SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Sylacauga High School graduate Kaylee Beatty achieved a rare academic milestone this month, earning an associate degree from Central Alabama Community College before receiving her high school diploma.
Beatty graduated from Central Alabama Community College on Wednesday, May 13 and, six days later, received an advanced diploma from Sylacauga High School during commencement exercises on Tuesday, May 19. School officials believe she is only the second student in school history to accomplish the feat.
The achievement was made possible through the dual enrollment partnership between Sylacauga High School and Central Alabama Community College, which allows students to complete both high school and college coursework simultaneously. The program is designed to prepare students for the demands of higher education while enabling them to earn college credit before graduation.
“Congratulations to this outstanding young lady who graduated from Central Alabama Community College just six days before graduating from Sylacauga High School Summa Cum Laude and in the Top 25 of her class,” counselors Ericka Barron and Rhonda Vincent said in a joint statement. “Your hard work, determination, and dedication have set you apart, and this is only the beginning of the amazing things ahead.”
Despite her rigorous academic schedule, Beatty remained active in extracurricular activities, participating in Color Guard for four years and competing on the Scholars Bowl team.
In the fall, Beatty will attend University of West Alabama as a junior majoring in exercise science before pursuing medical school. She is the daughter of Brittany and Louis Beatty.
