Sumter's Next Generation, presented by CCTC: Ragin Prep seniors get head start on college, life with CCTC's dual-enrollment program
With carefree laughter and harmless banter, a group of Ragin Prep Christian Academy seniors are breaking the mold, balancing their last high school year with a taste of college life.
Peyton Fulton, Omari Myers, Tamara Rufus, Anwar Young and Joseph Wright are five of the eight students to experience Central Carolina Technical College's dual-enrollment program, thanks to its three-year partnership with Ragin Prep.
The program was offered to the eight students by Ragin Prep's founder and Headmaster Shawn Ragin, with Omari reasoning he chose them because he knew "we could handle the challenge."
"We are a college preparatory school, so we're always doing things to set them up, whether it be a two-year [college], a four-year [college] or military bound," Shawn said. "We encourage all of them - with the help and support of their parents - to go and take advantage of those courses that Central Carolina has to offer to put you on the track, which also matches our vision and mission for our school."
Dual enrollment provides qualified high school students the opportunity to take college classes while still enrolled in high school, according to CCTC. The program shortens the overall time spent in college, may improve high school GPA, is tuition free as well as allows students to experience college expectations. It also can make a smooth transition from a secondary to a post-secondary institution and allow students to earn a two-year degree or certificate completed by high school graduation.
The group expressed the same sentiment about the program - it was a great head start into the future they've envisioned. Joseph, with his sights set on attending a historically Black college or university, or HBCU, plans to major in business management to prepare for a career in real estate. Tamara and Peyton desire to serve in the military, earning these college credits as backup if they decide to pursue a college education down the line. Omari, already an athlete, looks to take his sports knowledge to the management side, studying sports management at a four-year college. Anwar plans to major in computer science at a four-year college, with his interest in IT and hopes of being an asset to Fortune 500 companies inspiring his decision.
These teenagers are clearly excited for the journey ahead, but they're also mindful of the challenges they face. Balancing high school and coursework hasn't been without its growing pains.
"It's a lot," Tamara shared. "It's complicated because it is our first year, but we manage really good to say we're all seniors that [have] classes back at [Ragin Prep]."
The dual-enrollment program serves as a safety net, comprised of supportive professors and gracious peers who understand these students have a foot in two worlds. The schedule is intense at times, but it's giving them a glimpse into the time-management skills, discipline and independence needed for college.
There are moments for laughter, such as typical "first-day" mishaps like accidentally showing up to campus on a Friday when no classes were scheduled to life lessons of what it means to dream of snakes and other inside jokes that only the Ragin Prep bunch would understand. Every laughter-filled grin they share only draws them closer together.
But when it's time to get serious, the students don't falter. They agreed that the preparedness they now possess from putting themselves out there, accepting the opportunities afforded to them and putting their best foot forward despite the uncertainty of it all makes college less about the credits. It's about growth, resilience and an early look into what adulthood might hold.
When asked what they'd like to say to their headmaster and CCTC staff who made this opportunity possible, two heartfelt words came to mind: "Thank you."
"It means a lot," Peyton expressed, with a soft smile.