Three DCHS Seniors have graduated college before graduating high school

May 10, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

It’s official!

Three seniors at DeKalb County High School, Jasmine Bilbrey, MacKenzie Sprague, and Natalie Snipes are now college graduates. The trio has already earned an Associate degree in Science from Motlow State Community College, and they walked the line Monday evening, May 9 in a Motlow ceremony at MTSU in Murfreesboro, four days before their graduation at DCHS Friday night, May 13.

Through Motlow College’s dual enrollment program, high school students like Bilbrey, Sprague, and Snipes can earn college credits through on-line courses while still enrolled in high school.

Students who have completed their sophomore year and have met all requirements for taking the desired college courses may apply. Public, private and home-schooled students are all welcome to apply. The program gives students the chance to seamlessly transition from high school to college. The core curriculum credits transfer easily to Tennessee’s public colleges and universities while allowing students who are working on a four-year degree to save money on tuition.

In an interview with WJLE this week, each of the three seniors at DCHS talked about the thrill of earning a college degree, even before finishing high school, and their future plans.

Snipes, the 17-year-old daughter of Timothy and Michelle Snipes, said although the dual enrollment path she chose was challenging it has been well worth it.

“I have been working toward my Associate Degree since the summer after my freshman year. I played basketball and was involved in a lot of clubs, so it created some stress especially when I had to make sure I got all my schoolwork done after my extracurricular activities each day before going to bed and then waking up the next morning and doing it all again, but it was definitely worth it. It was something I was really passionate about going into high school and as soon as I figured out I could graduate with an Associate Degree, It was something I was definitely interested in and something I wanted to do,” said Snipes.

After high school graduation, Snipes plans to further her education in the nursing program at Tennessee Tech this fall with a career goal in the nursing field.

As for leaving DCHS, Snipes said there are naturally some mixed emotions. “I’m sad about leaving the school I’ve been at for the last four years because I have made a lot of good memories but I’m excited to see what is going to happen next,” said Snipes.

Bilbrey, the 18-year-old daughter of Jessica Williams and Stephen Bilbrey, said she began taking dual enrollment classes in the fall of 2020 at the start of her junior year.

“A lot of the classes that were required for high school I just went ahead and dual enrolled instead of taking them at the high school and through Motlow which made it tough but it has been really fulfilling to see that hard work pay off,” said Bilbrey.

Although she recommends the dual enrollment track to other college bound students, Bilbrey said they should take it seriously and be prepared to see it through.

“If you are willing to make the commitment and do it then it’s definitely worth it, but if you are not going to actually do it then you are going to waste your scholarship money and your grants,” said Bilbrey.

At DCHS, Bilbrey serves as treasurer of the senior class and she is active in the FBLA, Beta, Student Government and Service Society, among other clubs.

Bilbrey will be attending college this fall at East Tennessee State University where she will be working toward her health science major. Bilbrey’s plans are to become an internal pediatrician.

Departing DCHS with graduation Friday night will be a bittersweet moment for Bilbrey, whose class has gone through so many ups and downs over the last four years.

“We are the senior class that has gone through pretty much everything including COVID which ruined our sophomore and junior year but we’ve just gone through a really great senior year. It’s going to be really hard to close this door and get ready to open a new one,” said Bilbrey.

Sprague, 17-year-old daughter of Wanda Sprague and Wendall Bradford, told WJLE that she began her first dual enrollment class the summer between her sophomore and junior year.

“I took one class that summer and never thought I would really complete all my classes to graduate with my associates. I honestly took some of the classes because I knew they could be free or cheaper on my mom when it was time to do college classes in the future. I continued to excel in my dual enrollment classes. Before I knew it, I had only few classes left and now earning my degree before graduating high school. It’s an accomplishment and couldn’t have done it without my mom,” said Sprague.

With two years of college, Sprague will have a head start when she enrolls at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville this fall with a dream of one day becoming pediatric nurse.

She said her experience in the dual enrollment program at DCHS has been rewarding and she would recommend it to other college bound students.

“I highly recommend doing the classes to anyone that wants to get a head start in their college years, it has been a great experience. Overall, I think it’s a great idea to start on your future, just have someone in your corner as far as your biggest fans and you can make anything happen, believe in yourself,” she said.

Sprague played softball for three years at DCHS and she is a member of the Service Society, FBLA, and Beta Clubs.

Although saying goodbye to DCHS will be difficult Friday night, Sprague said she will always cherish the memories.

“It is definitely going to be a special moment for all of us. I cherish every moment I have had with the underclassmen and people in my graduating class,” said Sprague.

May 10, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The administration at DCHS is pleased to announce the addition of a new bronze Tiger statue at the entrance of the school donated by Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.

“We would like to recognize Love-Cantrell Funeral Home for their kind donation of the new bronze Tiger. It is placed in the front of the school and beautifies the entrance to the school. The old Tiger is not gone. It is being refurbished and will be used at another location at the school.,” said DCHS Principal Bruce Curtis.

May 10, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Scholarships and other awards will be presented to members of the Class of 2022 at DeKalb County High School during the annual Senior Awards program Tuesday night, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the DCHS gymnasium.

(Click link below to view DCHS Class of 2022 photo gallery)

https://www.wjle.com/graduation-3/

Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations will make the presentations.

Meanwhile, graduation for the DCHS Class of 2022 will be Friday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.

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