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News-Journal
Campus News
www.tvccnewsjournal.com May 4, 2012
PINNACLE: A new meaning to success By Kazandra Gutierrez Staff Writer The thought of having teenagers take on the challenge of attending college at the young age of 14 seems impossible for many reasons. For one, people would say that they are too young, and they wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure of college life. Secondly, the classes that they take would be too challenging, and they would end up failing. Fast forward four years. What was thought to be impossible is now possible. PINNACLE is a program that helps young teen students attend college classes while they are also enrolled in high school classes. The program first started in 2008 with a small class of 25. Today, the PINNACLE program currently sums up 203 students, filling up all the grade levels-from 9th to 12th grade. The intention of the program was to take first-generation college students and give them an opportunity to receive college credit at no cost. The program is fully funded through a grant from the Murchison Foundation. The foundation is set up in memory of Ginger Murchison, a resident who died. The foundation makes many monetary contributions throughout the Athens area. PINNACLE first began as an idea Dr. Fred Hayes had to help students achieve a
Editor-in-Chief Kelly Davis Managing Editor Krista Newman
college education. He introduced the idea to the Murchison Foundation; they liked what the program stood for, giving young students and opportunity to succeed in life, so they decided to fund it. Tony Sikes, an English teacher for PINNACLE, believes that the reason the program has been efficacious for many reasons. The program will have its first graduating class this year. Secondly, students have the opportunity to acquire college hours. “I know PINNACLE has been successful because this is our first year of seniors, and we have a large percentage that will receive an associate degree from TVCC,” Sikes said. And even though not all students will graduate with both their high school diploma and associate degree, they will have gathered many college hours. “Those that will not receive a degree have accumulated a large number of college hours that will motivate them to complete their studies and receive a degree,” Sikes said. PINNACLE first saw success when two students in the program graduated early. Griselda Beltran and Megan Huckabay are currently enrolled at The University of Texas at Tyler. Beltran graduated from the PINNACLE program in the summer of 2011. She was the first students to graduate, opening the door for
the rest of the students. She is currently living in Tyler where she is enrolled in the nursing program at UT-Tyler. Following in Beltran’s footsteps, Huckabay graduated in the fall of 2011, becoming the second student to receive her associate degree and high school diploma, and finishing the PINNACLE program early. Even though Huckabay entered the program a year late, with the help of her teachers--and especially Jamie Ivey, the principal--she managed to accomplish what many thought was impossible. “PINNACLE has given me a head start on my degree,” Huckabay said. “I would give most of my recognition to Mrs. Ivey for pushing me and being a personal support system. “ For two current students, PINNACLE has meant a brighter future with an opportunity to succeed in life. Edgar Leon and Shanika Barrett both saw a chance to become someone in life-like a teacher, engineer, or a doctor--when they heard about PINNACLE. “Pinnacle has helped me think more of about my future,” said Leon. “I know that getting an education will help me get all the luxuries that I want for my family and me.” For Barrett, Pinnacle has meant an opportunity for her future. “Pinnacle has been my foundation for my future life, education and career,” Bar-
rett said. “For me, Pinnacle means a stable future filled with excellent opportunities.” The PINNACLE program has not only changed its students' mentality about school, but also how they approach their school work. “My life has changed a lot, if you ask me,” said Rebecca Valle a student in the program. “I am more on top of my stuff, and I’ve matured a lot in many aspects of my life.” Valle hasn’t been the only one that has been impacted by PINNACLE. Alma Mejia, a sophomore, saw her life come to a complete change when she joined the program. Mejia found that her times of hanging out with friends being replaced with books after she joined PINNACLE. Her decision to join PINNACLE was quite a sacrifice, but in a good way. She has become a completely different person since making that decision. “My life has changed so much since joining PINNACLE,” she said. “I have to focus more on school, so I don’t go out as much anymore.” Students in the program have not been the only ones whose lives have changed; its teachers have also had their fair share of life-changes. Lauren Tilley, a science teacher for PINNACLE students, said that since she has joined the program, her teaching career has grown
in many aspects. “PINNACLE has challenged me to be a better educator,” Tilley said. “I am constantly trying new things to push students in order for them to reach their greatest potential.” She uses more technology in her classes. At the end of the year, she moves on to the next subject so students can get a head start. Yvette LaCombe, a math teacher for PINNACLE, has seen her life blossom in many ways since joining the program. She said she has developed a career that she loves, and it’s rewarding in every possible way. She recently bought a house in Athens that she shares with her dog. Teaching for PINNACLE has been one of the easiest decisions she’s ever made. Students interested in the program can apply their 8th grade year. The process involves filling out an application and answering twoto-hree essay questions. If the student is chosen, then they will receive a letter in the mail. Even though the future for PINNACLE is still not written, Sikes said that it will definitely see more success. “I see the future of PINNACLE expanding to where it can possibly be available to any [Athens Independent School District] student that chooses to participate in the program,” Sikes said.
The TVCC News-Journal is a monthly publication and is produced by the Staff Writers Copy/Graphics Editor Ray Cumby, Kazandra Gutierrez, journalism students at TVCC’s Athens campus. Views expressed in the Renan Zorer Adrian Price, Joshua Roberts, andeditorial section are the opinions of the writers and do not reflect the views of the TVCC administration. The News-Journal welcomes letters Lis Valencia Photo Editor and suggestions. The TVCC News-Journal reserves the right to edit letKelly Davis Production Assistant ters for grammar or length. Letters to the editor can be mailed to 100 Dee Freeman Cardinal Drive, Athens, TX 75751; or e-mailed to journalstaff@tvcc.edu. Sports Editor TBA Student Media Adviser Deidre Jones Web/Entertainment Editor Jake Yarbrough
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