When Jenna Parker walked across the stage at Maiden High School’s graduation in 2022, she carried a dream of making a difference in healthcare. What she didn’t realize then was that her journey would become part of history at Gaston College. In May 2026, Parker’s dedication paid off as she became one of the first students ever to […]
Taking online classes through Gaston College as a junior at Stuart Cramer High School while playing two high school sports kept Addison Marr busy, but she was motivated to challenge herself both in the classroom and on the field, with the goal of playing collegiate-level softball. In the fall of 2024, both of Marr’s interests merged when she joined Gaston’s softball team and […]
When Alycia Evans was discharged from her final duty station in Virginia with the United States Navy, she knew two things. She wanted to start a life in North Carolina and further her education. “My girlfriend, now wife, recommended Gaston College, so I enrolled,” she said. “I started at Gaston College two weeks after relocating here in August 2024.” The change of scenery and the transition from the military to the role of a […]
When Jennifer Edens decided to go back to school, finding a balance between her studies and personal life was non-negotiable. Despite facing challenges, she wanted to grow both personally and professionally. “Being close to home made it possible for me to manage everything I had going on, especially being a mom and running my own business,” Edens said. “It felt like the right place to start building […]
Mikhaela Gene Abarientos has been intrigued by movies and how they are made since she was a child. As a native of the Philippines and now a Gaston graduate, she’s on her way to follow her dreams in her home country. “I am passionate about filmmaking and that is the path that I want to take,” Abarientos said. “I want to be a film director somewhere in the […]
When Luke Balbosa graduated from Belmont’s South Point High School in 2023, he sought a college that fit his budget and offered classes that could turn a longtime interest into a career. “I chose my program because I enjoy working with my hands,” Balbosa said, “and I know this program would give me a way […]
When Brooklyn Thompson started at Gaston College, she had big dreams and was excited to be attending school alongside her mother. Thompson has excelled as a student and is now being recognized by the North Carolina Community College System as Gaston College’s Academic Excellence Award winner. The award, given by the NCCCS after a committee reviews nominations, […]
