Christine Kwahmie finished her classes at Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences early and instead of taking a break, she jumped right into taking classes at Central Piedmont Community College.

As a result, she will graduate high school with an associate’s degree in addition to her diploma. Kwahmie, a very mature young woman, says she dedicated herself to her schoolwork early and even when it was hard, she persevered. 

“I am not going to lie, it has not always been fun,” she said. “But I started working toward my goal, and an associates degree was my goal.” 

For Kwahmie, balancing high school and college life was a challenge made even harder due to the COVID pandemic. 

“Balance was a process I had to learn, and it was really very hard,” she said. 

She took six high school courses her junior year in conjunction with six college classes, all virtually due to virus restrictions. 

“I kept asking myself, why would you want to take 12 classes at the same time? Why, why? Why? But I loved it. I actually passed all of them so it was a fun learning experience overall,” said Kwahmie. 

Hawthorne Counselor Shannon Clark says Kwahmie is an inspiring example. “She exhibits resilience in the face of hardship,” said Clark. 

For those who are getting ready to begin high school and maybe also take college level coursework, she has some advice. “I had the wrong friends,” she said. “I worried about the wrong things.” 

She quickly learned to focus on academics. “You have to put your mind to it and get it done.”

Kwahmie also says to choose the people you surround yourself with carefully. “Choose your friends wisely, and don’t let your GPA fall.”

Now, she’s setting her mind to another goal. “I want to be a neurosurgeon,” she said.

She will attend a four-year-university and start working toward that goal soon.