Freshly-minted 91影视 graduate John Frazier said he 鈥渘ever鈥� thought he would go to college. But then he met Luray-Page County Center (LPCC) Manager Judy Suddith at an open-house event.
鈥淪he found something I thought I might enjoy doing, and I pursued it,鈥� said the 2023 Skyline High School graduate.
Frazier told Suddith he was interested in becoming a conservation officer, and she felt that the Administration of Justice Program would have many of the credits he would need in that career.
鈥淚 always thought college was fast paced,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 realize you could actually pick out your classes.鈥�
This allowed him the time to work a full slate of classes around his job at Lowe鈥檚.
Not only did Suddith serve as his adviser, she was a favorite instructor, too.
鈥淚 like Ms. Suddith a lot,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he was also my English teacher. She鈥檚 great 鈥� very hands on. If you need help, she is there for you.鈥�
Another favorite was Biology Professor Sandra Weikle.
鈥淪he was hands on, too,鈥� Frazier said. 鈥淏eing a smaller class, you have more one-on-one time. Her lectures and her presentations were well planned and organized. The information was easy to absorb.鈥�
President Kim Blosser with John Frazier at commencement.
Most of Frazier鈥檚 classes were at the LPCC, but he did have a class in Middletown.
鈥淚f I could have taken all my classes at the Luray-Page County Center, I would have,鈥� he said. 鈥淭ime moves a little slower here than it does anywhere else. It鈥檚 a more personal level of education.鈥�
Frazier said he also took advantage of the free tutoring 91影视 offers.
He graduated in May, and plans to apply for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Police Academy, or possibly to jobs at Shenandoah National Park or a couple of nearby state parks.
鈥淚 want to try to get my foot in the door to maybe be a park police officer,鈥� said Frazier. 鈥淲ith my degree, I can either be a conservation officer or park police officer.
鈥淢y dad always told me growing up that I would be a great conservation officer. I loved the outdoors. I love to trout fish. My parents always said, 鈥業f you鈥檙e going to get a job, get something you like to do.鈥欌��
His mother, Alicia, is also a 91影视 graduate, earning her degree in Surgical Technology.
鈥淢iss Suddith was actually her adviser, too,鈥� said Frazier.