AHS senior Chelsey Dillard will have attained an associate's degree at the same time she graduates high school. She will be attending Western Carolina University in the fall.
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High school and college?
Dillard is first to earn both AHS and WCC diplomas
By LAURA THORNBURG
Staff
About this time two years ago, an Alleghany High School senior was about to embark on an effort that upon its completion would lead to the earning of an associate's degree.
When Chelsey Dillard set out to attain college credits as a second-semester sophomore, she followed up by taking summer courses. During summer registration talks, Dillard informed Jayne Phipps-Boger, the director of the Alleghany campus of Wilkes Community College, she had a goal of attaining an associate's degree by her high school graduation.
According to Boger, Dillard is the first AHS student to graduate high school with an associate's degree under her belt.
Dual Enrollment
Dillard explained those interested in taking classes at the Alleghany campus of WCC while enrolled at AHS simply start with taking a placement exam to determine what classes they can be enrolled in.
"If you're able to get into the class you want, you sign up for it at the high school and then Mrs. Boger will come up to the high school and help you sign up through Wilkes and the high school at the same time and the really cool thing is you don't have to pay for it but you do have to pay for your books."
Dillard then noted there is a new program being instituted that would reduce students' costs. Instead of purchasing the books outright, they have the opportunity—in most cases—to pay a rental fee, which would be returned to them at the end of the class session.
"It's a whole lot cheaper then having to buy all the books," remarked Dillard. Meanwhile, for the exception of some summer classes, semester classes are free of charge to enrolled AHS students. With a smile, Dillard added, "Getting your tuition and everything paid for, that's really great…it saved my mother a lot of money. I hope other people do the same thing…"
The Secret
When asked the secret behind her ability to achieve her goal, Dillard noted it was in one word, organization.
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