Spring graduates include 35 dual enrollment students
Kayla Kerr will don a cap and gown and graduate from Palm Beach State College with her Associate in Arts degree —one week before graduating from Wellington High School.
The aspiring forensic pathologist is among 35 dual enrollment students – the highest number ever – who will receive their A.A. transfer degree this spring. Among the group are students from Lake Worth, Clewiston, Palm Beach Gardens, William T. Dwyer, Seminole Ridge, Jupiter, John I. Leonard, Park Vista, Forest Hill and Pahokee Middle-Senior high schools.
“My original goal wasn’t to get an A.A. I was just trying to knock some classes out. I ended up taking so many that I finished my A.A. degree,’’ said Kerr, who has been accepted into the Honors College at the University of South Florida to pursue a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. She then plans to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at other universities.
At Wellington High School, Kerr, who was in the Equine/Pre-Veterinary Program and involved in about 10 clubs and organizations. She also interned on Fridays at Planco Veterinary Care and worked two part-time jobs. She did all of that while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average at PBSC as well as a 4.0 GPA and 5.13 HPA at Wellington High. She took Advanced Placement and Advanced International Certificate of Education classes that helped her garner enough college credits to complete her degree.
“I’ve always been determined and focused, and I’ve always put my academics first,’’ she said. The oldest of two children, she said her parents also pushed education. “I was able to read at two,’’ she said. “They would always read to me when I was younger. They’ve always pushed me to go above and beyond.”
PBSC will hold two commencement ceremonies May 9 at the South Florida Fair Expo Center. There will be a 9:30 a.m. ceremony for the combined 1,383 graduates of the Associate in Science, Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs and the certificate programs. There will be a 2 p.m. ceremony for the 1,839 graduates of the Associate in Arts transfer degree. The ceremonies will be streamed live at www.palmbeachstate.edu.
Congratulation Kayla… what an awesome accomplishment!!!
I am so proud of my student who has a great potential in medical field. She has a strong ability to recall information.
Congratulations Kayla on such a remarkable accomplishment.
Congratulations Kayla on such a great accomplishment. I have watched you grow-up and seen your determined spirit and I know you will go far doing great things.
Congratulations!!! Thanks be to God!!! I do not words enough to say how extremely proud I am of you. Congrats also to the parents. Kayla keep focus, keep up the good work.💕 Aunt Blos.
Wow, Kayla! Congratulations!!!! What an example you are to so many young people. May God bless and keep you in His care.
Congratulations Kayla and thanks for representing God, your parents, family, community, church and yourself well! Soooo proudvof you!!!
Congratulations Kayla! God is so amazing. Just continue to trust Him and He will continue to see you through your future achievements.
Congratulations Kayla! I am very proud of your achievements. You are truly a remarkable young lady and I’m honored to have met you. Keep doing your best at everything and God will do the rest.
Congratulations Kayla! God has certainly blessed you with an awesome gift. You are empowered to do great things. I am so proud of you!
Congrats Kayla! You did wat you set
Out to do! You are a prime example to your peers that anything you set your mind to do oand put God in the plan you are on the road to success! Job well done!!!! Joseph bethel
Congrats Kayla on such a remarkable acheivement. Girl you did it! May God continue to bless and keep you always.
Wow, wow, wow. Congratulations Kayla. I’m beyond proud of you. I knew you were special, not to mention gorgeous too. May Jehovah God continue to bless you and all your endeavors and bless your parents health and wallets 😆. So proud, so proud.