Anne

“The first thing I will say about Honors 100 is this: TAKE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Seriously… the sooner you take it, the more prepared you will be when you transfer from Highline, or head out into the real world.”

Anne on the Honors Program

After graduating high school in 1993, college life was just not what I was in the mood for. After a complete vascular ultrasound on my legs to prepare for a varicose vein stripping surgery, and 11 years at Safeway, a giant light bulb exploded in my brain. At that moment I knew what I was going to do with my life. Less than five months later I had met with an advisor from Seattle University’s Ultrasound department and was enrolled at Highline to begin my Associate’s Degree.

There was no specific reason I chose Highline, since I live fairly close to a few Community Colleges. I suppose I felt heading south every morning would be easier in terms of traffic… or perhaps it was “divine intervention.” I will never know… I decided to make an appointment with Dr. Barbara Clinton, the director of the Honors program, even though I didn’t actually take Honors 100 for another year. I had plenty of time, I thought, considering I was a part time student.

The first thing I will say about Honors 100 is this: TAKE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! While I came to HCC with a purpose, and was motivated to make sure I succeeded, I still was inexperienced with the academic world, especially how to make myself shine “on paper.” This class showed me how to make my rather generic story, of girl graduates from high school and returns to school 10 + years later, stand out from the rest and forced me to look inside myself-I mean really look-to find what I had to separate me from other students. I gained entrance to Seattle University’s Ultrasound program-a program that only took 14 transfer students, and earned an SU transfer scholarship.

I graduated from Seattle University in September 2008 with my Bachelors of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound and took a job in Vancouver, WA at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, abdomen, pelvic/GYN, OB and vascular ultrasounds. I mainly deal with ER and inpatients, such as ICU or Labor and Delivery. I currently am RDMS certified in both Abdomen and OB/GYN ultrasound, and will soon be taking my vascular exam to become RVT certified. I live about 15 minutes from Portland, love my job, and finally feel financially sound. I even started taking violin lessons again after almost 25 years! I’m very thankful I chose HCC vs. another school for my AA. I really believe that the HCC Honors Program and being involved in campus life/student activities is what got me into the competitive SU program and on to a new life.