For many high school students, figuring out life after graduation can feel overwhelming. College, careers, finances — it’s a lot to sort through. For Avery, that uncertainty disappeared the moment he walked into his first business class.
“I took “Intro to Business” and I just fell in love right then and there,” Avery said. “The first day I was like, holy cow — this is what I want to do!”
That spark set Avery on a clear path — one built through Career and Technical Education (CTE), dual credit opportunities, and hands-on business experience that’s preparing him for a future in accounting and entrepreneurship.
Discovering Business Through CTE
Avery began taking CTE business classes at Sedro-Woolley High School during his sophomore year, starting with Intro to Business and continuing with entrepreneurship and marketing.
“I took all the business classes at the high school that I could,” he said. “I still wanted to stay involved in business.”
That desire led him to the Northwest Career & Technical Academy (NCTA), where he enrolled in the Money & Business program. As a junior, Avery dove deeper into business concepts while gaining real-world experience that went far beyond a traditional classroom.
Along the way, he drew inspiration from people who shaped his interest and confidence — especially his grandfather, who worked in business for many years.
“It was kind of the family trade,” Avery said. “I knew I wanted to be like the man he is today.”
He also credits a teacher at Sedro-Woolley High School, Mr. Jeffrey Slough, for pushing him to grow.
“He really helped me step outside of my comfort zone and pushed me to strive for greatness.”
Growing Into a Leader
Avery is now in his second year of NCTA’s Money & Business program—a competitive, advanced course that requires students to apply and demonstrate strong leadership and commitment.
“The hardest part was becoming a year two,” Avery said.
With encouragement from his instructor, Mr. Liam Cary-Eaves, and a commitment to developing his leadership skills, Avery earned his spot. Today, he helps lead projects, mentor other students, and guide day-to-day operations of the program’s student-run business.
Last year, Avery had the opportunity to go to a National Stock Market Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, and he won third place. He got to stay at Georgia State University for several days and came home with a trophy and $1,000.
Learning by Doing
What Avery values most about CTE is the hands-on experience.
“I like being able to actually touch everything,” he explained. “We’re not just talking about business — we’re running one.”
Students in the program operate a real, student-led merchandise company — designing, producing, pricing, and selling custom apparel. Avery has helped fulfill large orders for school districts, healthcare organizations, and community partners across the region.
He’s worked with professional-grade equipment like heat presses, helped manage inventory, and played a key role in transitioning the company’s point-of-sale system from Square to Clover. The experience even allows him to work after school and earn a paycheck — another layer of real-world responsibility.
Real Clients, Real Responsibility
The student-run business serves clients beyond the classroom, giving Avery and his peers firsthand experience working with deadlines, large orders, and customer expectations.
“We’re trying to get more external clients,” Avery said. “That’s a big focus.”
Students also dive into pricing strategies, cost analysis, balance sheets, and revenue tracking. For Avery — who plans to pursue accounting — those skills are directly aligned with his future goals.
The experience has even included presenting their work to district leaders and administrators.
“That was a really cool experience,” Avery said. “They actually reached out to us afterward to buy merch.”
Advice for Other Students
When asked what advice he would give to students considering CTE or dual credit options, Avery’s answer was immediate:
“Just get out there and do it!”
He encourages students not to feel pressure to have everything figured out right away.
“I didn’t know I wanted to do business until I took a business class,” he said.
For students worried about balancing the workload, his advice is simple:
“As long as you do the work every day, you won’t fall behind. That’s the biggest thing.”
What’s Next
In addition to attending NCTA, Avery is taking Running Start dual credit classes at Skagit Valley College. After earning his high school diploma, he plans to continue at Skagit Valley College in the Business Direct Transfer Agreement program before transferring to Washington State University to earn his master’s degree in accounting.
His long-term goal? To run his own accounting firm serving high-profile clients.
Thanks to CTE and dual credit opportunities, Avery isn’t just imagining his future—he’s actively building it.
This blog is in celebration of CTE Month! If you or someone you know earned CTE Dual Credits in high school and then transferred them to college, let us know! We are looking for students in college or recent college graduates interested in sharing their CTE Dual Credit experience with us. Contact Mary Powers at mpowers@nwesd.org.