Meet Grace Guentzel, Pathways for the Future (2021–2022) Awardee

“I have always known that higher education is important. I remember being in Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) in seventh and eight grade. The program helped me prepare for college. When I was in tenth grade, I was afforded an opportunity to take classes at Arizona State University while completing my high school classes. I am so glad that I did. I really enjoyed the classes which helped me decide to apply for the Pathway for the Future award. I am forever grateful for this new opportunity.

Being a Pathway for the Future award recipient has allowed me to take university-level classes while also completing my high school diploma. The classes have permitted me to experience the rigor of college in a way that I am not able to experience in my high school classes. I have taken classes ranging from engineering to history.  I have enjoyed every single class that I have taken.  My favorite classes so far have been CSE 110 Programming for Everyone: Introduction to Programming and ACC 231 Uses of Accounting Information I, but all of them have been a lot of fun. I also love the fact that I am able to get a head start on my degree.

Taking the classes seemed daunting at first, but there are so many resources available to help you succeed. There is zoom tutoring and discussion boards filled with classmates ready to help. My advice for anyone looking to take a course is to plan ahead. Being organized and making sure you know what is due ahead of time is what has made me successful.”

Applications for the upcoming award are open. Please see the linked flyer for more information and directions on how to apply.