Adam Herrington wanted to be a policeman when he grew up. And that drive to help others as his life’s work never left him. But somewhere special along the way, he found the profession that was really right for him to do so. And now he’s on his way to becoming a doctor.
In school Herrington was part brain, part jock. Intelligence and physical fitness both played a role in his sense of self. In sports he participated in cross-country, track and basketball in both middle school and high school. And he was in 4H until his senior year. “I’ve always enjoyed being outside and the outdoors,” he said, explaining the prevalence of outdoor activities. And he graduated from EGHS with a 3.7 GPA.
But even with so much achievement, the thing that Herrington really credits with putting him on the right track for his future was attending the North Central Community College Career Academy (now called the North Central Regional Center). Because the academy is right here in Eagle Grove, Herrington was able to attend in person in his junior year, though he had to attend online during his senior year due to the COVID pandemic.
And not only did the Academy get him going on his way into the medical profession, it also helped him be better prepared for college.
When he got to college, Herrington revealed, he felt overwhelmed and unprepared. “It’s like you’re starting school all over again. You meet people from other schools. It was my first interaction with a college professor.”
But it could have been worse, he explained, if he hadn’t been to the Academy. “You’re still around your high school friends,” at the Academy, he said, “but it finally gives you that first taste of University.” And that makes it less intimidating when you do go to university, he acknowledged. “It’s a safe space to get a taste of the college experience.”
Herrington earned 48 college credits while still in high school. Then he went straight to Iowa State, without needing to go to Iowa Central in Fort Dodge. “I might be further behind if I hadn’t come to the Career Academy,” he recognized.
Attendance at the North Central Regional Center (formerly the Career Academy) is free for all Eagle Grove High School students. But that’s not the only big advantage EGHS students have: because there’s being prepared for college, getting accepted into college, and then there’s paying for it – and for that there’s the Elizabeth Hill Scholarship.
Open exclusively to EGHS graduates who’ve maintained better than a C average in High School and who plan to take at least 12 credits per semester in college, the Elizabeth Hill Scholarship is open to traditional and non-traditional students as well. So recipients can be an adult looking to further their education, or a recent high school graduate; as long as they’re EGHS graduates. And they can keep getting it for up to four years (as long as they are undergrads) whether they’re going for a four year degree, a two year degree, or even just a Certificate. They just need to show they’re enrolled in college, with enough credits, and getting passing grades.
“It’s a really easy application,” Herrington pointed out. “There’s no essay, nothing you’d have to write. And it offers you that extra financial cushion.”
And when it comes to proving he’s still taking enough credits, and getting good enough grades, Herrington says, “It’s really easy. Basically what I do every semester is I take a screenshot of my grades from the last semester, and another screenshot of my schedule for the next semester.”
But Herrington almost didn’t even apply for the scholarship. But he happened to go along with his sister when she went to apply for the scholarship, and Colleen Bartlett, an administrative Specialist at the Center, handed him an application too.
Bartlett knew from experience that many eligible people don’t apply when they should. “They think there’s some catch,” she explained, “but there isn’t one. Usually nothing in life is free – this is an exception.” And she was determined to see both Herrington kids get an application.
Bartlett is a big believer in the scholarship for another reason: she has personal experience in it. “I used it,” Bartlett revealed. “When I decided (at 50) that I was getting any younger and went back to school.” And both as a former recipient, and a Specialist at the Center, she knows for sure that, “it’s better than a student loan.”
“Everybody gets something,” Bartlett explained. “Every EGHS graduate who applied gets something. Traditional or not,” Bartlett pointed out, adding, “I used it. When I went back (at 50) and decided I wasn’t getting any younger.”
Herrington agreed, “I’m extremely grateful for the help I’ve received.”
If not for it, Herrington candidly admitted, he wouldn’t be where he is right now. Which is majoring in kinesiology on the human medicine track, in preparation for medical school. After starting as a physical therapy student, Herrington now works in the Emergency Room in Fort Dodge, where he started in May of 2023. “I really enjoy it, but I would be guessing to say I want to stay in ER practice because there’s so much I haven’t seen yet. There are a lot of options.” Which is why he’s going on to med school to pursue his MD (Medical Doctorate) after he graduates from Iowa State in Sept. 2025.
“The awesome thing that I get to see there, that makes me feel like I’ve chosen the right profession, is staff meeting people when they aren’t at their best, they’re sick,” Herrington said. “And then they have a great interaction with the doctor, who has a great bedside manner, and they get the help they need.”
And he urges local students to get the help they need, too, when it comes to paying for college. “Right now it’s not something you think about, but when you graduate and you start getting those bills you’ll think about it. Do it for your future self,” Herrington advised. “If you’re gonna further your education this scholarship is a must have,” Herrington said. “It’s a great way to eliminate some of what might have been student loans you’d have to pay.”
And while he acknowledged that college isn’t for everyone, he pointed out that even a little college “opens up a lot of career opportunities.” he said, urging those thinking about furthering their education to go for it. “Knowledge isn’t going anywhere,” he concluded.
