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By Abby Furr

Andrea McLendon, a senior at Stanly Early College (SEC), is preparing to graduate in May from the school’s four-year program with an Associate in Science degree.

McLendon plans to transfer to a four-year university to study chemistry and biology. Her long-term plans include attending medical school to become an OB-GYN.

McLendon has been accepted into eight N.C. universities and awaits confirmation from two others. However, she is still undecided on where to attend in the fall.

McLendon has been offered $200,000 in scholarships. Some of the most notable offers include the Blue & Gold and Chancellor’s Scholarship from UNC Greensboro, Distinguished Merit Scholarship from Wilmington and Pisgah Scholarship from Asheville, along with many other offers.

Along with excelling in academics, McLendon participates in multiple extracurriculars
and balances a part-time job. She has been a member of SEC’s quiz bowl team for the past three years and member of the National Honor Society for the last two years.

McLendon is vice president of Stanly Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society. In her free time, she participates in the EMS Explorers program for students and volunteers with Atrium Health’s VolunTeen program.

When asked about SEC, McLendon says the Early College program has greatly increased
her confidence in her ability to take on college and life. Her personal connections built with staff at SEC and SCC have helped her gain necessary skills to prepare for university and life afterwards.

McLendon is grateful for her experience at SEC.

“I owe my academic success and any future success I may have to the tight-knit support system of peers and staff I gained from the Early College,” she said.

Abby Furr is a Stanly Early College student. She writes about issues involving the school.