Six District 93 students will graduate, not once, but twice this month

Thousands of students marched across the Holt Arena stage to accept their degree from Idaho State University this past weekend. A couple of high school seniors were also part of the university’s commencement.

“It was really cool to be part of that ceremony,” said Hillcrest High School senior, Rheim Jayden Jones. “I didn’t know (the other graduates) but I got to be recognized among them, so it was really cool to be part of that. And to have my name read as I got to walk across the stage in front of all those people.”

If all goes according to plan these next few weeks, Jones along with five other Bonneville School District 93 students, will get their associate degree in general studies.

That is before they’ve even gotten their high school diploma.

“I think of all the hard work I’ve put into my high school years and just to think on top of that, earning that associate degree before graduating high school,” said Evy Bird, a senior at Bonneville High School.

These students were involved in the Advanced Opportunities program within the district.

“I wanted to be able to use the money set aside by the state,” Bird said.

Students in grades 7-12 have $4,125 set aside by the state of Idaho to get involved in the Fast Forward program. It includes dual credit enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

“It reduces the amount of student loan debt for example that they may have incurred,” said Corey Telford, the Advanced Opportunities coordinator. “It gets them on further onto their advanced degree, post and secondary program, master’s degree whatever it may be.”

This is third-year that the school district has been working with Idaho State University to provide these advantages.

“We look to find those students that have the drive,” said Jessica Butler, the College and Career advisor at Hillcrest High School. “They’re the ones really leading the charge.”

When it is time to go to college, these students already have a leg up on their peers.

“When I was signing up for all my classes that I need to take, I’d already taken all of them except for one,” said Madison Burr, a senior at Hillcrest High School. “I’m already done with the first semester of college at Utah State.”

These programs even help get them ready for life after college.

“Especially because the medical field is very competitive, I feel like this is a big advantage for me,” said Yezenia Resendiz, a senior at Bonneville High School.”

Students said that this program gives them a feel of what college is like and now know what to expect.

“It definitely helped me get away from procrastination and learn how to balance all the classes and schedules,” said Anika Draper, a senior at Bonneville Online High School.

Especially with those sleepless nights that college kids have to go through.

“I figured out I can do really well on about two hours of sleep,” Burr said. “I can get a lot done.”