1,000 scholarship. Isaac’s journey with VHS Learning began after he completed all of the available business courses at his school, which he felt didn’t challenge him enough. Knowing he wanted to pursue business, Isaac spoke to his guidance counselor, who introduced him to VHS Learning. Isaac was thrilled to discover VHS Learning offered AP® Economics and immediately enrolled in the course.

Through VHS Learning, Isaac had a transformative experience. He developed crucial skills such as time management, self-discipline, and independent learning. These skills have equipped Isaac to navigate new challenges and stay ahead of the curve in his future business endeavors. Plus, his experience with VHS Learning was an effective tool to prepare him for college and equip him with vital lifelong learning skills.

"In the fast-paced and dynamic environment of business, the ability to manage my time effectively will be crucial for meeting deadlines, juggling multiple tasks, and seizing opportunities as they arise," he noted in his video. “I am equipped to navigate new challenges, acquire new skills, and stay ahead of the curve.”

Watch Isaac’s winning video presentation here.

Kailey McCarthy: A Future in Dance Performance

Kailey McCarthy from Connecticut is one of four winners to earn a $500 scholarship. As a dedicated dancer, Kailey balanced her time between two high schools: Canton High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. She utilized VHS Learning to meet graduation requirements and pursue honors courses that her small high school didn’t offer.

VHS Learning enabled Kailey to earn essential credits for courses she was interested in taking, such as Honors Economics, Poetry Writing, and 101 Ways to Write a Short Story. Kailey valued the flexibility and independence VHS Learning provides, and said, “VHS Learning has taught me many great qualities over the past four years, including time management, self-advocacy, and determination.”

Kailey’s determination paid off, and she’s now set to attend the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at Oklahoma City University, her dream school. Through VHS Learning, she was able to find a balance between her passion and academics, making it possible to achieve her dream.

Watch Kailey’s winning video presentation here.

Miles O’Brien: A Future in Engineering

Miles O’Brien from Colchester High School in Vermont is another of four winners who were awarded a $500 scholarship. Miles has been passionate about engineering for much of his life, so when his school didn't offer AP® Physics C, Miles turned to VHS Learning to fill the gap.

“For me, VHS Learning made it really easy to learn the physics I needed through weekly student-designed labs where I got to see physics principles in the real world,” Miles noted in his video. Even if his labs failed, he could talk it through with his classmates through the class forum, which enhanced his problem-solving abilities and communication skills.

Miles valued VHS Learning’s flexible schedule, which enabled him to balance sports, college applications, and engineering projects. Plus, weekly assignment schedules and virtual office hours were good experience for college, making Miles feel confident in his transition to the University of Michigan next year.

Watch Miles’ winning video presentation here.

More Stories of Success

While we’ve only highlighted a few, each of our scholarship recipients shared a unique and inspiring story. Six other winners earned scholarships in this year’s program:

Hailey Dzurko from Windber Area High School in Pennsylvania won a $500 scholarship. She took Marketing and Entrepreneurship with VHS Learning.

Hailey Kriz from Westborough High School in Massachusetts won a $500 scholarship. She took Spanish 2 and Algebra 2 with VHS Learning.

Kate DiPardo from Providence Country Day School in Rhode Island won a $250 scholarship. She took Creative Writing, AP® United States Government and Politics, and Who Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up? with VHS Learning.

Cosette Meloon, a homeschooled student affiliated with Woodstock Union High School and Middle School in Vermont won a $250 scholarship. She took Chinese 3 with VHS Learning.

Peyton Parent from Apponequet Regional High School in Massachusetts won a $250 scholarship. She took AP® Art History with VHS Learning.

Jacob Smith from Hull High School in Massachusetts won a $250 scholarship. He took Honors Python Programming and Honors Java Programming with VHS Learning.

VHS Learning students exemplify the transformative power of online learning, and this year’s scholarship winners are a testament to the variety of ways online courses can enhance a student’s high school experience. We’re incredibly proud of all of our scholarship winners and excited to see where their futures lead them.

See all of the 2024 VHS Learning Scholarship winners’ video entries here.