Six ERAU Dual Enrollment students are celebrating two graduations this year. Each of these exceptional students shares the honor of graduating from high school while also earning their associate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. This is the largest group of students to graduate with an associate degree in the history of the ERAU Dual Enrollment program.

Each student participated in Georgia’s State-Funded Dual Enrollment program, allowing them to take college-level coursework for credit towards high school graduation or home study completion.

Georgia’s Dual Enrollment Program allows qualified high school students to maximize their education and career training by taking college-level courses. The program is available to students at a participating high school or home study program in Georgia with no cost for tuition or books.

These graduates have worked tremendously hard over the last few years to earn their degrees. Their hard work and commitment to excellence will provide them with a significant advantage moving forward into the next phase of their lives. Congratulations to each of these remarkable students!

Nina Chambliss – South Cobb High School

Nina Chambliss always had a passion for Engineering. That passion ultimately led her to the ERAU Dual Enrollment program, where she was able to take enough courses to earn an A.S. in Engineering Fundamentals. In addition to taking college-level courses in high school through dual enrollment, Nina also enjoyed participating in several extra-curricular activities and clubs. She played tennis and was a member of the BETA Club, Spanish Honor Society, and Student Government. Nina also served as Co-Editor of her high school yearbook. This Fall, Nina plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she will major in Civil Engineering.

Harrison Curry – Georgia Cyber Academy

From an early age, Harrison Curry developed a love for learning. Upon entering the Georgia Cyber Academy in first grade, he was placed into the Advanced Learners Program, which allowed him to take coursework above grade level. At the age of 12, Harrison attended his first airshow with his Mom, Ange’Lia. At that moment, he had the dream of learning to fly and one day becoming a pilot. From there, Ange’Lia began helping Harrison find opportunities to help him achieve his goals. He joined the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 690, which has one of the most extensive youth programs in the country. Through EAA, Harrison discovered the ERAU Dual Enrollment Program and, over the last few years, has taken enough credits to earn an A.S. in Aeronautics. He plans to attend the Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus this Fall and continue in pursuit of his dream to one-day becoming a pilot.

Gabriela Hand – Homeschooled

Gabriela Hand enjoys flying because it gives her the opportunity to see things from a higher perspective. She found her passion for flying during a flight with a female pilot. During that flight she watched the pilot perform maneuvers that truly inspired her to one day do the same. At 14, she joined the Chandler Field Youth Aviation Program, where she helped restore vintage aircraft in exchange for flying lessons. She began taking college-level courses through the ERAU Dual Enrollment program during her sophomore year of high school. As a member of the ERAU Dual Enrollment program, she earned an A.S. in Aeronautics with a 4.0 GPA. Outside of school, Gabriela has volunteered for several organizations, including the National Flight Academy during Girls Aviation Day events. She is also a second-degree black belt in karate and has developed a self-defense program for children. This Fall, Gabriela will attend the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 2024.

Kegan Martindale-Hernandez – Hillgrove High School

Kegan Martindale-Hernandez has been dreaming of a career as a pilot since he was 5 years old. From building planes out of legos as a child to researching flight dynamics as a teenager, he has always been fascinated by planes. Finding the ERAU Dual Enrollment program during his sophomore year was a dream come true for Kegan. Taking college-level courses in aeronautics was the first step towards accomplishing his goals. At 17 years old, he has completed that step by earning his A.S. in Aeronautics. On May 1st, Kegan began training to earn his Pilot’s License through Faithful Guardian Training Center, and he plans to attend Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus in the Fall to complete his Bachelor’s degree.

Sheridan Perry – Homeschooled

Sheridan Perry has always been a high achiever. His parents, both educators, noticed he was gifted at an early age. Sheridan sees patterns in the world, and this makes complex mathematics easy for him to grasp.  This pattern recognition is also useful in music, especially when learning difficult piano pieces. He has performed pieces by Joplin, Mozart, and other classical composers.  Sheridan teaches piano lessons and tutors high school and college students in various subjects through personal sessions or online with Chegg. He has also performed in dramatic plays and he earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 8. Sheridan began taking college-level courses through the ERAU Dual Enrollment program when he was in 9th grade. As a Dual Enrollment student, he earned an A.S. in Engineering Fundamentals. This Fall, Sheridan will attend the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach Campus. After college, he aspires to work in aerospace engineering, where he will use his skills to build and maintain aviation systems.

Nicola Ruiz – Mother of Divine Grace School

As a child, Nicola Ruiz learned the value of independence and hard work from her Mom, Silvia. She was raised to seek out and take full advantage of all opportunities. It wasn’t a dream of flying that attracted Nicola to the ERAU Dual Enrollment Program in her sophomore year. For Nicola, it was the opportunity of earning a college degree and the challenge of doing it while attending high school. Taking college-level courses as a Sophomore in high school was challenging, but as Nicola puts it – “The higher the mountain, the prettier the view.” While taking ERAU courses, Nicola discovered an ardent passion for Aerospace, which will forever be her love. She has earned an A.S. in Aeronautics and plans to attend the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach Campus this Fall, knowing that whatever challenges lie ahead, she is better equipped to face them.

The Embry-Riddle Dual Enrollment program is available to students in grades 9-12. To qualify, all students must meet program admissions requirements. Students interested in the ERAU Dual Enrollment Program should contact the ERAU Dual Enrollment Office for more information and available terms.