High school students earn EWC college degree

(Left to right) Newcastle High School students Jordan Brooks and Hannah Williams.

Three Eastern Wyoming College students recently earned Associate degrees from the College and their high school diplomas, one week later.

On May 8, 2015, Newcastle High School students Jordan Brooks and Hannah Williams and Douglas High school student Jenna Hepp graduated from Eastern Wyoming College.  Through a program known as Concurrent and Dual Enrollment, eligible Newcastle and Douglas High School students may take college courses while still in high school.

Douglas High School student Jenna Hepp

“Many students take advantage of this opportunity to earn college credits and get a jump start on their college education,” shared Mike Durfee, Associate Vice President for Outreach and Learning.  “Through extraordinary effort, energy, dedication and focus, all three of these students completed an Associate of Arts degree from EWC while engaged in their high school studies.”

“This experience has not been easy, but it has taught me a lot,” shared Ms. Brooks.  “It takes dedication and time in order to earn 60 college credits and it really has put into perspective what college will be like for me in the future.  The EWC program has prepared me for college more than high school ever could have and I am very thankful for that.  My plans for this next year are to study and tour in Pisa, Italy and then in the fall to attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy.  I will than go on to earn my doctorate in Drug Rehabilitation Psychology.”

Ms. Williams shared the following about her accomplishments, “My experiences with EWC were wonderful, they were very accommodating to my high school schedule and made college possible for me.  In the fall I plan on attending Casper College to further my interest in Occupational Therapy.”

Principal Tracy Ragland, Newcastle High School, strongly supports the partnership between EWC and the high school.  “Hannah is probably one of the most driven young ladies I have had the chance to work with in several years.  She is a leader in the classroom and she also has numerous projects she is involved with ranging from being the Student Body President to a cadet in our Explorers program with the local fire department.  Her hard work and dedication to developing her future has always been the first and foremost goal in her high school career.”  Ragland added the following about Ms. Brooks, “This is another young lady who has set high goals for herself and worked extremely hard to achieve them.  Jordan knew at an early age what she would need to do in order to become involved in the career of her choice.  Jordan made several sacrifices along the way to achieve her degree at such a young age.”

Jenna Hepp, Douglas High School, followed that same path and also earned her diploma and college degree in May.  DHS principal Dan Edwards shared the following, “Jenna is that type of student driven to accomplish a high school diploma and an associate’s degree within the four years of high school.  The commitment Jenna made is way above and beyond what the normal high school student is willing to do.  I am very proud to have had the opportunity to work with this young lady and I am extremely confident that her future endeavors will be a tremendous success.”

“I am so grateful to EWC and the district for allowing me the opportunity to accomplish this,” added Jenna Hepp.

Students interested in learning more about concurrent and dual enrollment opportunities at their high school should contact Mike Durfee at 307.532.8346 or by email at mike.durfee@ewc.wy.edu.

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