Extra credit

Last week's Class of 2023 Graduation Supplement made it a point to print area graduates' snippets of advice to their fellow students, among them present and future grads and others aiming to follow their lead.

Midkota's Lauryn Halvorson's words were apropos to her educational situation.

"Take all the college courses you can. . . It's worth it in the end."

Lauryn, the daughter of Louis and Kristi Halvorson of Binford, got a momentous head start on her higher educational pursuits by earning her Associate's degree from Dakota College at Bottineau through the LEAP (Leading to Education and Advanced Preparation) Beyond program.

And all this came before she ever took the stage to recognize the completion of 13 years of primary school education.

"It is such a relief to have a two-year degree right now," Halvorson said. "I feel like it's going to make my first year at college easier knowing how college is going to be like, and how it works."

Halvorson is one of four students statewide to earn either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree through LEAP Beyond. The others are Madison Kirschemann of New England High School, Aubrey Griedl of Our Redeemer's High School, and Kadynce Allard of Bottineau High School.

She says that she was originally enrolled in the standard LEAP program, but realized she could accelerate her educational path around a year ago.

"I was taking classes fall, spring and summer, and toward the end of my junior year, I realized I only needed one more to finish LEAP, and 10 more to finish LEAP Beyond," Halvorson recalled.

Saying that she "jumped on that opportunity," she added, "I knew it was going to be stressful, but it was going to be such an accomplishment when I was done."

LEAP Beyond was first offered to high school students in the fall of 2020, in addition to the regular LEAP curriculum. Participants in the program have the opportunity to receive 60 general education credits while still enrolled in high school, by taking dual-credit courses either online or through IVN (interactive video network).

According to a DCB press release from that year, the program offers a discounted credit rate of $142.76 per credit as opposed to their regular $210.25, creating a savings of $67.49 per credit hour.

Along with playing volleyball and basketball, and being involved with Student Council, FBLA and Close Up at MHS (not to mention serving as an elementary volleyball coach), Halvorson entered the workforce at Bessette Motors this past year, even while taking LEAP courses.

"Bessette has been so good to me," she said. "I had no intentions of working that summer when I started there. The opportunity presented itself, and I was a little hesitant at first, but I wouldn't change it for the world."

She worked in the sales department at the dealership, which she said was a beneficial experience towards her goal of getting her double major of business administration and management at Bismarck State College.

"It'll help me get a job in the future, but I don't think it will be in car sales, as much as James [Linderman, sales manager] and Larry [Danduran, general manager] would like me to be," she said with a laugh.

Halvorson is the fourth Midkota graduate to complete the LEAP Beyond program, following siblings, Lauren, Mariah and Logan Topp, in that distinction.

To help keep students from feeling the pressure she experienced, she suggests starting with just one class as a sophomore, then building up the course load gradually.

"It's a huge transition to go from high school to everything being online," she said. "Always know how much you can take, because taking too many classes at a time can be exhausting."

"You'll never regret choosing LEAP Beyond," she concluded. "I just wish I would have started earlier so I didn't have to take so many classes at a time."

Three other Midkota students participated in the standard LEAP program in 2022-23, those being Kaylee Johnson, Wyatt Spickler and Abigail Dreher. All received a Certificate of College Studies.

Kaylee is the daughter of Nathan Johnson and Nikki Lindsey, Wyatt the son of Justin and Sara Spickler, and Abigail the daughter of Joshua and Lindsay Dreher.