Six California City High School students graduate college

Cerro Coso Community College is celebrating six high school students that earned both their Associate in Arts (AA) college degree in Liberal Arts, as well as their high school diplomas from California City High School.

The six students are Airam Gomez, Ashley Padilla, Kimberly Alvarez, Nicole Cabrera, Daisy Montano and Gabrielle Moore.

"All were dedicated, hardworking and truly committed to getting their Associates degree by the time they graduated from high school and have plans to continue their education in the fall," said Kristen Hanle, program manager for East Kern.

Airam will be attending Northern Arizona University where she will be pursuing a degree in Biology. Ashley will be attending College of the Canyons where she will be finishing the pre-requisites to pursue a degree in Nursing. Kimberly will be attending Long Beach State where she will be pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Nicole will be attending California State University Fresno to pursue a degree in Animal Science. Daisy will be attending Antelope Valley College where she will pursue Nursing. Gabrielle will be attending the University of Washington where she will be pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management, Oceanography, or both.

By earning their Associate in Arts (AA) college degree in Liberal Arts, these students will start as juniors or third year college students of study, thus accelerating their ability to earn a Bachelor's Degree and at the same time saving money and potentially limiting student debt.

Cerro Coso President Jill Board said, "observing the hard work of all those involved in our high school partnerships, and especially the students crossing the finish line during a global pandemic, makes the work that we do every day so rewarding. They inspires us all to create even more unique pathways to college degrees and credentials."