With hopes to teach English as a second language, Aspen Abner will soon trade high school and dual enrollment college classes for the Ivy League. Abner will complete an Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree in General Studies from Wytheville Community College (WCC) as she also graduates with an advanced diploma from Fort Chiswell High School (FCHS). This fall, Abner has been accepted at Harvard University to study linguistics.

Abner gained an appreciation of world languages when she was given the opportunity to study abroad in summer programs offered by two other Ivy League schools, Brown and Yale Universities. In the Brown University program, she was able to spend time in Rome while studying Italian, and at Yale University she traveled to Beijing, China, to study Chinese. Abner has also studied French at FCHS as a part of her advanced diploma curriculum.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has disrupted many of the milestones of Abner’s senior year, yet she remains high spirited and has adjusted well to remote delivery of the remainder of her classes. Abner attributed the ease of transition of classes to the fact that many of her dual enrollment classes with WCC were already online and that her high school class that had to transition was French, a class that she felt very comfortable in before moving to remote instruction.

In addition to her love of languages, Abner stated one of her favorite classes at WCC was a summer class she took directly with WCC that was offered online.

“Mr. [Josh] Floyd [, WCC Dual Enrollment Coordinator] was always helpful when it came to my dual enrollment classes,” said Abner. “He has been quick to get right back to you when you need something and continually kept us updated during the transition.”

In addition to the love of language, Abner also found time during her busy high school schedule to be involved in multiple clubs and sports. Some of her extracurricular activities included Marching Band, Tennis, MACC, and Mu Alpha Theta.

“WCC is very proud of Aspen’s accomplishments,” said Floyd. “I am confident that she will do well as she continues her education at Harvard.”

WCC Dual Enrollment is offered to area high school students to provide an opportunity for students to receive college credit while completing their high school diploma. Many dual enrollment students are able to complete a degree or certificate before their high school graduation. For more information about WCC Dual Enrollment, contact Josh Floyd, Dual Enrollment Coordinator, at (276)223-4110 or jfloyd@wcc.vccs.edu.

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