San Bernardino fourth grader becomes dual‑enrolled college student
By Ashley Mackey
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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) — A fourth grader at Kimbark Elementary School is making local history as a dual-enrollment student at San Bernardino Valley College.
Like many other fourth graders, 10-year-old Honey Cooper has dreams of being an artist, a fashion designer or even a surgeon. But unlike her peers, Honey is already making history by also being enrolled in college.
“I go to Kimbark Elementary School and Valley College,” Honey said.
Kimbark Elementary Principal Brittany Zuniga said Honey’s achievement is opening doors for other young students.
“It’s extremely rare. And so what I love about Honey doing this and starting this is she’s paving the way. She’s opening the doors for everybody else, because I think so many of us didn’t even think that this was a possibility, didn’t even think that it was something that could be done — an elementary student enrolling dually in college,” Zuniga said.
Honey hopes her experience inspires others.
“This can help kids, parents and even teachers to help, so anyone can do what I’m doing right now,” she said.
Outside of academics, Honey participates in theater, enjoys reading and spends time with friends and family. Her mother, Mia Cooper, said balancing schoolwork with personal time is very important.
“We don’t allow phone screen time at our home. It’s very limited. So maybe she’s not the average fourth grader when it comes to that. Spending time with her friends is very important, because you have to work on that social skill,” she said.
Honey says the support of her family has been her biggest motivator.
“They always encourage me to try my best and always keep doing what you’re doing. And I think that really helped me, because that way I always remember the quotes and make sure to never give up on what I’m doing. And now that I never gave up on my dream, I am now here, right now, being a college student and an elementary student,” she said.
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