BELL Academy Sophomore to Receive Diploma AND Associate Degree in May
Fifteen year old BELL Academy student Danya Hamad is set to graduate high school this year with not only her diploma from Reynoldsburg High School but an Associate Degree from Columbus State Community College. She will be the youngest graduate walking the stage during CSCC’s commencement May 12.
Danya participated in an accelerated pathway through Reynoldsburg High School’s BELL Academy and plans to be a lawyer when she finishes her schooling. An open enrollment student within Reynoldsburg City Schools, she took advantage of the College Credit Plus Program the District offers, taking not only high school but college-level classes during the day, after school and in the summer. She has been accepted to Capital University with scholarships, where she will enter as a junior. As if that wasn’t a heavy enough workload, she also had an internship at a law firm working in the worker’s compensation department.
The hardest part? All the work! “I love to learn, so that has been fun, but I’ve had homework every night,” said Danya. The best part? The payoff. “Seeing how all the hard work and dedication paid off has been worth it!” she said.
Danya credits her parents for researching the College Credit Plus Program and encouraging her to become an open enrollment student within Reynoldsburg City Schools. “College is something that my parents never got to do, and I think I’ve lifted a weight off their shoulders. I have four siblings and we are all going to be in college around the same time, so between my scholarships, my tuition is covered and I am going to apply for scholarships to help pay for books and outside costs. My parents won’t have to worry about paying for school for me,” she explained.
“I commend Danya for her commitment and dedication to her education and her future,” said Reynoldsburg City Schools Superintendent Tina Thomas-Manning. “Our academy pathways are designed to prepare our students for college and careers and I am pleased we were able to provide her with the opportunities she needed to secure her dream of becoming a lawyer. I also want to acknowledge the outstanding partnership with Columbus State Community College. Danya’s accomplishment is proof of the power of our collaborative efforts.”
“The BELL Early College Academy was designed for students like Danya in mind,” said BELL Early College Academy Principal Kimberley Cox. “Our teachers design their curriculum to include 9th and 10th grade, which paves the way for an accelerated pathway in business education, leadership and law. Danya stayed true to her path and achieved a fantastic result. The partnership with Columbus State Community College and the College Credit Plus Program shows that with dedication and commitment, the opportunity is here for students to excel.”
Danya will walk the stage May 12 at Columbus State Community College’s graduation and then again May 23 when she receives her diploma from Reynoldsburg High School. After graduation? She plans to have some fun. “Now that I don’t have homework, I can relax a bit,” she said.
“I’m excited to graduate, but will be sad not to be back at Reynoldsburg High School,” Danya said. “But don’t worry, I’ll be visiting!”