Four Los Fresnos High School seniors who are about to graduate have earned enough credit through dual enrollment courses to receive an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Texas Southmost College.
The four soon-to-be LFHS graduates – Citabria Barrales, Antonio Espinoza, Diana Rocha and Matthew Senteno – took and passed 20 classes of three college semester credit hours for 60 hours.
Through the Dual Enrollment program, eligible high school students enroll in college courses while attending high school; taking courses in place of, or in addition to, the normal course load at their high school. High school students admitted to the program must meet the same requirements as all other college students within the guidelines established by The Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Barrales, Esparza, Rocha and Senteno participated in the program and received both high school and college credit. College credit earned upon successful completion of Dual Enrollment courses may be applied towards an Associate degree at TSC or may transfer to other colleges and universities.
Courses included English, Government, History, Mathematics, sciences, component area options and electives.
TSC is holding a Virtual Commencement Saturday.
Barrales has been an "A" Honor Roll student throughout all four years of high school. She has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years, involved with HOSA for four years, involved with Student Council since middle school, and has spent hundreds of hours volunteering in numerous community and church activities. She is also CPR certified.
Rocha also has been on the "A" Honor Roll student since her freshman year and is ranked No. 11 in the Class of 2021. She will be entering college with 66 semester credit hours. She has been a member of HOSA for four years, Spanish Honor Society for three years, Mu Alpha Theta for two years, Skills USA and National Honor Society. She was also a member of the Conjunto for four years and JV Mariachi for one year.
Senteno was an Honor student throughout high school and is ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2021. He was very active in the Rio Grande Valley Lead organization for three years and was named Vice President in his senior year. He also volunteered at numerous community events and was a tutor during Saturday Academy sessions.