2021 Gordon Graduate Heads to TTU with TWO Degrees Already in Hand
It’s not unusual to see high school students participate in dual credit programs with local colleges. In 2021, it’s not even uncommon to see kids graduate from high school simultaneously with a two-year college degree. What is rare is seeing a young woman so set on her goals, she earns TWO higher education diploma’s before graduating high school.
2021 Gordon High School graduate Sara Jones did just that. Last May, before she walked the stage in her hometown of Gordon to receive her diploma, she snagged an Associate’s of Art as well an Associate’s of Science degree from Ranger Junior College in Cisco.
Jones, the daughter of Ricky and Lou Jones will head to Texas Tech University this month and plans a dual major in marketing and management, as well as a minor in international business.
Jones didn’t just focus on academics in high school. She was on the basketball team, ran track and a member of the National Honor Society. She also enjoys working out, socializing with friends, and traveling.
Jones advises incoming seniors to “soak up every single moment because your senior year will be the quickest, most bittersweet year of high school, and it is over before you know it.”
When Jones started her high school career as a Gordon Longhorn, she set her mark to graduate with an associate’s degree but never expected to exceed her goal.
“The fact that I surpassed that goal showed me that hard work does pay off. All of the times I thought It was too hard and I was just too busy but continued to take steps toward my goal proved to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to, and definitely built character and discipline along the way.
Scholarships she received include the First United Methodist Sewing Circle, Ford Driving Scholarship and the Coletyn King Scholarship.
The best advice Jones said she can offer future graduates is to not wait to apply for scholarships because it can be frustrating and complicated.
“Don’t be scared to ask for help. Don’t try to do it all on your own because there are so many people who will want to help you and it makes everything go so much smoother.”
The future is bright for this former Longhorn, turned Red Raider.
