While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his high school experience, Patrick learned how to adapt and realized the importance of connecting with his peers when he returned to in-person classes this year. The support of NCPA eased his transition back to in-person learning.
"This school year taught me how to adapt and how quickly things can change. It also taught me how important it is to have connections with different people. NCPA has changed my life over the past few years with its helpful resources and staff."
In addition to helping him prepare for college, financially and academically, NCPA has provided Patrick with a support system that guides him to achieve his goal of attaining a bachelor's degree in nursing. To him, NCPA is more than a support system—it’s a second family.
"What I appreciate the most is that NCPA allows me to have people close to me that are like family. When I was a freshman, I didn’t know many of my cohorts. Over time, we've grown and become a second family. It’s been great. NCPA has also taken away having to stress about how I'm going to pay for school."
While Patrick sometimes doubts himself, he realizes he is fortunate to be a part of NCPA, where he’s encouraged to strive for excellence and never give up.
"I’ve learned from being in NCPA to try to accomplish something even when you doubt yourself. Because you might do great, and it will pay off because you can go for another shot. To students considering applying to NCPA, I would tell them to do it. Being in this program makes high school a lot easier, even if you don't know what you want to do after high school. NCPA is a great opportunity to have on your shoulders."
