Gold Beach graduate completes high school and college at the same time
Giada Champlain will graduate this June from Gold Beach High School. She will also graduate at the same time with an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree from Southwestern, achieving a first-ever accomplishment for a Curry County student. She did it by simultaneously taking a combination of “free” dual credit classes through her high school and online at Southwestern.
“My time at Southwestern has been an amazing experience. I’ve learned so much from all of the amazing teachers I’ve had, and I know that I’ll be able to take those lessons with me to university, medical school, and eventually, to the workplace,” she said.
Giada plans to go to Oregon State University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. From there, she wants to go to medical school to become a surgeon or cardiologist. “Getting my degree early has not only saved me time and money, but has also helped me to grow in my communication skills, academic performance, and personal growth,” she said.
Champlain got a lot of support from many advisors and other staff at SWOCC. They help high school students navigate the completion of their degrees and think about careers.
“My best advice for other students is to aim high, push through the hard times, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. If you have ambitious goals, there will always be times when you feel like giving up, but if you push through with confidence in yourself, you can turn your dreams into your reality!” Gaida said.
