Wyatt Porter, a senior at CAJSHS, has met all requirements of obtaining his associate’s degree in the shortest amount of time. He has balanced school work, baseball, and basketball to meet all requirements for obtaining a General Studies Associate Degree, which will be conferred in May.

Wyatt isn’t alone though, he is in the company of four other stellar classmates including Kylee Mitchell, Kirstin Norman, Justin Olah, Jena Soult. All of these students have worked hard all four years of their high school career to earn their associate’s degree from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Dr. Spaid, who is the advisor for the dual enrollment program, says there are currently 28 students enrolled in the program, which has been offered at Clearfield for the past 7 years. That is a lot of students taking advantage of gaining college credit.

Wyatt said, “I would recommend that every student at Clearfield Area Jr. / Sr. High School takes advantage of the plentiful opportunities to gain college credit.  I can’t advise a specific path for each student, however I believe every student has a route that is right for them and they should work to make the best of the opportunities they are presented with.”

Asked if he had any advice for students, Wyatt said: “All I would say to fellow CAJSHS students is to work hard and focus on consistency in all academics.  We have many academic opportunities available to us that we should look into in order to maximize our intellectual growth during our time here at the Clearfield Area Junior / Senior High School.” I would encourage every student to follow these wise words of a senior student here at Clearfield.

Senior Kirstin Norman explained that the dual enrollment program has benefited her in many ways: “I have saved money, will cut college time almost in half, and it has definitely prepared me for college, especially the writing aspect of it.” Kirstin noted that it has taught her time management, too, and she feels she is “better prepared for what the real world will be like.”

Dr. Spaid added, “It’s a great program to save money for college.  The Associate Program is not for everyone.  There is a great deal of work involved to complete the program – but it really gives students a leg up when they head to college.  They have advanced status – they are considered juniors, which means they get to schedule classes ahead of the freshman and sophomores and often they have the benefit of having a car on campus and other upper classman benefits.” Take both Dr. Spaid’s advice and Wyatt’s advice to heart when looking to enroll.

For more information about the benefits of dual enrollment, see Dr. Spaid in the Guidance Office.