When Brooke Shelton began Venture Academy Family of Schools’ (VAFS) home-study program in the fifth grade, she also began a journey into self-confidence and incredible business savvy. It was Brooke’s love of horses and Corriente roping cattle that drove her interests. Home-study led to VAFS’ Independent Study program in high school so that she could pursue team roping and work on her family ranch. She has diligently worked to complete her high school courses as well as three courses at San Joaquin Delta College. Soon she will complete her Graduation By Exhibition and walk in Venture’s June 2, 2010 graduation ceremony—at age 16.

In order to buy a tractor of her own, Shelton’s entrepreneurism led to starting a hay business. She was able to sell to her customers at enough profit to make a down payment on the tractor and purchase more cattle.  She uses the tractor to move the hay, manure, and keep the horse arena in good order.  Shelton also works at Robinson’s Feed where she does the ordering, inventory, and runs the boot department.  She has learned how to build product into and maintain the store’s electronic inventory system and can even clean and shape cowboy hats. In addition to this job, she helps with her family businesses including their ranch and rental property. On the ranch, she takes care of 20 head of roping steer.  Along with her parents, she is fully involved in keeping the books, taking rental applications, cleaning, and painting the rental property.

For fun, Shelton enjoys roping practice using the roping chute she purchased for herself and friends to use and taking care of her dog “Jayda” who she taught to wave, crawl, and ride horses!

When asked what she sees herself doing in five years Shelton quipped, “Going to school, I love school! But I want to stay closed to home, so I will probably attend University of the Pacific after Delta.” She is applying for the Pombo Agricultural Scholarship and plans to pursue a business field—maybe Agricultural finance.

Brooke Shelton accomplished her educational and personal goals through the flexibility of the VAFS programs. Both the home-study and Independent Study programs and the teachers who worked with Shelton, allowed her to complete her goals through personalized learning model that tailors the student’s program to fit their individual needs and desires.