“Mrs. V never let us slack,” Rachel said. Even when she left Valentine’s watchful eye after graduation, Sanchez took that work ethic with her.
After graduating from Lorain County Early College High School, Rachel went on to study at Lorain County Community College through the University Partnership program, which will give her a degree from Kent State University. Upon graduating, Rachel will be the first in her family to earn a college degree.
Sanchez recalled that she didn’t like her early college high school experience at first. “I went from a huge class to 60 people in early college,” she said. “The same 60 people, every day.” Once they got to know each other, though, she saw the advantages of a small class. “We figured it out quickly, who could help whom. Us, the teachers, the staff — it was a great support system, one of the best things about early college.”
