Lawton Public Schools

Four Lawton Public Schools students will participate in not one but two graduations this month. First they will graduate Friday from Cameron University and then they will receive their high school diplomas two weeks later.

The four, who started taking concurrent classes when they were sophomores, have already accumulated 60 hours or more of college credit through LPS’s concurrent enrollment program which allows students to take college courses while they are still in high school — all for free.

In some cases, the students’ parents encouraged them to take concurrent classes while others pursued it on their own.

“My parents pushed me to do it,” said Bailey Anderson, 18, a senior at MacArthur High School. “My freshman and sophomore years, I was not super career-oriented. LPS pays for it and I just had to do the work. It gets me ahead.” Anderson will graduate with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Nicolas Raso, 18, also a student at MacArthur, credits his sister with setting the example for him to attend college. Raso said he and his sister, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, are the first college graduates in their family.

“I helped my sister with studying. Her influence is why I started with psychology. Without her, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” said Raso, who was introduced to courses at Cameron through the concert band. He has earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Lawton High student Alyssia Diaz, 18, said she was drawn to concurrent courses because of the subject matter.

“One thing that drew me to it was federal government classes. I decided to get Comp I and II out of the way. I liked the fast pace,” Diaz said.  She has earned an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Gabriella O’Brien, 18, senior at Eisenhower High School, said she found out about concurrent enrollment from her school counselor. O’Brien then went to Cameron’s website and did the math to see if she could fit in the classes.

“And I did it,” she said. She has earned an associate degree in business.

Even though the students spend most of their time on a college campus, they say it is important to stay connected to their high schools and not miss out on their senior year.

Diaz has taken elective classes at Lawton High and has participated in technical theater and awards assemblies. She also is a member of the Scream Team and cheers on the LHS sports teams.

“I still get to support my high school. It keeps me from growing up too fast. I like that connection to high school,” Diaz said.

Raso played the trumpet in the MHS band this year and attended football and basketball games as part of the band.

“That’s a part of the high school experience, just being there. With Cameron, it does take up a bit of your time, but I feel like I had the full senior experience,” he said.

With two graduations to prepare for, which one are they looking forward to the most?

Anderson said she is looking forward to receiving her college degree.

“I feel like that means more to me. I had to work harder for that diploma,” she said.

Diaz and Raso said they are looking forward to their high school graduation the most.

“I spent my four years there and did a lot there. It is more of a payoff. It is a lot of hard work finishing high school,” Diaz said.

Raso said he will have the opportunity to conduct the band for a piece they are playing at graduation. That’s not to say he is not looking forward to his first college graduation.

“It’s going to be a lot of emotion. I probably will cry at the end of it. I’m proud I was able to get through this,” Raso said.

O’Brien said she is looking forward to both graduations.

“Cameron is the first and I think that is kind of funny. That is unique,” she said. She has friends at high school who she grew up with and she looks forward to celebrating with them.

“I don’t have those memories with those people (at Cameron),” she said.

All four students plan to take their newly minted degrees and hit the road. Anderson plans to move to Washington state and take a semester off before pursuing a degree in marketing. O’Brien plans to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth College in Richmond, Va., to pursue a degree in health services. Raso and Diaz plan to transfer to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Raso to pursue a degree in music education and Diaz to finish her bachelor degree before applying to OU Law School.

MORE INFORMATION

Lawton Public Schools will pay for books, tuition and fees for sophomores, juniors and seniors who enroll in college courses. Students must meet admissions requirements for the institution they wish to attend.