May 12, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
It’s official!
Trey Fuston, a senior at DeKalb County High School, is now a college graduate. He will get his high school diploma this week.
For two years Fuston, son of Tony Fuston and Angie Fuston, has been working toward an Associates of Science degree from Motlow State Community College and on Sunday, May 5th he walked the line in a Motlow commencement ceremony at MTSU in Murfreesboro, twelve days before his high school graduation on Friday night, May 17.
Through Motlow College’s dual enrollment program, high school students like Fuston can earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Students can take classes on a Motlow College campus, online, or even at a partner high school like DCHS.
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.
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“I started doing my first dual enrollment classes the summer between my sophomore year and junior year. I took two classes then and gradually went on to do more my junior and senior year. I figured it would be a good idea to try and get my associates degree before I graduate because it would give me a jump start in college and cost less in tuition fees in the future. It gave me an opportunity to go through it quicker and get things done faster,” said Fuston.
With two years of college already under his belt, Fuston will have a head start when he enrolls at UT-Knoxville this fall with a dream of one day becoming an attorney.
“I am majoring in law so after I finish the last two years of college I’ll be going to law school. I’m not sure where that will be yet. I know UT-Knoxville has a law program so I may be going there,” he said.
Fuston expects to receive the Volunteer scholarship, which is for $5,000 per year and he may be in line for others as well.
He said his experience in the dual enrollment program at DCHS has been rewarding and he would recommend it to other college bound students.
“For anybody else who would like to try to do this I think it’s a great idea and a wonderful way to further your education. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks they can do it,” he said.
Fuston is President of the DCHS Class of 2019. He was also the Junior Class President. Fuston has been a member of the FBLA club for four years and the BETA club his junior and senior years. Fuston is a member of the ACT 29+ club and among the Class of 2019’s top rank students.
As Class President, Fuston will deliver a speech during the high school commencement and while he is excited and looking forward to the moment, he might get a little emotional.
“You might see my emotions come out but my high school years have been great. I don’t think I will ever forget the memories I have made here with my friends. I have had a lot of fun times. I really think I’ll miss it,” said Fuston.