2018 QCHS grad earns BCCC degree in one year

Dual enrollment program pays off for Carly Pagano.
Posted on 08/06/2019
Carly Pagano holds her diploma from Bucks County Community College. By Gary Weckselblatt

Carly Pagano managed her high school career in such a way to receive a two-year Associate of Arts Technical Entrepreneurship degree in only one year.

The Quakertown Community High School 2018 graduate is thankful for the dual enrollment program at the Upper Bucks County Technical School that allowed her to pile up college credits and save money as she obtained a degree from Bucks County Community College.

“It is a great feeling of accomplishment and I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity,” Carly said. “Going to community college saved me money and gave me credits that allowed me to get my degree. I certainly encourage it for others. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’ve gone so much farther than I ever expected by doing this.”

According to the BCCC website, “With Dual Enrollment, students can get a head start on college while in high school. Classes are held at participating high schools. These courses are college-level and are preselected by the high school. The classes take place during the school day and are taught by Bucks faculty.”

Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner, superintendent of record for the UBCTS, said “I am thankful to have this partnership with the community college and so grateful for this wonderful opportunity that students like Carly have to improve both their college and career readiness through this program.

“Our students are able to take college courses, whether it’s at the high school or tech school, learn what they need to, and advance in whatever they choose to do very quickly.”

Carly expressed gratitude for the many choices she received as a student in QCSD. “The district definitely gave me a lot of options, and I am really thankful for the tech school program,” she said.

Michael Herrera, assistant director at UBCTS, said “We’re very proud of her and happy for her success. Our career programs offer a wide range of options, and students have an opportunity to grow and develop in their field.”

A former student at Trumbauersville Elementary, Milford, and the Freshmen Center, Carly is continuing her education at BCCC and eventually plans to transfer to Penn State University’s Psychology program. She ultimately plans to merge her entrepreneurial skills with her love of plants and ongoing educational training in psychology to become a horticultural therapist.

With her mom, Kirsten Pagano, an emotional support aide at Strayer Middle School, Carly said her mom’s work made an impact on her. “I got to see how helpful she was to kids,” she said. “I’m going to tie everything together.

“I really enjoyed going to tech school. I learned my way around business classes there. And horticulture is a very natural type of therapy. I’m really excited about my future.”

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at 215-529-2028 or [email protected].
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