18-year-old, Sophia Elizabeth Martin has achieved the exceptional feat of bagging both a degree and high school diploma simultaneously.
Sophia received her high school diploma at Vintage High School and an associates degree at Napa Valley College both in the United States on the same day. For her graduation, she wore the high school’s cap and gown and the university stole around her neck.
She mentioned that she will immediately transfer as a junior to a four-year university adding that she plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in just two short years. “I’m a very independent person. I like always being busy and having so much schoolwork always gave me something to do,” she said.
Sophia thought of taking college classes during her second year in high school. It was during the pandemic when all classes were online. She registered for college classes out of boredom, as they were also held online.
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“I was kind of bored. I was just interested in doing something more. I’m at home anyways, so why not take a class or two?” she said.
Sophia said after getting approval from her high school principal, and her mom, she joined a Napa Valley Unified School District dual enrollment program where high school students can take classes at Napa Valley College for free.
She mentioned that her first Napa Valley College class was cultural anthropology “I’d been really interested in anthropology in general,” she said. Sophia added that she enjoyed the class and found it easy to fit into her schedule.
Even with college classes, Sophia was also taking Advanced Placement and honors courses and other high school requirements. For passing those end-of-semester AP tests, she also received college credits.
Sophia stated that with her busy schedules, she maintained her name on the honor rolls at both schools. She mentioned that she has interests in other activities outside of studying.
She played competitive soccer, works at Francesca’s retail store, and likes country music and hanging out with her friends. Sophia said she was able to juggle both school schedules together by being organized and also because almost all of her Napa Valley College classes were online.
”In fact, “I’ve only been on the Napa Valley College campus once for a class and that was only one-day-a-week; this past semester,” she said.
She stated that she does not feel different than other high school seniors. “I’m a very social person so it’s not like missing out anything. I’m still involved in the senior class. I don’t really feel like an outlier,” she said.
Sophia mentioned that she will be resuming the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she hopes to earn a degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in forensics and a minor in criminology.
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