OGLESBY – Area teens are earning a degree from college and their high school diploma the same year thanks to a unique community college program. This Sunday, Marquette Academy students Evelyn Biggins of Ottawa and Jasmine Mehalic of Streator will earn associates of arts and associates of science degrees from Illinois Valley Community College – while also receiving their high school diplomas.
Mehalic and Biggins participated in “Running Start,” a dual-credit and dual enrollment partnership between IVCC and Marquette that allows students to earn college credit – and even associate degrees – while still in high school.
The pair will graduate from MA and receive their associates at 3 p.m. Sunday at Gould Stadium.
Biggins, daughter of Ed and Becky, was active in volleyball, basketball, softball, track, Fine Arts Club and a member of National Honor Society at Marquette. She is a member of IVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year college students. She will continue her education in criminal justice and forensics.
Mehalic, daughter of Todd and Gretchen, was a member of the Illinois High School Rodeo all four years and was named Miss Illinois High School Rodeo Queen in 2019.
She was a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and showed rabbits throughout high school. Mehalic worked part-time at More of Me Boutique and Dixie’s Pizza, both in Streator. She will transfer to Aurora University to pursue a degree in pre-veterinarian medicine.
IVCC President Jerry Corcoran said, “Established in 2010, Running Start has a great record of success when one takes into account the high percentage of Marquette Academy graduates every year who have earned college credit and are awarded Illinois Articulation Initiative certificates of completion. Several, like Evelyn and Jasmine, receive associate degrees and are ready to move on to junior-level standing at a four-year college or university for a bachelor’s degree.”
With careful oversight by MA and IVCC counselors, students may take classes at Marquette Academy, IVCC’s Ottawa Center and Oglesby campus. Due to the pandemic, a majority of classes were offered online or in a blended format.
Corcoran added, “To merely say I’m proud of the way Marquette Academy and IVCC representatives have worked so well together for more than a decade for the benefit of students would be an understatement.
“Both institutions take pride in meeting the needs of students by offering high-quality programs and services at an affordable price.”
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