Name: Carol Gann
Program: Web Design
Graduation Date: Month 2001
Current Employer and Job Title: President, Winter Park Artists, Inc.

After a serious car accident that resulted in head trauma, Carol needed vocational rehabilitation. Carol emailed the web design instructor, and asked her specific questions before signing up for the course. "I asked her to look at some of my web design samples. She was very encouraging and invited me to class. That told me this school really cares about the students and their successes. I chose Winter Park Tech because of the Web Design's self-paced instructional program, small classes and safe campus." Winter Park Tech's intimate campus was helpful and a place that was familiar to Carol after the traumatic car wreck.

The Web Design program's hands-on philosophy and state-of-the-art technology helped Carol's learning experience. "Being able to see projects in motion, watching students create was very valuable. I felt challenged at WPT with each new experience. And being cutting edge is critical in this fast-paced technology age." The small class size was very valuable to Carol. "I needed to be able to work at my own rate and pace. I did need a little extra time and it wasn't a problem. The faculty was very encouraging when I become discouraged, and celebrated my success no mater how small." Carol quotes Booker T. Washington: "'Success is not measured by the position that one has reached in life but by the many obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed.' It is important to know how we measure our success."

Carol's success is evident. While at Winter Park Tech, she was inducted into the National Vocational Technical Honor Society. She is Orange County’s 2004 All-American Success Story First Place Winner for Career & Technical Education. Because of the education she received, she was able to find a job right after graduation. Then, after only three years, she was able to work at her own business full-time. Now she is the President of Winter Park Artists, Inc., which brings income to approximately seven artists. "I am now a vendor for the place I was employed and have completed many web projects for them. Every year our business income has increased significantly, allowing for growth," she notes.

Even with all this, Carol is not finished; she considers her greatest success the help she's been able to give back to Winter Park Tech, serving on the Advisory Boards. "I have not forgotten where I came from and it is my hope to offer help to those still struggling for a better future."