April 1, 2012
Westside Senior to Enter College This Fall with Sophomore Status By Lisa Garrett | Tri-County Technical College It’s 96 days and counting until Lauren McCall works. I’ve developed my listening skills,” she said. graduates from Westside High School and will She can’t say enough about English instructor Art Scheck, Rachael Madeline, her art be heading off to film school this fall to pursue a instructor, and Butch Merritt, who teaches photography. “They are so knowledgeable longtime goal of becoming a cinematographer. about their subject matter. The classes have been so enlightening. Tri-County’s small class She has received acceptance letters from size and one-on-one time with instructors really make the difference.” Savannah College of Art and Design and from the She took the art class to better prepare herself for filmmaking. “In class I’ve learned how University of South Carolina and is waiting to hear to constructively critique my own work, as well as others. It’s a cool feeling to have people from the Los Angeles Film School and School of see the world the way you see it.” Visual Arts of New York City. Because she elected to “Lauren is one of those special students who has set goals for herself and has established take dual enrollment classes at Tri-County Technical an action plan to reach those goals,” said Merritt, who is a career counselor at the Anderson College’s Anderson Campus, through Westside’s Campus, in addition to teaching photography classes. “As a career counselor for many pilot Westside Early College Academy (WECA), years, I have been extremely impressed with her personal/professional vision for the she will enter college future. I am convinced she will achieve great this fall with at least things. Taking college courses while still 21 college credits enrolled in high school is just one of the many and a sophomore resources that she uses as an advantage. The status. “It’s a pretty opportunities are available and I recommend cool feeling,” said all students utilize what they can. There is an McCall, who has old proverb, ‘If you don’t know where you are taken English 101 and going, you will probably end up somewhere 102, Public Speaking else’s. Lauren knows where she is headed and and Art 101 and is there is no limit of what she will accomplish.” currently enrolled in “My mom always told me if I want to pursue Math 120 and Art 111. a career as a filmmaker, I have to find ways to The Secondary stand out,” she said. Since she was in the ninth Transition Enrollment grade, McCall has worked with Creative Video Program (STEP), Production in Williamston producing videos also called dual and DVDs of community events. Recently she enrollment, allows launched her own website, laurenmccallmedia. qualifying high com, which features her photography, school students the videography and music videos. opportunity to gain This past July she placed first in a national Lauren McCall taking STEPs to become cinematographer. high school and competition sponsored by the International college credits at the Pentecostal Holiness Church. She also same time by taking produced a video for Robert Bosch’s anniversary college-level courses in their high schools or career celebration which the company singled out as the best and has shown in its plants. “My dad centers, as well as on Tri-County’s campuses or works at Bosch and the company had a contest among its associates and their families to online. produce a video about what Bosch does for their family. It helps my dad pay for my dream STEP participants must prove they are ready for – attending film school.” college-level work, obtain permission from their high “I was so surprised when I learned that Lauren is a dual enrollment student because of schools, and meet certain criteria, such as passing her maturity and diligence,” said Madeline, who currently teaches a studio art class McCall the COMPASS placement test for English and math. is taking. “She has excelled in every project and test. Her motivation and her creative drive Most school districts also award dual credit so the will take her far. She will be an excellent filmmaker.” courses can count toward graduation requirements. Students who take two or more courses in the same semester qualify for lottery tuition assistance, added Blanton. The classes are offered at the request of the high The vision for a campus convenient to the Anderson County community became a reality when Tri-County schools and include English, mathematics, speech, Technical College’s second campus opened its doors March 1, 2007. Located near the intersection of general psychology, sociology, history, American Standridge Road and Michelin Boulevard, the Anderson Campus has general classrooms for both credit and government, and economics. non-credit programs, computer and science labs, conference rooms, culinary arts facilities and more. “My credits at Tri-County will easily transfer to The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science programs are offered in their entirety, along with criminal any of the colleges I’ve applied to,” said McCall, an justice, early childhood development. administrative office technology, with culinary arts coming this fall. honor student at Westside. “It also lifts some of the President Ronnie Booth said that making college accessible, available and affordable to residents across the tri-county region remains a priority. The College has addressed the diverse needs of individuals by financial burden of paying for college.” opening campuses in Anderson, Seneca, and Easley and by expanding online and evening offerings–in She says her time spent as a Tri-County student short, finding new and different ways to meet individuals’ needs and schedules has been a meaningful experience. “I’ve learned about college atmosphere and how it
Anderson Campus Offers Accessible Programs
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