Cori Atten of Sylva received her associate in arts degree-college transfer from SCC at the same time she graduated high school from the Hub alternative school. As a high school student in SCC’s dual enrollment program, her college tuition was free. Atten, who is interested in Spanish, is now “adventuring” in Guatemala and immersing herself in the language.

“When I tell my friends that I graduated from high school and college at the same time, they say, ‘Doesn’t get much better than that.’” said Stefani Ries.

“But actually it does,” added this home-schooler. “That’s because I got my first two years of college free.”

Ries joins five other students who just graduated in Southwestern Community College’s dual enrollment program. They are Brittany Bailey, Britney Janow and Amada Janow, all of Macon County, Cori Atten of Sylva and Jessica Stafford of Weaverville.

As part of their high school curriculum, they have taken college-level courses at SCC. Since they are high school students, their college tuition was free.

“I decided to dual enroll because high school just wasn’t challenging me enough,” said Atten, who attended the Hub alternative school. “My principal suggested it and I’ll be forever grateful to him.

“Taking college classes while I was still young enough to live at home and have my parents for help when I needed it, I think will really give me an edge in college, already knowing how it works and all,” said Atten, daughter of Dan Atten and Kathy Campbell of Sylva.

Parents of these dual-enrolled students seem to like the program, too. Sure, it saves them thousands of dollars, but as Ries’ dad, Dale Ries, pointed out, “It’s a great opportunity, especially for home-schoolers. Southwestern has supplied many of their needs that we could not.”

Atten, who is currently in Guatemala, said the two most important things she learned in SCC’s program were time management and self confidence.

“The former is pretty self explanatory but as for the latter, the first class I ever had at SCC I barely even looked at any of the other students,” said Atten. “I didn't talk to anyone and I was pretty much scared out of my mind. By my last semester at SCC, I was confident enough to actually make friends, contribute to class discussions, and be assured in anything I had to say, even if I did still say it in a whisper.”

Atten also described herself as “the quintessential book nerd with an adventuresome side.” In Guatemala she’s immersing herself in the Spanish language and exploring the country.

Last Thursday, May 22, for example, she left on a four day trip to Tikal, a town famous for the ruins and then on Memorial Day she and a friend traveled to Lake Atitlan.

“I usually have class at Tacun Uman with a tutor for four hours from eight a.m. to
noon,” Atten said. “Then after lunch I do anything from exploring the town to
volunteering at a local Proyecto, which is similar to an after-school program for children who don't have anywhere else to go during the day. Overall, it's just an amazing trip.”

“Our dual enrolled students are a special set of students,” said Linda Dyke, SCC’s director of concurrent enrollment. “They are unified by their focus and determination. They know what they want out of life and they are going for it.”

“I want to minor in photography and my goal is to work as a photo-journalist for a magazine,” said Bailey, who plans to transfer to Western Carolina University and major in journalism.

Both Britney and Amanda Janow plan a career in health information management while Ries’ focus is electrical computer engineering technology.

“I’m thankful to Southwestern for giving me this chance to get a head start on my life,” Ries said after her SCC graduation ceremony on the Jackson Campus.

“Southwestern’s program not only challenged me, but it made me challenge myself,” said Bailey. “It helped me to achieve goals that I never thought I could and allowed me to reach a higher level of who I am.”

Atten, who is interested in Spanish and English Education, advises other students to “take advantage of any opportunity to take college classes while still in high school; it's a lot of fun and not to mention, it's a great resume booster!”

Each of the students appreciates how their courses at Southwestern will transfer automatically to any of North Carolina’s 16 public universities.

“By the time I'm through with school I'm hoping to have a minor in creative writing, a major/masters in Spanish, and a PhD in English,” said Atten. “Eventually, I want to be a college English professor, teaching night and online classes so I can be a stay-at-home mom.”

For more information, contact Dyke at 586-4091, ext. 394 or visit the website at www.southwesterncc.edu/collconn/concurrent.

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