Dual Credit Gives Quinlan Graduate a Head Start

Published or Revised August 05, 2013

Ariel Smith of Quinlan will get to realize one of her dreams this fall. The 2013 graduate of Ford High School in Quinlan will begin her college career at the University of Texas Engineering School in Austin, thanks to her success as a dual credit student at Paris Junior College-Greenville. Already enrolled as a sophomore, Ariel said she is thrilled at the chance to attend the University of Texas. “I always wanted to go to UT, but was never quite sure I could do it,” she said. Through her grit and determination, and the encouragement of her parents, Ariel earned 24 hours of college credit at Paris Junior College (PJC) through the dual credit program partnership with Quinlan Ford High School, and another 12 hours by attending college classes on her own. Ariel said her parents told her she should get all the course work and credits she could at PJC before enrolling at a university. The 36 hours she completed at PJC were fully accepted by UT and gives Ariel a head start as she enters the university level. “I had always thought I wanted to be an architect,” Ariel said. “But I realized that I like math and the technical side of architecture, so I applied for the engineering program at UT in the spring of this year and was accepted into the program. I will move to Austin in August.” Ariel, 18, said living with parents who are a reading teacher and a math teacher has a way of influencing you in a positive way. “They have always helped and supported me every step of the way.” Ariel’s mother, Amy Norris, teaches fifth grade at Butler Intermediate School in Quinlan. Her stepfather, Jeff Norris, is a math instructor at Paris Junior College. “We are very proud of Ariel and admire the effort she has put forth in getting a lot of her college work done here at home,” Jeff said. “It is an economic savings for us, and gives her a great deal of confidence as she goes off to the university.” The future University of Texas student, who graduated fifth in her class at Ford High School, said that taking part in the dual credit partnership offered by her high school and PJC is the best thing any student can do. “For those planning to attend college, it basically gives us a head start,” she said. “In the case of Ford High School in Quinlan, our dual credit courses are free and the school furnishes transportation to and from the PJC campus in Greenville. That gives us exposure to college life and campus atmosphere.” Dr. Pamela Anglin, President of Paris Junior College, said, “Ariel's success with our dual credit partnership with Quinlan Ford High School is our objective for all students enrolled in this program. We offer Ariel our congratulations and wish her much success as she enters the University of Texas this fall. She enters a large university with college campus experience as well as college course credit.” Ariel will be making a trip or two to Austin soon. Through the help of the UT Engineering School, she has been contacted by some Austin engineering firms to interview for an internship. She said she would go in the next two weeks for interviews. “I am excited — and a little nervous — but looking forward to the challenge,” she said.