Success Stories > Distance Learning in Virginia

Virginia motocross teen revs up
success with Web-based Novel courses

CHESTER, Va. – In a sport where many teens never finish high school because of grueling training schedules and endless travel to competitions across the country, Nic Hayes has defied the odds.

The 18-year-old pro-amateur motocross rider recently graduated from high school through Chesterfield County Public Schools by completing his requirements through Educational Options’ Web-based Novel™ courses.

When he wasn’t zipping around two-mile dirt motocross courses or landing jumps that catapulted him more than 40 feet into the air, Hayes was cranking out his Web-based lessons on his laptop or home computer.

Though he’s been riding for more than five years, Hayes said he committed to a more intensive training and competition schedule two years ago as a sophomore. He enrolled in Chesterfield County’s coordinated studies program, which uses Novel, to keep up with his courses.

“I had the same amount of work as everyone else,” Hayes said. “But I just did it early in the morning or late at night.”

Hayes’ typical day included rolling out of bed around 8 a.m., working on his Novel courses for a few hours, and then going for a workout at the gym. The rest of the time was usually dedicated to a five-hour practice on his Yamaha at a local track.

“I had the same amount of work as everyone else, but I just did it early in the morning or late at night.”

“I’m not much for school and waking up early,” Hayes admitted.

An added benefit is “you don’t have to deal with all of the drama” of high school, Hayes said.

He also preferred the online courses because they worked with his frequently unpredictable schedule.

In the winter, the teen and his family would often head south to Florida for up to a month at a time for various competitions and practices. While traveling in the family RV, Hayes could pull out his laptop and Internet broadband card and work on his Novel courses.

“You can go as quickly as you want,” Hayes said. But “you’ve gotta know your stuff about (the subjects).”

Nic Hayes
Distance Learning

For more info contact:

EdOptions
1-866-243-7460

Hayes plans to continue pursuing “pro” status, but said he also wants to take the next step in his education.

“I want to keep racing, but you definitely have to go to college,” Hayes said. “You have to have that these days.”

In the meantime, Hayes and his mother Diana said they want to tell other motocross riders about his success with EdOptions’ Web-based courses.

“I tell them ‘go for it,’” Hayes said. “(Novel) definitely works.”