Kampton Carter graduated from Ventura College on May 19, 2023, earning four Associate of Art degrees. She’s acquired an Associate of Art degree in Liberal Studies, Associate of Art degree in Arts and Humanities, Associate of Art degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, and an Associate of Art degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics along with an Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certification.

She attained Highest Honors with a 4.0 GPA after completing a total of 76 college credits as a part-time college student over the last four years while attending high school full-time. What makes this so unique is that she did this at the young age of 17 years old and before ever graduating from high school! On June 16, 2023, she completed her studies at El Camino High School with a 4.4 GPA and graduated summa cum laude as well.

Kampton has had a history of challenging herself from a very early age. Her second-grade year at Olivelands Elementary School, she began competing in spelling bees and placed third without studying the word list. It was then she discovered her orthographic skills and developed a love for words. In her pastime she would enjoy studying word origins, definitions and their parts of speech. By fourth grade she won her school’s spelling bee and advanced to the SAGE Ventura County Spelling Bee for the first time. For five consecutive years she was undefeated at the school level. During her 8th grade year, Kampton won the 2019 SAGE Ventura County Spelling Bee at the age of 13 for her final year of competition and advanced to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. where she competed with other finalists. Two weeks after the competition Kampton graduated from Briggs School as a valedictorian.

Kampton attended El Camino High School (ECHS) for all four years. ECHS has had a humble reputation for their exceptional independent studies program. The program enables students a dual-enrollment opportunity by allowing students to take a maximum of 11 units per semester at local community colleges while concurrently attending high school.

She has enjoyed many extracurricular activities throughout high school despite the restrictions of the pandemic and rigorous schedule. She competed in Poetry Out Loud, Ventura County Poetry Project, Optimist Club Essay Contests, Lions Club Speech Contests, Knowledge Bowl Competitions, Geo Challenge Competitions, completed a Pre-Engineering Program at the Port Hueneme Naval Base, participated in Journalism Club as well as Political Discourse Club at ECHS, took equestrian lessons, violin lessons, played soccer for AYSO for the first time her senior year, and interned at Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura (CAPS Media) where she learned the skills to conduct interviews, use video editing software, and operate camera/studio equipment. In fact, Kampton along with her peers and mentor Phil Taggart recently won four Western Access Video Excellence (WAVE) awards for interviews at Ventura’s only local broadcasting station.

Kampton will be attending Pepperdine University in the fall and plans to double major for Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications as well as International Studies. She will be part of Pepperdine’s selective Regent Scholars Program.

by Ross Williams

Every morning, Marcus Aldrich wakes up at 5am and starts his day with a trip to the gym. Afterward, he manages his various business ventures. From Kayak rentals, Vinyl sticker decals, party photo booths, Uber Eats and DoorDash, Marcus has carved out a niche for himself as a versatile entrepreneur. Marcus stands out for his kindhearted nature, quiet demeanor, quirky personality and for the fact that for the last few years he has lived out of his car.

During the pandemic, Marcus made a bold decision to come to California with his brother in search of better opportunities and to distance himself from the negative influences that had held him back at home in Peoria Illinois. Shortly after, circumstances took an unexpected turn when his brother decided to return home leaving Marcus alone in a new and unfamiliar environment. Despite this, Marcus chose to stay and persevere, determined to gain personal clarity and forge his own path towards a brighter future.

Marcus has demonstrated an unparalleled level of resourcefulness. With his creative talent and entrepreneurial mindset, he finds immense joy in the diverse range of ventures he engages in and the variety that they bring to his life. Whether he’s playing the harmonica or cooking meals for his friends, Marcus enjoys all of his creative outlets and they bring him fulfillment. Yet, he also seeks validation. A sign or spark that reassures him that he is on the right path. The harmonica is an extension of his voice and can’t be used for money and cooking is an expression of love, generosity and friendship. Marcus, like all of us yearns for a sign. Some signal that his efforts are resonating and hopes to make a meaningful impact in his own unique way.

An Unexpected Companion: Dale the Quail:

Amidst the challenges Marcus may face on a daily basis, a heartwarming tale unfolds with the presence of his pet quail, Dale. Marcus’ compassionate nature led him to rescue Dale from an uncertain fate; becoming someone’s dinner. The companionship they share adds another layer of depth and joy to Marcus’ life as Dale hops around with his adorable feathery fluff bouncing this way and that.

Marcus’ story serves as a powerful reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the potential that lies within each individual, regardless of their circumstances. While Marcus may be facing adversity, his spirit remains unyielding. His quest for personal growth serves as a reminder that circumstances do not define a person’s potential. His unwavering determination and entrepreneurial endeavors deserve recognition and support from the community.

By embracing success and extending kindness, we can play a role in uplifting individuals like Marcus, who strive to overcome adversity and create a better future for themselves and those around them.

Despite Marcus being in a position where he can now afford a place to live, he grapples with deep-seated fears of not being able to sustain it and the looming possibility of eviction. As someone with Asperger’s syndrome, Marcus faces unique challenges in making decisions, whether it pertains to choosing between different business opportunities or selecting a place to call home. The inherent nature of this condition can cause someone to overanalyze and experience anxiety over potential outcomes. These fears, combined with the inherent unpredictability of life, intensify his apprehension about securing a stable living situation.