Business Technologies student Nicholle Bixby is the latest Northlands student to ring the Bell of Success – a special privilege reserved for those who move on to advanced training. Nicholle, who hails from Troy, Vermont, will be headed to the Shriver Job Corps Center in Massachusetts for the TCU/IAM Advanced Training Program, which focuses on the transportation industry. She plans to work for Amtrak once she completes the rigorous program.

“I’m looking forward to advancing my learning and seeing other places,” Nicholle said after filling the campus with some good, loud bell clanging. “It’s also going to open me up to more job opportunities.”

Nicholle had plenty of good things to say about her Business Technologies instructor, Char Wessing. “Ms. Char is such a great person,” she said. “She always goes above and beyond to try and help her students the best she can. You can tell she really cares about all of us.”

As the bell fell silent, Nicholle exited the student center to find her fellow Business Technologies classmates surrounding the stairs, giving her applause and cheers. Ms. Wessing passed a phone to Nicholle – it was Nicholle’s mother who had listened in to the ceremony. “She told me she’s very proud of me,” she said.

As she heads off to start the next phase in her education and training, Nicholle offers some parting advice. “Believe in yourself,” she said. “You’ve got to believe in yourself.”