I was reading in the paper last week that Victoria College is expanding again. What wonderful news is that! As a parent the one thing I want to give my kids is opportunities to better themselves. To expand their horizons and learn new things.
What started out as a nursing school here in town is now one of the best things our city has ever done for this community. We have brought a way for our kids to transition from Gonzales High School to the real world of having to study and meet expectations that include homework nightly, reading a chapter without it happening in the classroom, and constructing sentences with proper grammar regardless of which class they are in (I'm sure some of the teachers over there would love to redline my blog on occasions).
And if you're not aware of it there is a partnership between Gonzales High School and Victoria College where our children can take dual credit classes getting high school credits while they attend college classes. The students then get the credit hours for the class and a college transcript. This cost the students and parents $0 (that's right zero) for books and tuition and that included built in tutoring. When a student leaves GHS they could well be a sophomore in college saving themselves a year of school, and the money that goes along with it.
VC is expanding many of their trade classes. These classes are not just for those who are 18 years old. Adults looking to better themselves or make a career change can attend and watch their potential grow.
So for those who question my one sided negative view of Gonzales I want them to know I see it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. Victoria College definitely falls into the 'good' category in this town!
God Bless
Dennis Nesser
I also think that the work Victoria College is doing here in our community is wonderful. Not everyone is cut out to go to a 4-year college and the addition of the trade’s school is long overdue. I was sad to see our high school cut out so many of the trade classes. What would we do without the people to take care of our daily needs like AC repair, plumbing, electrical and even engine repair, yet alone the building trades? Do you remember when the building trades at high school built houses and then sold them? This taught the students a life long skill, not only how to use their hands but math and social skills. All we seem to think about in our high school is sports, and in reality how many kids go on to college and play sports? Not many, in fact the building trades will get them farther in life. We as a community need to continue to support Victoria College and it’s ties with our high school dual credit program. Thank you Victoria College!
ReplyDeleteI agree that many kids will never go on to college. I'm dealing with one right now. I've always said if you could weld, fix cars, or drive a truck you'll always have a job. But I think a/c and heating repair along with construction are pretty steady (though construction definitely has it's ups and downs). But the fact is if we can give our children a trade then we've taught them to fish, not just fed them.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a better apprentice program in the states. It would also take some of the pressure off of the high schools to get kids who are not inclined to continue their studies to focus on those who are with the core classes, while still educating the others with a trade. Sounds like a win win situation to me.
Until then let's be thankful for the folks who brought Victoria College here, and people like Mrs Mikesh that do such a great job over there. Keep up the great work.
God Bless
Dennis