{"id":97257,"date":"2025-01-06T09:00:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T14:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=97257"},"modified":"2025-01-15T13:33:54","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T18:33:54","slug":"meet-some-of-the-new-students-part-of-elevate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/2025\/01\/06\/meet-some-of-the-new-students-part-of-elevate\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the New Students Part of Elevate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students part of the inaugural cohort of <a href=\"http:\/\/elevate.ced.ncsu.edu\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"elevate.ced.ncsu.edu\">Elevate<\/a>, NC State&#8217;s new inclusive postsecondary program, began their first classes on Jan. 6, 2025. Meet all seven of them below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#michaelbailey\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#michaelbailey\">Michael Bailey of Apex<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#jamescunas\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#jamescunas\">James Cunas of Clayton<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#sarahgatewood\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#sarahgatewood\">Sarah Gatewood of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#dreyahnagrunow\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#dreyahnagrunow\">Dreyahna Grunow of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#dimaslopezdejesus\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#dimaslopezdejesus\">Dimas Lopez de Jesus&nbsp;of Apex<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#mollyminnick\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#mollyminnick\">Molly Minnick of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#alyssarea\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#alyssarea\">Alyssa Rea of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"michaelbailey\">Michael Bailey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal.jpg\" data-fullsize=\"1500x844\" data-zoom=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Michael Bailey\" class=\"wp-image-97310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>My hometown:<\/strong> Apex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My high school:<\/strong> Apex High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why I chose NC State and Elevate: <\/strong>I love the Wolfpack!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to: <\/strong>Making friends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about: <\/strong>Sports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school: <\/strong>Basketball, bowling, theater, movies, working at Apex Outfitters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong>&nbsp; I&#8217;m friendly and funny and like to meet new people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jamescunas\"><strong>James Cunas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal.jpg\" data-fullsize=\"1500x844\" data-zoom=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>Kearny, New Jersey<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Corinth Holders High School in Wendell<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> I feel it has the best programs for me&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> Learning and making friends&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about: <\/strong>Life skills and religion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> Watching football and playing the piano&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong> I am fraternal twin and a fan of the Dallas Cowboys&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sarahgatewood\">Sarah Gatewood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal.jpg\" data-fullsize=\"1500x844\" data-zoom=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>My hometown:<\/strong> My hometown was Banner Elk, but I now live in Raleigh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My high school:<\/strong> Avery County High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> I want to do more activities and still live at home.&nbsp; I have friends at State. And I love Talley!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to: <\/strong>Fly out of the nest and grow up. Meet new people.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> Art and theater<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> Young Life and Young Lives, church, painting,&nbsp; games.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong> I am a cheerful person. I make others laugh.&nbsp; My smile is hard to resist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dreyahnagrunow\"><strong>Dreyahna Grunow<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal.jpg\" data-fullsize=\"1500x844\" data-zoom=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>Raleigh&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Wakefield High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> It is my dream to be a manager someday for my job and that is the reason I want to be in Elevate to learn. The reason I want to go to NC State is because my manager, Lindsay, went to that college in the past and I want that too. It is a very good campus. and I love it so much.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> Learning about the classes that NC State and Elevate have for us. I am looking forward to college spirit to wear red NC State clothes on Friday like everyone else does.&nbsp; I am looking forward to college sports by tailgating and having fun with my friends and family and going to games to watch them play soccer, football and basketball.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> I would like to study management, like hiring, training and customer service. I would like to learn communications, like working with customers and getting their feedback and working with co-workers when they are talking to customers to stay on task and in a kind way so that he or she would not be offended.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school: <\/strong>I played basketball when I was in middle school. Now I play for Spirit League with kids who have disabilities like me or autism. I have fun with all my friends. I love to dance because it is a lot of fun and I like it. This dance club that I am in is called Confidance. It is a workout plus music, and it is so much fun to do. And I work for 321 Coffee, and my favorite thing to do at work is making lattes and talking to the customers. I love to smile and talk to them about their day and what they are doing on the weekend because it makes them happy. 321 Coffee is my family, and I love it so much.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me: <\/strong>I have a dog named Anna, and she likes to lick and bark and jump. If you come to my house, she will jump on you and lick you a lot. That means she loves you so much. I have a&nbsp; sister whose name is Noa who goes to UNC for college. I know that NC State and UNC are rivals, but I want to cheer for both schools.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dimaslopezdejesus\"><strong>Dimas Lopez de Jesus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal.jpg\" data-fullsize=\"1500x844\" data-zoom=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>My hometown<\/strong>: Apex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Panther Creek<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NCState:<\/strong> I like education, computer science, and Spanish. I like the classes that are offered through Elevate and NC State.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> Living in the dorm in August.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> I want to learn more about computers and Spanish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school: <\/strong>Ice hockey, exercise, yoga, dance, baseball, basketball and line dancing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong>&nbsp; I&#8217;m a Puerto Rican, Hispanic, Latino and American.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mollyminnick\"><strong>Molly Minnick<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal.jpg\" data-fullsize=\"1500x844\" data-zoom=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>Raleigh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Sanderson High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State<\/strong>: Because it is close to home, and I want to be one of the first students in the Elevate program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to: <\/strong>Meeting new people, making friends, living independently, learning about working with young children.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn: <\/strong>Working with young children in daycare or preschool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> Karate, Miracle League baseball, working at Esteamed Coffee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong> I have a black belt in karate. I am a lot of fun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"alyssarea\"><strong>Alyssa Rea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal.jpg\" data-fullsize=\"1500x844\" data-zoom=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>I was born in Sydney, Australia, and currently live in Raleigh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Broughton High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> I chose Elevate because I love NC State.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> I want to meet Tuffy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> I want to study animals and help create my dog walking business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> I ride horses, drive my car and walk dogs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me: <\/strong>I have a pug named Murphy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false,"raw":"<!-- wp:ncst\/dynamic-header {\"block\":\"ncst\/default-post-header\"} -->\n<!-- wp:ncst\/default-post-header {\"displayCategoryID\":185} \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students part of the inaugural cohort of <a href=\"http:\/\/elevate.ced.ncsu.edu\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"elevate.ced.ncsu.edu\">Elevate<\/a>, NC State's new inclusive postsecondary program, began their first classes on Jan. 6, 2025. Meet all seven of them below:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#michaelbailey\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#michaelbailey\">Michael Bailey of Apex<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#jamescunas\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#jamescunas\">James Cunas of Clayton<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#sarahgatewood\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#sarahgatewood\">Sarah Gatewood of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#dreyahnagrunow\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#dreyahnagrunow\">Dreyahna Grunow of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#dimaslopezdejesus\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#dimaslopezdejesus\">Dimas Lopez de Jesus&nbsp;of Apex<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#mollyminnick\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#mollyminnick\">Molly Minnick of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#alyssarea\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#alyssarea\">Alyssa Rea of Raleigh<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"michaelbailey\">Michael Bailey<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":97310,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/07-Michael-Bailey-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Michael Bailey\" class=\"wp-image-97310\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My hometown:<\/strong> Apex<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My high school:<\/strong> Apex High School<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Why I chose NC State and Elevate: <\/strong>I love the Wolfpack!<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to: <\/strong>Making friends.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about: <\/strong>Sports<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school: <\/strong>Basketball, bowling, theater, movies, working at Apex Outfitters<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong>&nbsp; I'm friendly and funny and like to meet new people.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"jamescunas\"><strong>James Cunas<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":97285,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/01-James-Cunas-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97285\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>Kearny, New Jersey<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Corinth Holders High School in Wendell<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> I feel it has the best programs for me&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> Learning and making friends&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about: <\/strong>Life skills and religion<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> Watching football and playing the piano&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong> I am fraternal twin and a fan of the Dallas Cowboys&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"sarahgatewood\">Sarah Gatewood<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":97286,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/02-Sarah-Gatewood-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97286\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My hometown:<\/strong> My hometown was Banner Elk, but I now live in Raleigh.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My high school:<\/strong> Avery County High School<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> I want to do more activities and still live at home.&nbsp; I have friends at State. And I love Talley!<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to: <\/strong>Fly out of the nest and grow up. Meet new people.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> Art and theater<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> Young Life and Young Lives, church, painting,&nbsp; games.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong> I am a cheerful person. I make others laugh.&nbsp; My smile is hard to resist.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"dreyahnagrunow\"><strong>Dreyahna Grunow<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":97287,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/03-Dreyahna-Grunow-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97287\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>Raleigh&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Wakefield High School<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> It is my dream to be a manager someday for my job and that is the reason I want to be in Elevate to learn. The reason I want to go to NC State is because my manager, Lindsay, went to that college in the past and I want that too. It is a very good campus. and I love it so much.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> Learning about the classes that NC State and Elevate have for us. I am looking forward to college spirit to wear red NC State clothes on Friday like everyone else does.&nbsp; I am looking forward to college sports by tailgating and having fun with my friends and family and going to games to watch them play soccer, football and basketball.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> I would like to study management, like hiring, training and customer service. I would like to learn communications, like working with customers and getting their feedback and working with co-workers when they are talking to customers to stay on task and in a kind way so that he or she would not be offended.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school: <\/strong>I played basketball when I was in middle school. Now I play for Spirit League with kids who have disabilities like me or autism. I have fun with all my friends. I love to dance because it is a lot of fun and I like it. This dance club that I am in is called Confidance. It is a workout plus music, and it is so much fun to do. And I work for 321 Coffee, and my favorite thing to do at work is making lattes and talking to the customers. I love to smile and talk to them about their day and what they are doing on the weekend because it makes them happy. 321 Coffee is my family, and I love it so much.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me: <\/strong>I have a dog named Anna, and she likes to lick and bark and jump. If you come to my house, she will jump on you and lick you a lot. That means she loves you so much. I have a&nbsp; sister whose name is Noa who goes to UNC for college. I know that NC State and UNC are rivals, but I want to cheer for both schools.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"dimaslopezdejesus\"><strong>Dimas Lopez de Jesus<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":97288,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/04-Dimas-Lopez-de-Jesus-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97288\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My hometown<\/strong>: Apex<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Panther Creek<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NCState:<\/strong> I like education, computer science, and Spanish. I like the classes that are offered through Elevate and NC State.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> Living in the dorm in August.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> I want to learn more about computers and Spanish.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school: <\/strong>Ice hockey, exercise, yoga, dance, baseball, basketball and line dancing.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong>&nbsp; I'm a Puerto Rican, Hispanic, Latino and American.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"mollyminnick\"><strong>Molly Minnick<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":97289,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/05-Molly-Minnick-NO-PHOTO-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97289\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>Raleigh<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Sanderson High School<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State<\/strong>: Because it is close to home, and I want to be one of the first students in the Elevate program.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to: <\/strong>Meeting new people, making friends, living independently, learning about working with young children.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn: <\/strong>Working with young children in daycare or preschool.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> Karate, Miracle League baseball, working at Esteamed Coffee<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me:<\/strong> I have a black belt in karate. I am a lot of fun.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"alyssarea\"><strong>Alyssa Rea<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":97290,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/06-Alyssa-Rea-Horizontal-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97290\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My hometown: <\/strong>I was born in Sydney, Australia, and currently live in Raleigh<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My high school: <\/strong>Broughton High School<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Why I chose Elevate and NC State:<\/strong> I chose Elevate because I love NC State.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I\u2019m looking forward to:<\/strong> I want to meet Tuffy.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I hope to study and learn more about:<\/strong> I want to study animals and help create my dog walking business.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>My activities outside of school:<\/strong> I ride horses, drive my car and walk dogs.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>What I want others to know about me: <\/strong>I have a pug named Murphy.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Students part of the inaugural cohort of Elevate, NC State&#8217;s new inclusive postsecondary program, began their first classes on Jan. 6, 2025. Meet all seven of them below: Michael Bailey&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":97335,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"displayCategoryID\":185,\"showAuthor\":true,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":false}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[417,185],"tags":[2275,2276,401,217,187],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[],"class_list":["post-97257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics-and-programs","category-news","tag-elevate","tag-inclusive-post-secondary-education-program","tag-new-students","tag-news","tag-tels"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":185,"name":"News","slug":"news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":185,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":2276,"filter":"raw"},"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97257"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97334,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97257\/revisions\/97334"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97335"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97257"},{"taxonomy":"_ncst_magazine_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ced.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_ncst_magazine_issue?post=97257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}