Three local students earn LCC degrees or certificates before their high school graduation

Three Lassen Community College students participated in LCC’s May 21 Commencement Ceremony — earning associate in arts degrees or certificates two weeks before they received their high school diplomas at Lassen High School.

All three students walked in the commencement ceremony that featuring nearly 140 students — a marked increase in the number of participants this year for the ceremony held in the quad.

According to an LCC spokesperson, “We have two this year who will be graduating from LCC with their AA’s, two weeks before they walk in their high school graduation which is truly an amazing feat for these two young individuals.”

These students are more motivated than others, eagerly rose to the challenge and took advantage of the program that allows LHS students to take college courses while they’re still in high school.

Christian Henry
Christian Henry earned an associate in arts degree in psychology for transfer and an associate in arts degree in university studies: social science, an associate in arts degree in general studies: social science and a CalGETC certificate of achievement (California general education transfer curriculum).

Henry said he spread his college work over four years.

“I started near the end of eighth grade,” Henry said. “I did middle school at Richmond Elementary. I started with one class — an easy one — and I’ve been doing classes ever since, some during the summer but most during the semester.”

Henry, already a good student, said the classes weren’t too hard, but they were more academically challenging than those at LHS.

“The classes were another level that I hadn’t done before,” but Henry said, “but the workload was not too much for me.”

Henry said he eventually plans to attend a four-year college, and major in psychology.

He wholeheartedly encourages other Lassen High students to take classes at Lassen Community College.

“It’s definitely worth it,” Henry said, “as long as you stay up with your work. I think they should start it as soon as they can. If they’re capable, I think they should just get started and get it done. It saves you what would be two years of college, so for sure … I’m two years ahead of the game.”

While Henry thinks he may go to college “straight away,” having this two-year degree in hand gives him a little breathing room to possibly explore other opportunities.

“Even if I wanted to take a year off, I’m still a year ahead,” he said.

Jazlene Meza
Jazlene Meza earned an associate in arts degree in university studies: social science and a CalGETC certificate of achievement (California general education transfer curriculum).

Meza said she started taking college classes the summer going into her eighth-grade year, “and I’ve been going every since.”

“It’s a really great thing that they allow so many high school students this opportunity to get a little ahead of the game,” Meza said.

She said she plans to continue her studies at LCC in order to complete all the prerequisites for a four-year degree in speech pathology. When she realizes that goal, she plans to transfer to the California State University, Chico.

“I want to get it done here, and then transfer to Chico,” she said.

Meza also encourages LHS students to take advantage of the opportunity to take college classes while still in high school.

“It’s free,” she said. “It’s being provided by the schools, so you might as well take advantage of the opportunity they’re giving you. It doesn’t take a lot. It’s tedious, and it’s going to take time from your day, but in the end, it’s going to benefit you so much.”

Meza said her older sister participated in the program before her, so it’s sort of a family tradition.

“It’s a reoccurring theme for each of us,” she said.

Other family extended members also have taken advantage of similar dual enrollment opportunities, she said.

Koyle Urrutia 
Koyle Urrutia earned a certificate of accomplishment in basic mechanics. LassenNews.com was unable to reach Urrutia for comment for this story.