Three DHS seniors also earn degrees from FDTC
Darlington High School’s Early College Honors Program announces that three of its seniors are eligible to participate in Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Spring 2020 commencement ceremony and will be recognized as having earned their Associate of Arts degree during the 2019-20 academic year.
When DHS shared its Associate of Arts Degree program with qualified Early College Honors Program students, these students decided to rise to the challenge, persevere and take advantage of this opportunity.
While only high school freshmen, they committed to spend the next three years devoted to taking college courses in addition to their other high school classes, and their hard work has paid off.
MaKenna Benjamin, 2020 Associate of Arts Degree graduate
While a student at DHS, MaKenna has been a member of the Anchor Club and Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). She also worked in the Technology Department at Darlington County School District in the district’s Key to Career Intern program.
When she is not at school, studying, or interning, she enjoys reading, listening to music and playing video games. Makenna plans to be a surgeon and has been accepted to Francis Marion University.
When asked about her time in the Early College Honors Program, she said she would remember her teachers the most and offers this advice to other students: “Don’t procrastinate.”
McKenzie Browder, 2020 Associate of Arts Degree graduate
McKenzie has been involved in several clubs while at DHS. She has been in the Anchor Club each year and was a member of the Key Club her freshman year and the National Honor Society her junior year.
When she is not at school or studying, she enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with her friends and drinking coffee. McKenzie plans to attend Francis Marion University in the fall where she will major in sociology so that she can become a social worker.
When asked about the opportunity to earn a two-year college degree through the Early College Honors Program, she stated that it is “a good way to get a head start on college and gives you a better understanding of what to expect after high school.” She also says, “You really have to give it your all, but it’s worth it in the end!”
Alyssa Graves, 2020 Associate of Arts Degree graduate
Alyssa has been an active student while at DHS and has been a member of the International Club, National Art Honors Society, Gamer’s Guild and Key Club where she has served as Vice president and treasurer.
When she is not at school, studying or working her part-time job, Alyssa enjoys learning about the human body, learning German, watching historical documentaries, and riding her bike. Alyssa plans to attend Francis Marion University in the fall where she will study health science to become a family nurse practitioner.
Alyssa is the first in her family to earn a college degree and will be earning more degrees in the future, so she says the degree program offered at DHS is “a great way for students to prepare for college, and it allows them to get ahead of their peers and save money and time in the long run.”
Alyssa admits that the program is challenging, and it “takes a great amount of dedication and hard work” but says she now feels “confident enough to move on to a real college campus.”
