Franklin Regional Sr. High School student to receive associate degree before diploma
December 2, 2022Jacinda Floyd of Murrysville will don a cap and gown at Westmoreland County Community College before she walks across the stage to receive her diploma at Franklin Regional Sr. High School. At 17, the ambitious teenager will receive her liberal arts associate degree on May 12 after completing 60 college credit hours while still in high school.
“I had the pleasure of working closely with Jacinda for over two years and can attest to her outstanding character, work ethic and academic abilities. Her drive and ambition are unmeasurable,” boasts Tameka King-Buchak, Westmoreland’s Murrysville Center director.
Floyd began her journey through Westmoreland’s Early College program as a high school sophomore. “It was my mom who really pushed me to enroll,” she explains. “We had an assembly at school in ninth grade. I took the paperwork home and she said we are going to do this. She’s been my rock the entire time.”
The Early College program is a customizable, flexible mix of courses that suit each student’s academic and/or professional goals. Classes are taught by Westmoreland faculty at the Youngwood campus, Westmoreland centers in Fayette County, Indiana County, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant, New Kensington and Murrysville, or online.
Floyd plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Business with a minor in Spanish. Her love of the Spanish language and culture has developed and grown throughout the years, and she hopes to translate that interest into a career. She first began learning Spanish in kindergarten when she attended elementary school at Saint Bartholomew in Penn Hills, and she is now enrolled in Spanish 5 at Franklin Regional.
“I have loved all of my business classes,” Floyd says. “I want to see how business relations are in other places of the world and I feel that Spanish can help me do that.”
Next fall, Floyd will enter a four-year college or university as a junior at the age of 17. She says that her experience at Westmoreland has not only saved her time and money, but has also taught her to open her mind in different ways. In addition, she has the benefit of previewing what college will be like. “I’m still nervous, but more okay going into college,” she says.
Floyd certainly serves as an example of what can be accomplished with effort, time-management skills and determination. In addition to her schoolwork, she plays the clarinet in the marching band, is an active member of the Girl Scouts, dances competitively, and works part time at Rainbow Connection Early Childhood Development Center.
“Jacinda is a wonderful student who will serve as a mentor to other students who boldly pursue an associate degree while in high school,” confirms King-Buchak.
To fellow high school students who are considering the pursuit of an associate degree while in high school, Floyd advises, “Know that it’s not going to be easy, but the hard work will pay off at the end.”
“I’m glad I did it. It was so worth it,” Floyd concludes.
To find out more about the Early College program at Westmoreland County Community College, click here.