Student Spotlight: Cory 

Meet Cory – a Creative, Curious, and Coding Student at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado 

At Destinations Career Academy of Colorado, we love to celebrate the bright, driven students who make our school community special and this month, we’re thrilled to shine our Student Spotlight on Cory, an exceptional 11th grader! 

Cory has been a part of the Destinations family since 8th grade. He first discovered the K12-powered online school while looking for a quality online education in Colorado during the height of the pandemic, and he’s been thriving in the school’s flexible, career-focused learning environment ever since. 

Currently involved in both HOSA – Future Health Professionals and the Peer Leadership Program, Cory is all about supporting his peers and exploring new paths. While HOSA gave him insight into the health sciences pathway, Cory recently discovered his true passion lies in computer science, a field that just “clicks” for him. He loves the problem-solving aspect and the exciting opportunities in tech, including cybersecurity, which he’s actively exploring. 

Through the Peer Leadership Program led by math teacher, Jennifer Scott, Cory plays a key role in producing the school’s news video series. From planning to editing, he’s deeply involved in keeping students informed about important events. It’s in video editing where Cory truly shines, his digital creativity and eye for detail are second to none. On top of that, he’s always happy to lend a hand with peer tutoring and supporting classmates during classes. 

One of Cory’s favorite classes this year is Spanish with Professor Colestock, where he enjoys the challenge of learning a new language. Soon, he’ll be tackling College Algebra and English 102 through concurrent enrollment, and has previously completed a C++ programming course, further solidifying his future goals in tech. , further solidifying his future goals in tech. 

Outside of school, Cory loves to play video games, especially ones that allow him to explore programming and technology (like Minecraft!). He’s even teaching himself to code while playing. Now that’s multitasking at its best! When he’s not online, he enjoys spending time near the mountains and hanging out with his five indoor cats: two gray, one black, and two orange. 

Recently, Cory toured the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus and is considering it as his top college choice, with CSU Fort Collins and CU Boulder as other contenders. He’s staying focused on college and is looking into internship opportunities this summer to gain real-world experience. 

When asked about what sets Destinations Career Academy of Colorado apart, Cory highlighted the Career and College Prep program, which gives him and other students the freedom to explore different fields while still in high school. He also loves how flexible the online format is, allowing him to finish schoolwork efficiently and pursue hobbies and personal interests each day. 

“Our teachers are engaging, and the class connects are really interactive.” Cory said. “One big misconception is that there’s no social interaction. Destinations Career Academy of Colorado offers tons of ways to connect, both online and through in-person events across the state!” 

Cory’s passion, leadership, and curiosity are a huge asset to our Destinations Career Academy of Colorado community. Whether he’s editing videos, exploring programming, or mentoring fellow students, Cory is always striving to make a difference.  

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