Madi Bonfigt, one of ACP’s graduates, soared through the air this summer during an exhilarating skydiving experience. She is a member of the class of 2018, the first class to have been at ACP-Erie every year since it opened. She began attending ACP-Erie in 7th grade and continued going here all through high school. I had the opportunity to follow-up with Madi and learn more about her post-ACP life. She had a thrilling skydiving experience this summer and also has some words of wisdom for current ACP students! Here’s some more information about how Madi is spending her time after graduating from high school:

Q1: How did you spend your recent summer vacation?

A1: This past summer I worked at a daycare but also went to both Catalina Island and San Francisco. In Catalina my friends and I explored the island in a little golf cart, went zip lining, and parasailing. While in San Francisco, I went skydiving, visited the Winchester Mystery House, and explored Chinatown.  I hadn’t been to either in a while, so it was fun to go back and explore areas I had never seen before and try new adventurous activities!

Q2: We heard that you went skydiving. What was your favorite part of that experience?

A2: Skydiving was AMAZING! The entire experience was surreal. My friend Cassi Gregory (who also went to ACP) and I jumped in Hollister, CA at 13,000 feet. From that height you could see the ocean as well as the beautiful vineyards and mountains within Hollister. My instructor told us after the jump that we were free falling for 8,000 feet at 140 mph before he pulled the parachute! The free fall was the most exhilarating part of the whole experience! After he pulled the parachute, I was able to just relax and enjoy the view while we made our way to the ground. Skydiving has been on my bucket list for years, and I would highly recommend adding it to your own bucket list even if you think you are scared of heights! Skydiving was the best experience of my life and I feel like I can do anything now. I will be going again very soon!

Q3: What would you recommend to current ACP students?

A3: What I would say to current ACP students is to stick it out. ACP was hard but it honestly prepared me so much for college. Coming into college I knew what to expect from a college course as I had taken ones with a similar structure at ACP. College has been a breeze (knock on wood) thanks to my education at ACP. My advise is to do your best but also live your life. You are only young for a short amount of time.

Q4: What college did you decide to attend? Are you enjoying it?

A4: I am currently a second year at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. I honestly struggled my first year being away from home, but overall my first year was incredible. I met so many wonderful people and experienced so many things I never thought I ever would. Up north, there were many places I had never been able to explore like Chocolate Falls and the Grand Canyon. I have also loved the cooler weather, rain and snow!

Q5: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A5: I still feel super connected to ACP and always will. I thank ACP for so many opportunities and memories I have made over time. Cherish your moments at ACP because once you get your diploma, it’s never quite the same. Lastly I can’t wait to cheer on my ACPVB girls this year! I miss you and love you all!!

When ACP’s students graduate, many of them proceed to make extraordinary accomplishments and spend their time pursuing their passions. Skydiving certainly seems like a once-in-a-lifetime experience that Madi will remember forever. What a fun way to spend her time after graduating ACP!