Raider sophomore earns spot in STEM magnet school

By Ashley-Michelle Thublin
Richmond County Schools   

ROCKINGHAM — Summer vacation’s more than a month away, but Richmond Senior High School’s Amanda Chriscoe is already anxiously awaiting the start of the 2015-2016 School Year.

Beginning this Fall, the rising junior will be dual enrolled, pairing four Richmond Senior High School courses with one online class from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

Amanda Chriscoe

Amanda Chriscoe

Located in Durham, the statewide magnet school focuses on the intensive study of science, mathematics and technology. High school sophomores from across the State applied for the two-year program, with Chriscoe being one of only 163 accepted for their online curriculum.

“I didn’t think I would get in because it’s so prestigious,” Amanda said. “I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m really looking forward to learning new materials.”

In order to be considered, Chriscoe had to submit several faculty recommendations, her SAT scores and a copy of her transcript as well as write 16 essays.

“If the application process is any indication of the classwork I can come to expect, the online courses will certainly be rigorous and concentrated,” she said. “But, I think in the end it’s going to be very beneficial.”

After graduating with the Class of 2017, Chriscoe plans to pursue a degree in the medical field. Because so many college courses are a hybrid of both online and classroom instruction, she believes the NCSSM opportunity will give her quite the jumpstart.

“I’ll be graduating from two high schools instead of just one,” Amanda said. “And, since NCSSM is a STEM school, admission boards will automatically see that I have an intellect for both math and science.”

But Chriscoe doesn’t want to be the only one to benefit from the dual enrollment.

“I’m hoping that as the years go by more Richmond students will want to learn more about it and actually apply to take classes,” she said. “They’ll see that if another Richmond student can get in they can too.”

The North Carolina School of Science and Math allows each online student to take up to two courses per semester. For the Fall of 2016, Chriscoe has selected to take Honors-Forensic Science.

When Chriscoe isn’t hitting the books, she’s actively involved in Richmond Senior High School’s Health Occupations Students of America Club and Fellowship of Christian Students. Additionally, she serves as the sophomore secretary for Beta Club.

Filed in: Latest Headlines

You might like:

M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win
Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel
Application period open for club sponsorship Application period open for club sponsorship
S. Farris wins Player of the Year S. Farris wins Player of the Year
  • Christian Conservative

    Awesome example of a Christian student and awesome young woman!

© 2024 AlleganyPlayground.com. All rights reserved. XHTML / CSS Valid.