More than 3,000 students are gearing up to take the stage at the Austin Community College District (ACC) spring commencement on May 17, among them is Sapphire Hunter, a standout student who's not just clinching her high school diploma from Manor Early College High School but also an associate degree, according to a recent profile by ACC Newsroom.
Hunter's high school years have been marked by a flurry of activities from serving as parliamentarian of the National Honor Society for two years to being a varsity cheerleader and earning the distinction of a three-time All-American nominee, balancing all this while working through the duties has been challenging and through her enthusiasm for coding and technology she found a calling that crystalized her ambitions, she told ACC Newsroom in a statement. She praised the sense of independence gained at ACC saying, "Feeling like a real college student, spending money at the student culinary mini-cafe, and meeting new people from diverse backgrounds on campus or within my classrooms" were among her favorite experiences.
Asked about her graduation, Hunter expressed a mix of disbelief and eagerness for the next chapter, describing it as "a moment worth the late nights and hard work I put myself through for four years" and "an opening to a new beginning that's incredibly exciting," she said in her interview with ACC. Her time at Early College High School (ECHS) proved pivotal, providing her with the opportunity to study for a certification in Application Development and uncover her potential future career path.
Sharing her thoughts on ECHS she advised prospective students that although it's not the easiest path, it is deeply impactful and will prepare one for future life challenges "with resilience," her efforts in hard work and late nights paid off with more than just academic success, "You’ll make unforgettable memories not only on your high school campus but also on a real-life college campus," Hunter recounted in her ACC Newsroom interview. She extended special thanks to faculty member Meaghan Pike-Dean, who she credits with helping her enhance her writing skills and preparing her for future academic and professional pursuits.
Hunter's ambition reaches beyond her imminent graduation; she is set to attend Northwestern University to study Computer Science and will intern as a Software Engineer at YETI over the summer. Her long-term aspirations include mentoring young girls in STEM, obtaining advanced degrees, and eventually specializing in intellectual property law, she hopes to impact spaces like Formula One or other leading companies with her dual expertise in technology and law, she described her vision to ACC Newsroom.
