Bianca Sanchez 2010 Valedictorian Marlboro County High School

Austin Newell 2010 Valedictorian Lake View High School

Divyesh Patel 2010 Valedictorian Cheraw High School

Area High School Students Excel in NETC’s Dual Enrollment Program
By, NETC Alumna Denise Oliver

High school students from Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon counties have excelled in the dual enrollment program at Northeastern Technical College during the past year.  More than 170 high school students were enrolled in more than 250 courses and included many of this year’s high school valedictorians and salutatorians.

Bianca Sanchez, the 2010 valedictorian at Marlboro County High School, took dual enrollment classes at her high school, as well as the NETC community campus in Bennettsville, earning 13 credit hours which are all transferring to the College of Charleston.

“I’ve wanted to be valedictorian since middle school and it was a close race this year,” she said. “But I worked hard to earn good grades and feel my experience at NETC helped me to achieve this goal while also helping me to feel more prepared for college.”  

Sanchez feels she will start college ahead of her peers because the dual enrollment program gave her an opportunity to prepare for college by being in college. 

Austin Newell, the valedictorian at Lake View High School, agrees.

“I feel more confident and know I will excel in college because NETC helped give me insight into college life and this was a wonderful opportunity to have,” he said.  “The dual enrollment program helped me get the extra edge I needed to raise my GPA and earn my spot as valedictorian.”

For Cheraw High School valedictorian, Divyesh Patel, taking 9 credit hours was an easy choice.

“I wanted to take a few English courses to be better prepared for college. The smaller class sizes and the lower cost were added benefits,” he said.   “For juniors and seniors who want to get ahead in college and have the desire to learn, I definitely recommend the dual enrollment program.”

Other area high school valedictorians and salutatorians enrolled in the NETC dual enrollment program this past year include Cheraw High School salutatorian, Aakash Patel; McBee High School valedictorian, Calin Jowers, and salutatorian, Taylor Smith; Chesterfield High School salutatorian, Whitney Hancock; and Marlboro County High School salutatorian, Cristin Langley.

 “These students have really worked hard and we are proud of their success,” said Valerie Gargiulo, dual enrollment coordinator at NETC. “We are also proud to recognize the accomplishments of eight dual enrollment Mechatronics students at Cheraw High School who earned the Manufacturing Systems Technology Certificate this year. The skills those students have learned and are now able to apply will certainly take them far along the  pathway they choose.”

NETC’s partnership with the administration and counselors at high schools in Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon counties makes it easy for juniors and seniors to take college courses that will count towards their diploma requirements and at the same time, count as college credits. Statewide transfer courses are regularly offered for dual enrollment and the credits are transferrable to any public two or four-year college in SC.

Gargiulo also said that dual enrollment courses are not just for academically gifted students. With permission from their high school principals, any junior or senior in high school who would like to take classes at NETC toward a high school diploma and college credit can do so.

In the dual enrollment program, students can earn 3-24 credit hours while in high school. Students who take six hours per semester may even qualify for Lottery Tuition Assistance, which will decrease costs even more.

“One of the greatest benefits to both the students and parents who participate in the dual enrollment program is the quality education offered at a reasonable price,” said Dr. Ron Bartley, president of NETC. “Students are preparing for college by being in college, and parents are benefiting from the lower cost associated with tuition at Northeastern Technical College.”

Compared to the cost of being a full time student at one of South Carolina’s public or private colleges or universities, NETC is more than $2000 less per semester. The $25 application fee is also waived for high school students applying for the dual enrollment program, Bartley added.

For more information about the dual enrollment program at Northeastern Technical College call Valerie Gargiulo, dual enrollment coordinator at 843-921-6995 or talk to a local high school guidance counselor.

Northeastern Technical College is now enrolling for Fall semester.  The application deadline is July 28. Fall semester classes begin on August 16.  To apply visit one of the NETC campuses in Pageland, Cheraw, Bennettsville or Dillon, or apply online by visiting the Admission page and clicking on "Apply Now" before July 28.