Early College High School Class of 2025 Reaches Major Milestone
Beaufort County Early College High School (BCECHS) celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025 with a ceremony at Washington High School’s auditorium, honoring 73 students who earned their high school diplomas. Of these graduates, 61 students also completed one or more college credentials through Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC), marking a record for the program.
Graduates who earned college credentials participated in Beaufort CCC’s commencement ceremony on May 8 alongside other early college high school and community college graduates. Students from this year’s class are continuing their journeys at four-year universities, joining the military, or entering the workforce.
Academic Achievements Recognized
At the ceremony, students were recognized with special honors. Graduates wearing gold cords earned a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher, while those wearing white cords completed an associate degree.
Seven students—Johanna Angeles-Vargas, Maya Itzel Carvallo, Yetzibe Juarez De La Cruz, Eli James Lopez, Evelyn Tavera Maqueda, Erik Marquez-Rodriguez, and Heidy Beltran Mendoza—earned three credentials: an Associate in Arts, an Associate in Science, and a Certificate in Community Spanish Interpreter.
Eighteen graduates completed both an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science, and another eight earned an Associate in Arts and a Certificate in Community Spanish Interpreter.
Thirty students earned an Associate in Arts through Beaufort CCC, while Tristan Billingsley received a Diploma in Automotive Systems Technology and Tania Cerino Ricardez earned a Certificate in Automotive Systems Technology.
Nine students were named North Carolina Scholars for achieving unweighted GPAs of 3.5 or higher. Jocelyn Botello-Salazar earned the distinction of Class of 2025 valedictorian.
A Growing Program with Expanding Opportunities
The Class of 2025 included 13 more credentialed graduates than the previous year. Some students who did not complete their college credentials are only a few credits away and plan to return to Beaufort CCC this fall.
BCECHS is part of a broader network of early college partnerships with Columbia Early College High School, Hyde Academy, and Washington County Early College High School. In addition, students at traditional high schools such as Northside, Southside, and Washington High Schools can enroll in college classes tuition-free through the Career and College Promise program.
How Early College Works
Early college high school students begin with two years of high school courses and then transition into full college coursework on the Beaufort CCC campus. The goal for most students is to graduate after five years with a high school diploma and two associate degrees.
Beaufort CCC is proud to support the academic and career goals of its early college high school students and congratulates the Class of 2025 on their remarkable achievements.