For the Tomahawk Leader
RHINELANDER – Citing his commitment to hard work and strong desire to complete his high school diploma, Nicolet College’s Academic Success program recently announced that Tomahawk resident Robert Shore has been awarded its Student of the Year honor.
“From the moment that I met Bob, I could tell that he was serious about completing his high school diploma,” said Academic Success Instructor Jane Gass, who worked extensively with Shore to complete his diploma. “Bob never missed a class and he worked hard the whole time he was here. He took work home with him so that he could get ahead and finish his diploma as soon as possible so that he could be a good role model for his kids and grandchildren. It was nothing short of inspiring to work with him.”
This past March, Shore completed all the work necessary to earn his GED, some 45 years after he left high school in 1971.
Shore, who has worked as a skilled and highly regarded mechanic most of his adult life, said he could “hardly believe it” when he learned he had been named a Student of the Year.
“It came completely out of the blue, and I was ecstatic when I heard the news,” he added.
Shore also had high praise for Gass.
“Jane was an absolute godsend for me,” Shore stated. “She stood by me from day one and was always there whenever I was stuck on something or had questions. I can’t say enough about her teaching skills and her commitment to helping students.”
Shore is now eyeing college classes at Nicolet and is looking to enroll at some point in the near future.
“I am so proud of Bob for having the courage to come in for that first meeting and then sticking to his plan of earning his high school diploma,” Gass said.
The Academic Success program at Nicolet offers free instruction for individuals preparing to attend college, build academic skills for the workplace, earn a GED or HSED, learn basic computer skills or learn to speak English.
For more information, visit www.nioletcollege.edu or call 715-365-4455.