 Humiliated, he returned home to Plymouth Notch and spent months helping his father rebuild the countertops in the general store. However, he remained determined to pursue a college education, especially at Amherst. He learned that he could pursue a remedial term at St. Johnsbury Academy, a high school in the northeast kingdom of Vermont. And through a special program, he was able to gain admittance to Amherst, showcasing his persistence even at a young age.