Greater Latrobe student Sarah Laseski is making academic history. She has accomplished multiple recognized achievements throughout her high school career. She has managed playing on the school’s tennis team, working a part time job outside of school, as well as being one of three students at Latrobe to become a part of National Merit Scholars for her PSAT score, a 1390 out of 1520.
Sarah does not take her academics lightly. Along with these accomplishments, she was able to earn an associates degree from Westmoreland County Community College while still being an upperclassman in high school.
Her efforts clearly demonstrate admirable time management skills. Sarah shares how she was able to manage earning an associates degree while in high school.
“I took my college classes fully online, which gave me the freedom to do my work on my own time. My college deadlines were usually weeks apart, so I put my high school work first, then used my remaining time for college assignments. I did a lot of my college work on weekends,” Sarah says.
Sarah’s work ethic requires a lot of discipline, yet her hard work will pay off in her future. Receiving an associates degree in high school saved Sarah money and time. She explains what this degree will do for her future, Sarah states, “I’ll be able to finish my bachelor’s in 2-3 years instead of 4, which would save me a lot of money. I’m trying to incur as little debt as possible in college because I also plan to attend law school.”
According to Public School Review, only 11% of American high school graduates graduate with a high school diploma and a completed associates degree. In Greater Latrobe history, only one other student managed this task, David An. This makes Sarah the second student at Greater Latrobe to take on this opportunity. David An’s accomplishment portrays him as a role model for other students to challenge themselves academically. Sarah shares how he sparked inspiration for her to achieve this. “David An gave me the idea. I’m eager to enter the workforce, so when I realized there was a way for me to graduate college sooner, I dove at the opportunity,” Sarah says.
While Sarah put undeniable effort into this achievement, she could not have done it alone. Balancing high school and college classes is made easier with helpful faculty and a support system of family and friends. She expresses her gratitude for the supportive people in her life throughout this process, “My family helped me pay for my classes, and they were very understanding anytime I told them I needed time to myself to get work done. I would never have been able to do it without all of their support. My guidance counselors helped me get in touch with WCCC’s administration, then they let me run with it, which I appreciated. When my friends found out what I was doing, they were some of my biggest cheerleaders,” Sarah exclaims.
As Sarah previously mentioned, she plans to attend law school in her future. She took various business and economics classes when earning her associates degree.
“My program required 61 credits. I had to take a variety of business classes, including macro and micro economics, accounting, analytics, and management. A couple of my classes were taken through the high school as dual enrollment,” Sarah says. Completing these courses in high school will give Sarah a head start in college and the workforce.
Undoubtedly, this triumph comes with a large sense of pride and accomplishment. It is a difficult dedication of time, but Sarah succeeded with gratitude and a lesson. She says, “I’m very proud of all the work and time I put in to earn my degree. Now that I’m finished, I’m excited to enjoy the remainder of my senior year and have fun with all my extra time. The biggest things I learned from this experience were time management and how to prioritize well when you’re juggling a lot.”
Sarah’s achievements will not only leave a legacy at Greater Latrobe, she stands as a model for peers and underclassmen, and encourages them to challenge themselves in their work.
