Our own graduates put a face on our mission

We love graduation season here at Granite Edvance. Every year it reminds us of why we do this work and who we’re here to support. Some of us are celebrating our own graduates this year, too. Their stories show the value of taking small steps toward our goals, saying yes to opportunities, and being true to ourselves.  

Madalyn “Maddie” O’Brien’s is graduating from Winnacunnet High School this month.  Her mom, Kristy O’Brien, Manager of Compliance Risk, shared these thoughts:  

Madalyn “Maddie” was just starting first grade when I started working at Granite Edvance (then The NHHEAF Network); college planning seemed so far away.  It’s been great to have the institutional knowledge to lead conversations about higher education at home throughout the years and especially helpful to use Granite Edvance’s resources as Maddie’s time in high school comes to an end. Last year Maddie completed the YouScience career assessment and learned about strengths she didn’t even realize she had; she’s even referred to her assessment to help her create her resume. I don’t think she’s going to jump right into a Compliance career (ironically one of her career matches), but I do think the assessment opened her eyes to the many directions she can go and opportunities available to her. Maddie also enjoyed attending Destination College last year. That event was the spark we needed to really get us thinking about what’s coming next.   

Maddie — smart, independent, driven and extremely hardworking — is interested in the healthcare field. She hasn’t quite decided which area is of most interest yet but knows she wants to help people. Being very money-conscious and still a bit uncertain, she plans to attend community college to tackle her core classes while she explores which path most aligns with her interests and strengths. Whichever direction she chooses, anyone who knows her knows she will do great things.  

North Country Pathways and Funding Specialist Carla Peacock’s son, Jasper, graduated from Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) in May 2026, with college credits from NHTI and Vermont State University. 

Earlier in high school, Jasper attended The White Mountain School (until its closure), where he discovered his affinity for experiential learning and love for whitewater kayaking and rock climbing and took a field course in ski resort management that sparked his career plans. He spent his junior year at Lyndon Institute studying Land & Resource Management and Forestry. During his senior year, he worked full-time at Franconia Notch State Park/Cannon Mountain Ski Area as Terrain Parks Crew Leader, a job that prepared him for his intended career in ski resort industry management.  

Jasper also spent many hours in the last year completing requirements for his Boy Scouts of American Eagle Scout rank. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, he established a Winter Wetlands Trail on land under easement with Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (ACT) in Sugar Hill, NH. On the same land, he worked collaboratively with ACT and the landowners to designate the Sunset Hill Golf Course and Club House as a property on the NH Registry of Historic Places and one of 2025’s Seven to Save listees.  

Jasper recently began work as a Ski Operations Intern at Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa/Bretton Woods Ski Area. In the fall, he’ll attend White Mountains Community College (WMCC) for their Associate of Science in Business Administration. He plans to continue working at either Franconia Notch State Park/Cannon Mountain Ski Area or Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa/Bretton Woods Ski area while studying at WMCC. His long-term goal is to complete his bachelor’s and then master’s in business administration. 

With the help of his parents, Jasper recently rescued a black lab/mastiff/great Dane puppy, Rosie. He hopes to bring her everywhere with him in the coming years. 

Katie Earle, daughter of Communications Director Sarah Earle, graduated from Mount Holyoke College in May with her degree in environmental studies. Sarah shared:  

Graduation season tends bring thoughts of The Future with a capital F, but as Katie loads up her aging Camry and heads home from college for the last time, I’m not thinking much beyond summer. I’m not in denial (okay, maybe a little), I just know that Katie does things in her own way and her own time.  

A runner in high school, Katie didn’t think she was fast enough to be a college athlete. But during her freshman year, the Mount Holyoke cross country and track coach kept spotting her out running in the early morning by herself. Finally, she tracked Katie down and recruited her for the team. Katie got faster, made amazing friends, built confidence, and developed grit (not to mention quite a running shoe habit).  

Earning a college degree, especially a liberal arts degree, is a lot like becoming a serious athlete. You’re not just aiming for a specific goal, you’re building skills and traits that will serve you well for life. Not only can Katie outrun me these days, she can keep pace in conversations about the big issues our world is facing. Being on her own, she’s even learned practical lessons like, “what are lug nuts?” and “why should I make sure mine haven’t fallen out?” 

College has turned Katie into the best version of her true self, and isn’t that the best we can hope for?  

Rick Barnes, Database and Web Administrator, celebrated two graduations in May. His daughter, Erin, graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.  She wants to work as a counselor for adults seeking rehabilitation. Rick’s son, Noah, graduated from Fitchburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication. He hopes one day to direct films. 

Joanna Schofield, Project Manager, was proud to watch her granddaughter, Mia Hutchison, graduate from New England College in May with her degree in criminal justice.