Alamance Community College (ACC) can boast this month that three of the top scholars in the 2024 Class of Alamance-Burlington Schools will attend universities using associate degree credits they earned while also completing the requirements for their graduation from high school.

 

The valedictorians of Eastern, Graham and Southern High Schools, and the salutatorian of Southern High earned their Associate of Arts degrees from ACC through the Career and College Promise program. All other valedictorians and salutatorians at area high schools earned hours of college credit through ACC’s program.

 

ACC’s free Career and College Promise (CCP) program has been a popular academic option for students and parents for many years. It allows qualified high school students to take courses on campus or online for college credit, nearly all of which are transferable to the sixteen institutions in the University of North Carolina system, as well as other colleges and universities. Those who earn an associate degree can use it to transfer as a junior to a university or college right out of high school.

 

ACC gratefully acknowledges the information in this article first appeared in The Alamance News, which last week reported on the accomplishments and future plans of all ABSS high school valedictorians and salutatorians.

 

Here are the summaries for those valedictorians and salutatorians who earned an associate degree:

 

Eastern High School valedictorian Quincie Loy of Mebane simultaneously earned an Associate of Arts degree from ACC while earning her high school diploma. Loy is planning to enroll this fall at Wake Forest University for which she has received a Steven C. Walker scholarship for $1,000 and a George F. Hankins scholarship for $5,500.

 

Loy recalls that her most memorable experience in high school was receiving the North Carolina Academic Excellence Award, through the CCP program at ACC that allows high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit, free of charge, while also completing their requirements for graduation from high school.

 

“I was the youngest recipient and the first CCP student to achieve this honor,” Loy elaborated.  “This award recognized me out of all the students at ACC – a significant number – to represent the college for academic excellence. It is sponsored by the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). Being chosen for this prestigious award was a moment of immense pride and validation of my hard work and dedication.”

 

“My favorite class in high school was sociology with [John] Neathery at ACC during both my junior and senior years,” Loy told The Alamance News. “Mr. Neathery was not just a teacher; he became a mentor. Unlike many educators, he truly saw and heard each student, including me. His ability to recognize and foster my potential left a lasting impact on me.  [His] teaching style was exceptional – he actively involved students and made learning hands-on, which made the subject matter come alive. I am incredibly thankful for the [Career & College Promise, CCP] program that made it possible for me to take his classes at ACC. Mr. Neathery’s influence is something I will carry with me forever, and I will never forget the lessons he taught me, both inside and outside the classroom.”

 

Graham High School valedictorian Chloe Gabrielle Grandsire also earned an Associate of Arts degree from ACC while working toward her high school diploma.  She is planning to attend Duke University, for which she has received a full scholarship of approximately $87,000 per year.

 

Southern High School valedictorian Addison Sutton also simultaneously earned an Associate of Arts degree from ACC while working toward her high school diploma. Sutton is planning to enroll this fall at UNC Chapel Hill, for which she has received a $10,000 scholarship through the State Employees’ Credit Union.

 

Southern High School salutatorian Alaina Joy McBride also earned an Associate of Arts degree from ACC while simultaneously completing the requirements for her graduation from high school. McBride is planning to attend Duke University, for which she has received a total of $89,474 in scholarship and grants per year.

 

Southeast High School salutatorian Youssef  Gabriel Mostafa earned Career and College Promise credit hours at ACC while in high school, and plans to enroll at Alamance Community College this fall with the intent to later transfer to UNC Chapel Hill to major in biology. Youssef is his high school’s inaugural salutatorian because Southeast first opened its doors to students in August 2023.