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ATTLEBORO

Some cold facts hit John Bourgault Jr. toward the end of his four years at Coelho Middle School. The Cs and Ds he was making weren't good enough to get into Bristol County Agricultural High School.

But that didn't stop him - it motivated him.

"I stayed after school every day and did as much work for extra credit as I could," he said. "I tried to push myself harder. I knew I wanted to come here for carpentry or landscaping."

Aggie Admissions Director Barbara Vadnais said she could see potential in the youngster, even though he didn't have the grades for admission. "I could see him excelling, but he didn't make it the first time," she said.

Nonetheless, his hard work in combination with other students choosing to go elsewhere, moved him up the list and got him in, she said.

Bourgault eventually went on to major in landscaping and to make As and Bs at the Dighton school.

He also qualified for a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship by scoring well on the state's MCAS exam.

Now, Bourgault is headed to Bristol Community College and a major in criminal justice. He hopes to become a crime scene investigator.

John is the son of John and Theresa Bourgault of Elizabeth Street.