Mariah Lee Bradshaw, 17, left the commencement on Sunday with two degrees, a high school diploma from Mancos and an associate’s degree in cosmetology from Southwest Colorado Community College.
It is the first time that a Mancos student received two degrees, according to high school officials.
Bradshaw was honored Saturday night with the Early College Achievement award presented by Pueblo Community College President Patty Erjavec in Durango at the DoubleTree.
“This program allows high school students to take college credit while still enrolled and working towards their high school diploma. A few of our Early College students take full advantage of this amazing opportunity and actually earn their associates degree prior to their high school diploma,” Erjavec said.
Bradshaw had to skip the graduation for Southwest Colorado Community College, held at Fort Lewis College Sunday at 2 p.m., because her high school graduation in Mancos was at the same time.
The high school acknowledged her accomplishment Sunday.
“They called me up and had me wear Southwest Colorado Community College’s tassel and shook my hand,” Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw enrolled at SCCC when she was 16.
“I decided to do cosmetology because it sounded like fun,” she said. “But then my sister told me I should go for my associate’s degree because it would be less expensive.”
Bradshaw, who also held down a job at Cox Conoco in Mancos, said that the workload was exhausting at times, pushing her to study until midnight.
Bradshaw plans to attend Colorado State University this fall. She eventually wants a degree in veterinary medicine.
“I wasn’t planning on going to college, I was just going to go to cosmetology, but I fell in love with school again at SCCC,” she said.
Mother Nisha Bradshaw, a teacher at Manaugh Elementary School, is happy that two years of college are already paid for. Bradshaw said she can now work as a cosmetologist to help pay for college.
Southwest Colorado Community College, a division of Pueblo Community College, held its largest graduation in its history May 17, with 151 graduates earning associate degrees or certificates.