Ohio Teen Secures College Degree before His High School Graduation in 2021

17-year-old Cameron Ray is on his way to earning his second degree after securing his first while still enrolled in high school.

More and more young achievers are making headlines due to their advanced capabilities in education. One such student is Cameron Ray who already earned his college degree years before his high school graduation.

HOW HE DID IT

Cameron is a 17-year-old student of Warrensville Heights High School who, while enrolled in the institution managed to snag a college degree from Cuyahoga Community College.

He joins the ranks of Martin Luther King Jr. who at 17 also graduated in college, something Cameron is proud of.

Cameron is a beneficiary of the Ohio College Credit Plus Program which allows high school students to earn high school and college credits simultaneously. These students are made to take courses in Ohio colleges or universities for free.

According to a report by Ohio Credit, families who benefitted from their program have saved more than $148 million in tuition between 2017-2018 alone.

As for Cameron, he is one of seven students which availed of the program and graduated this semester. He now has an associate of arts degree. Ironically, he has yet to earn his high school diploma in 2021.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND MOVING FORWARD

On being thrust into college life at his young age, Cameron says it was a challenge he welcomed. “I’ve learned that sometimes it’s the best things in life you’ll be fearful of. But, you’ve got to push yourself and get acquainted,” the young college graduate said in a feature on Warrensville’s website.

Cameron added that the dual program allowed him to learn soft skills such as time management, tutoring, and learning to juggle school and his social life.

Cameron now holds the title of being the youngest Warrensville student to earn a college degree. He joins the ranks of Martin Luther King Jr. who at 17 also graduated in college, something Cameron is proud of.

Cameron will be furthering his education in the coming semester when he enrolls in Cleveland State University where he intends to take up film. His dream is to become a film director.

OTHERS TEEN ACHIEVERS

Like Cameron, 18-year-old Raven Osborne from Indiana secured her college degree before she obtained her high school diploma in 2017. Raven told CBS News then that she became a college degree-holder on May 5 and received her high school diploma two weeks later on May 22.

Even more impressive is Joshua Chari who at 16 years old in 2015, pocketed eight associate degrees while enrolled in a dual credit program. Joshua was honored by the Texas Legislature due to his astounding accomplishment.