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BELL Senior Earns Diploma AND Associate's Degree!
Mackenzie, BELL SeniorAt the beginning of her freshman year, Mackenzie told her then-English teacher, now Assistant Principal, Mrs. Cox that she was going to graduate with her diploma from Reynoldsburg High School and her Associate’s Degree from Columbus State Community College. On May 21, she will do just that.

The BELL senior is “the perfect example that you can graduate with your diploma and Associate’s Degree,” said BELL Assistant Principal Mrs. Cox. “The BELL Academy offers the classes and structure for students to be successful, and take advantage of College Credit Plus and Columbus State Community College.

And take advantage she did! When Mackenzie heads to Alverno College in Milwaukee, she will take 64 college credits with her. Depending on which credits transfer, she could potentially enter the college as a junior.

“Mackenzie is very motivated,” said Mrs. Cox. “When she puts her mind to something, she gets it done.”

In addition to her academic career, Mackenzie is a volleyball player and signed with Alverno to play as a hitter on their team. She is also in the concert orchestra and has a job outside of school, working for a modeling agency as not only a model, but an event planner.

“I knew getting my Associate’s was possible but I didn’t think I could really do it until my junior year,” said Mackenzie. “I worked with my teachers and my counselors and they supported me and I achieved my goal.”

While much of the credit goes towards her teachers and counselors, Mackenzie says her mother is her biggest cheerleader. “She is always by my side and always believed in me,” she said.

Mackenzie plans on studying bio-medical science and wants to go pre-med. She plans on being a psychiatrist, but isn’t ruling out other opportunities. “I play the violin, so I might minor in Music Performance,” she said.

Mrs. Cox wants students to take advantage of the College Credit Plus Program as well as the flexible class times at CSCC. “For any student that wants to go to college, the opportunities are there,” she said. “Columbus State offers night classes, Reynoldsburg High School grants hours for college classes, there are numerous ways to succeed.”

Mackenzie’s advice? Believe in yourself. “Don’t listen to the naysayers. Anything is possible. Work hard and it’s amazing what you can do,” she said.