Five Wilson High School seniors will be graduating in grand fashion this weekend at South Plains College in Levelland, TX. The five scholars are Daniel Vasquez, Jesus "Jaziel" Pantoja, Anthony Zaragoza, Ashley Castanon and Jasmin Hinojosa. On Friday, they will be earning their first college degree two weeks before their high school diplomas are in their hands.
These outstanding students have been after this incredible goal since their freshman year in 2021. They started with a dual credit class from the University of Texas, and they only went on to grow from there, eventually earning their 60 credits to fulfill an Associates Degree plan. Along the way they have earned credits from South Plains College and the University of Texas through their dual credit programs.
The road has not been without bumps and detours. Many things have made it a difficult journey. They were full time athletes, class presidents, parishioners, artists, caregivers, and cheerleaders. They carried the weight of a collegiate load while also being your small-town high school students. There were setbacks, but what they learned about how to get up, dust themselves off and try again, is what this program is all about. It taught them perseverance, tenacity, tragedy, and triumph. If you were to ask a single one of them, was it easy, they will give you a resounding NO! If you ask them, was it worth it and did you learn more about yourself than you ever have all while earning a FREE degree? A resounding YES.
The dual credit program is a great way to challenge yourself, learn something new and earn some free college credits. Wilson ISD is going to continue to offer these programs to our students because we know that they are more than capable of success.
Congratulations to the graduates and not to steal Texas Tech's tag line, but, From Here, It's Possible!