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Audra Zook, valedictorian for Insight School of Nevada's class of 2009, plans on becoming a genetic researcher.

Her interest in science, math and genetics was stimulated by an elementary school teacher and grew into a passion that she will carry on this fall at St. John's College in Annapolis, Md.

"I'm really excited about going," said Zook. "There are about 450 students in the program."

Zook is used to small classes. She transferred to Nye County School District's Pathways program in eighth grade.

"I like working on my own. When I attended Pathways, we had a different building for middle school and a separate room for high school."

Her mother, Jill, said because she and her daughter both grew up as only children, they learned to be self reliant at an early age. "As an only child, you're alone a lot," explained Jill. "Of course, I will miss her while she's away, but I am very proud of her. She's pretty focused and she's a self-starter. She showed that while she was in Pathways and taking classes at Insight."

Insight School of Nevada is an online public high school that partners with organizations such as the Nevada State Board of Education. Students can select from more than 100 online classes and earn a high school diploma while working at their own speed. Zook advanced placement courses in subjects such as calculus and English, earning an A average.

"Pathways is a really great school," said Zook, "but it didn't have some of the courses that I needed. I wanted the challenge of advanced placement courses. Just having classes completely online was also challenging. But Insight has good technology and there were opportunities to talk to the teachers."

She indicated that being self-motivated is the key to success. "It's up to you to turn on the computer and take the classes," said Zook. "Sometimes classes are like a lecture, but sometimes I was the only student in the class."

While there is no traditional interaction with other students during class time, Zook said groups of students might form an online club to communicate or, if they live in the same town, they could meet to study together.

In her spare time, Zook and her mom enjoy acting. They belong to the Shadow Mountain Community Players. At other times the A student takes time out to work on charcoal drawings, with her favorite subject being "my kitties." She has two dogs and two cats.

Her advice to other young adults is to "single out some kind of goal or find something you want to do. Then try to stay focused on it and do whatever you have to do to get there. Try to have some fun at it."

Like her best friend since fourth grade, Shelly Billingsley, Zook believes, "You can do anything you set your mind to." Billingsley, who is Insight's salutatorian, was the first to attend Pathways and then told Zook about Insight.

"There are lots of types of educational opportunities," said Zook's mother. "I think people are beginning to see that there isn't just one right way to learn for everyone. You have to look to see what kind of person you are and select your path."