This Arizona Teen Got a Whole Bachelor’s Degree Before High School Graduation and We’re Just Sitting Here Like What
Lindsay Martinez is celebrating an exceptional milestone. The teenager just graduated from high school with a bachelor’s degree under her belt. The unusual and incredible feat sets Martinez apart compared to new high school graduates. She thanks her parents for instilling in her the importance of doing the work to get an education to achieve the American Dream.
Lindsay Martinez just graduated high school but she already has her bachelor’s degree
You read that right. The new high school graduate walked the stage after already getting her bachelor’s degree. Martinez was a student at Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center (AAEC) and took advantage of the school’s partnership with South Mountain Community College (SMCC). AAEC offers students concurrent educational opportunities with SMCC and free college tuition.
She maximized her time in school and did the work to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health Science from SMCC. Martinez received her college degree two weeks before she graduated from high school. AAEC is a charter school that offers students a chance to get college credit while in school. This program gives students a chance to maximize their time and get an advantage when they start going to college in earnest.
According to ABC15, almost half of her graduating class earned their Associate in Arts degrees (AA). Martinez is the standout with a four-year degree under her belt before finishing her high school education.
Understandably, she told ABC15 that feels overwhelmed by achieving this rare accomplishment. According to a faculty member interviewed by ABC15, she is the first bachelor’s degree graduate at the high school. She was able to accomplish this by being determined and taking dual enrollment classes and summer classes the entire four years of high school.
She thanks her immigrant parents for giving her the drive and opportunity
Like so many others, Martinez gives all the praise to her parents. As the child of immigrant parents, Martinez saw their sacrifices and thanks them for giving her the drive to push for her dreams.
“My parents have always told me that going on to have a successful career it’s something that they’ve always wanted,” Martinez told ABC15. “But, unfortunately, because they are immigrants, they weren’t able to. So, I’m just thankful for the opportunities that they gave me.”
Martinez’s hard work is paying off. She has already landed a full time job and is hoping to be admitted to Arizona State University to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her success was not easy, as she admits to AAEC. The new graduate sacrificed a lot of her time and her path to this milestone was not always smooth.
“I’ve stumbled many times along this journey, but each setback taught me resilience,” Martinez told AAEC. “If there’s one message I hope to leave with you all, it’s this: failure is not the end—it’s part of the path. What matters most is that you rise every time you fall.”
Big congratulations to all the new graduates this graduation season. May your futures be filled with all of the success you desire.
