Baptist Hill Cadets Earn College Degrees Before High School Diplomas

Story by: Cadet 1^st LT Alize Brisbane, Bobcat Battalion Public Affairs Officer
Photo by: Mrs. Sarah Hogle, Baptist Hill CTE Department Chair

Hollywood, SC. – Two Baptist Hill High School Bobcat Battalion Staff members recently earned college degrees from Trident Technical College – before their high school diplomas.  Bobcat Seniors, Cadet Captain Zion Gordon (S4) and Cadet First Lieutenant Daniela Gutierrez (S1) earned Associate Degrees in Arts and Science, respectively, from Trident Technical College as Dual Enrollment students at Baptist Hill Middle High School. The degrees were conferred upon them on May 5, 2023, and they received high school diplomas on June 2, 2023. Principal Michael De Jong stated, “Their accomplishments are huge because of the amount of money they’re saving and the dedication and the commitment to what they’re doing. They have two years of college already complete, prior to getting out of high school; that is amazing. When I was in high school I never had that opportunity and today’s scholars now can take advantage of it. I’m very proud of them!” They represent two of four other scholars at the school and the third and fourth four-year JROTC Cadets in the past four years to earn college degrees prior to their high school diplomas.