Class of ’22

“I am planning to attend Danville Community College to become a Dental Hygienist. I have always found what my dentist does interesting and seeing him work on teeth made me want to do it. As of right now, I may transfer to either Virginia State or Old Dominion University after my two years at DCC. I am excited and I know it is not a big school, but to me I am excited because it is a new chapter and...

Kennedy Thacker has decided to attend VCU this fall. She will be majoring in kinesiology and going down the physical therapy route. Thacker is an athlete that has been through a few injuries over the years and her physical therapist inspired her to help other athletes. Thacker decided on VCU after seeing how diverse, urban, and open minded the university is. Thacker says, “Coming from a small to...

“I’m going to DCC for a year to study business administration and liberal arts, but I plan on transferring to either Radford or ODU. I’m actually really stressed out about graduating because I know I’ll miss the structure, but I’m excited to be done with high school. After I graduate I just hope to be successful in any way I can be.”

Ava Hipkins will be attending East Carolina University in the fall. She is planning on majoring in nursing and hopefully becoming a travel nurse later down the road. Hipkins has wanted to be a nurse since she was little and even used to make her family members be her patients. She fell in love with ECU after she toured the campus and was really impressed with their nursing program. Hipkins is super excit...

“After I graduate, I plan on going to Liberty University to major in education. I decided to do this because schools are having trouble finding teachers, so they are in high demand. I also plan to major in piano performance. I have a great passion for playing the piano and have been playing since I was a child.” 

“I’ll be going to Virginia Tech to major in aerospace engineering. When I first visited Tech I really enjoyed the atmosphere and I knew I would love it. I’ve been taking engineering classes at AET for the past two years and I really enjoyed those. I’ve always had a huge fascination for space, so I felt that aerospace engineering would be a good fit for me.”

Ella Whitehead has decided to attend Radford University in the fall and will be majoring in nursing. That hasn’t always been the plan for Whitehead though. She originally wanted to go to Virginia Tech, but they didn’t offer nursing. Whitehead also had wanted to be a marine biologist for years before recently deciding to go down the nursing path. This choice was an easy one for Whitehead because ...

“I’m excited, nervous, and scared to graduate! I have loved my high school experience, but I am excited for the future. I plan on attending DCC for my prerequisite classes and then I will apply for the Radiology program at Sovah Health.”  

“I am going to Radford in the fall. I’m majoring in psychology because I want to be a therapist for young adolescents. My goal is to help people that struggle with the same things I do, so they know they are not alone.”

"I’m going to DCC and as of right now I plan on trying to do one year and then apply to a university. If that doesn’t work then I’ll ride it out at DCC for another year. I chose it because it was just the best option for me academic-wise right now and it’s a lot less stressful than trying to move away immediately. I think I want to major in a science field but right now I’m undecided."...

"I plan to continue my job that I already have and add on a few landscaping jobs to save up for college. During the summer, I will be going to soccer camps in an attempt to play collegiate soccer. I will be attending JMU to study engineering and minor in entrepreneurship."

“I’m planning to attend DCC for two years and transfer to Columbia University. I want to major in either graphic design or computer science. I chose this because graphic design is something I am good at and I find computer science very interesting. To prepare I am taking a digital art class.”

Emily Austin will be attending Averett University in the fall to play volleyball for one semester. After her one semester at Averett University, she will begin the Sovah Radiology program beginning in January for 18 months. After Austins 18 months are finished, she will then go back to Averett University to finish out her bachelors degree in radiology. She wants to specialize in Nuclear Medicine within the ...

Macy Mayberry is going to be attending DCC this fall. She plans on taking her prerequisites at DCC and entering their dental hygiene program. The choice to pursue the dental hygiene field was an easy one for Mayberry, it has been her dream job since she was in the 7th grade. Also choosing to stay in the area for college instead of going out of state made the most sense to Mayberry since there was alr...

"I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a little girl. My mom has inspired me so much to be a teacher. Longwood is a great college for education and everybody that I know that has gone there has loved it. I really think I will enjoy being at Longwood and then eventually becoming a teacher!"

“I’m going to Averett University to get my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I decided to go because it's close to home and is known for its nursing program. I'm considering doing labor and delivery as my focus.”

“I’m going to Danville Community College. I’m going to community college instead of some mainstream school because I have no idea what occupation I’d like to pursue. I figured that if I don’t know exactly what I plan on doing, then why spend so much money? Honestly nothing. It took me forever to do Free Application for Federal Student Aids (FAFSA) and I haven’t done a single scholarship, but ...

“I am planning to attend the University of Lynchburg in the fall. Where I plan to pursue a Major in Nursing and a Minor in Spanish. In the future I want to specialize in labor and delivery. I am nervous about Minoring in Spanish, but hopefully I will like learning it as much at college as I do learning it here. I was very excited when I heard that I was going to be awarded as the DAR school winne...

Starting in fall 2022 I’m starting my college classes. I’m starting at DCC then transferring to Averett, my first option was Radford but my plans changed. I’ve decided not to take any years off. I would like to work with special needs students and I’m majoring in special education. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for kids who were born with disabilities, so I want to specialize in that...

"I’m going to Roanoke College because they have a good veterinarian course. I’m studying abroad in Africa this summer to prepare. This program is through Council on International Educational Exchange. I get to study abroad for 3 weeks and learn more about the culture and environment.  I got into this field because I'm interested in the anatomy of animals and the relationship between them. I fi...

"After school during the summer I will be working hard at my job to save up for college. While working I will continue to prepare myself throughout the summer for college. I plan to attend Roanoke College where I will major in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language)."

"I am going to Radford University for all 4 years of college. I plan on majoring in nutrition, so that way I can work in a hospital and plan meals for people. My cousin is a nutritionist, and her passion for it has really interested me and inspired me to pursue a career in nutrition as well. I want to pursue starting my own nutrition business where I can meet with people one-on-one."...

“I will be going to Averett University this fall. I’m going to try to do a double major in criminal justice and psychology. I was motivated because I have always wanted to help catch criminals. After college I want to try to get into behavior analysis with the FBI,” Manzano said.

Megan Gammon will be attending Longwood University in the fall. The size, scenery, and amazing academic programs are what stole Gammon’s heart. She was almost 100% sure that Longwood was the place after her first tour, but didn’t officially commit until attending their open house.  During her first visit to campus she recalls it feeling like home, “I knew I loved Longwood from the start.” Gam...

“I am very excited about attending Auburn University in the fall! I am a little nervous about being roughly 8 hours from home, but I am excited to make new friends and go on new adventures! I will be a nursing major and I plan to become a Nurse Practitioner later on in life. I was inspired to go into nursing by my mother’s experience with a heart attack, and I was assured that was the path for m...

Brittany Terry was accepted into Averett University. She will be majoring in secondary education in order to become a teacher. She works at Modern Pharmacy in Danville, and she plans on working and being with her loved ones this summer before she begins college. “I really just plan to work and spend time with my friends and family,” Terry said.