Local middle school student set to graduate college
Andrea Turisk
SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – It’s not everyday a middle school student walks across the stage at a college graduation, before she even starts high school, but that’s exactly what one 14-year-old is doing.
Darianna Castillo isn’t just finishing eighth grade at southwest junior high, she’s also completing a two-year associate’s degree from Arizona Western College (AWC), becoming the youngest student in her district to complete this milestone.
At just 14-years-old, Castillo is doing something most students don’t even consider — graduating from college. Through the Gadsden School District’s early college program, she earned 64 credits and a full Associate’s Degree before starting high school.
Castillo says, “When Mr. Chavez offered me to take my first course, Math 81, I felt inspired to do it. Not exactly that is was a duty of mine to do but more or less because I knew that I could do it.”
Southwest Junior High Principal Luis Reyes says by fostering an environment where students can feel supported, they can excel just like Darianna.
“I think a lot of our students will look up to her and say ‘Can I do this?’ and we have the tools and the resources for them to achieve that,” Principal Reyes expressed.
And while she’s getting her degree early, Castillo says she’s just getting started stating, “I’d like to enroll in university once I get to high school. Maybe get another Associate’s Degree.”
Castillo’s accomplishments are already inspiring others across the district and school leaders say they hope students follow in her footsteps.