Stacy Dragila encourages dual enrollment classes

The Pocatello/Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce partnered with Idaho State University and Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 to help students pay for dual enrollment classes.

“They’re basically an AP (advanced placement) class for technician-based programs,” said Chase Prouse, an ISU student who took dual enrollment credits in high school. He took 16 credits of dual enrollment courses and cut an entire university semester off his degree, saving thousands of dollars.

“I have three more semesters, and then I’m completely done with my program,” Prouse said. “I’ll be 20.”

For the 2013-2014 school year, over $6,000 was raised, paying for 111 dual enrollment credits.

At $65 per credit, it’s much cheaper than the $300 or more dollars per credit paid as a university student. But that’s still a chunk of change for families.
That’s why the organizations partnered together for a fundraiser to assist families in paying for their students to advance their college education while in high school. With the funds, juniors can see up to $200 paid for their credits and seniors could see double that.

That’s why a little inspiration to persevere was in order, so the chamber asked Olympic gold medalist and ISU alumnus Stacy Dragila to tell her story of the journey to become the first woman in the world to win the gold medal in Olympic pole vaulting.

Dragila talked about all the thoughts going through her head as she competed, and said she relied on the support of her coach, friends and family.

“That was nice to have that support,” she said. “I had friends that didn’t have that, and you can see the difference it makes in people’s lives, so that support system is huge, at any level.”

Dragila said she thinks dual enrollment is a great idea for students who want to pursue that, but she also said to make sure to go after the things you really want. She said she wants her daughters, 2 and 4 years old, to do what they love.

“Sports-wise or academics-wise, I just hope they pursue something that they love, and I’m not going to push them in any which way,” Dragila said. “I just hope to expose them to a lot of different things and they’ll find their path.”

And as for the classes themselves, Prouse said he enjoyed the hands-on experiences he got.

“For me they weren’t that much harder, because if you’re technically inclined, it comes naturally,” Prouse said. “But if they are harder, I’d still stick with them. Those 16 credits jumped my college career exponentially.”

Prouse and other students who enrolled said it is well worth it if you just plan ahead and go for the gold – just like Dragila did.