Ahead of the Curve: Wylie High Students Earn Associate Degrees Before High School Graduation

In an impressive academic accomplishment, four Wylie High School seniors will graduate from college before they even walk the stage at their high school commencement.

Murtaza Khan, Martha Penaloza and Queenie Liadele Igagamao will receive their associate degrees from Collin College weeks ahead of earning their high school diplomas. The trio accomplished this feat by completing college-level coursework while enrolled in high school.

On April 30, Wylie ISD learned Sophia Esho will also obtain her Associate of Science degree!

Penaloza's Drive Rooted in Family

Penaloza approached advisors with her dream of earning her associate degree, and they recommended that she take concurrent courses, college courses outside of high school, during the summer.

“To be honest, there were times [when] I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Penaloza said. “I continued to take some courses during the fall on Saturdays. Once I made it to my junior year of high school, I began taking the dual-credit courses that I needed for my degree plan.”

She credits her family as the reason why she chose to work hard to earn her Associate of Arts degree while still in high school.

“As a Mexican-American first-generation daughter, I considered it an obligation and made it my goal to give back to my family, especially my parents, for everything they have ever done and given me, without expecting anything in return,” Penaloza said.

She completed five dual-credit courses and earned a certificate in Business Administration along the way. After graduation, she plans to pursue a job that will help pave the way for her ultimate goal—starting her own business and becoming an entrepreneur.

Penaloza strongly encourages other students to take college courses during high school, stating that the experience builds valuable responsibility and time management skills.

“It prepares you not only mentally, but physically for the real world,” she said. “My suggestion is, be patient and do things even if you’re scared. Fear gets you nowhere, and as I like to say, ‘El que no arriesga, no gana,’ which translates to “He who does not risk, does not win.”

Khan Accelerates Medical Dreams with Dual-Credit Success

Khan started taking dual-credit classes in his sophomore year of high school and took an average of three classes per semester, as well as three courses over the summer.

“When I started my journey by enrolling in Collin my sophomore year to take Medical Terminology, I only planned on doing dual credit in hopes of having one year off,” Khan said, “but how my junior year schedule was made enabled me to take 15 credit hours of dual-credit classes at the Collin College - Wylie campus.”

Khan discovered he could audit his academic credits to determine how close he was to earning his associate degree, and found that he was almost halfway done without realizing it. He met with College and Career Counselor Aaron Hinojosa, and together they developed a tedious, but successful plan to earn his Associate of Science in General Sciences.

“During the two-week Maymester going into my senior year, I hit the ground running and haven't stopped since,” Khan said.

He was also able to transfer his advanced placement credits to Collin College.

“I recommend younger students pursue their associate, but only if they start early,” Khan said. “I was extremely late to the party and didn't know if I wanted to earn my associate until the second semester of junior year, and I was forced to take a class each semester to achieve that goal. If I had started earlier, the course load would have been much easier to manage.”

Khan plans to transfer his Collin College credits to Texas State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a Minor in Pre-Medical Sciences.

“I really want to be a physician, and with me being a 2025 Terry Foundation Scholarship recipient, it was the most cost-effective choice for me,” Khan said.

Igagamao’s Persistence Pays Off in Time and Money Saved

By taking nearly 20 dual-credit courses through Collin College, Igagamao not only got a head start on college but also saved time and money along the way.

She began her dual-credit journey sophomore year, taking a single course each semester. By junior year, she picked up the pace, taking two classes per semester, plus a few during summer.

“Senior year was the busiest,” Igagamao said. “I took four classes each semester and even squeezed in a wintermester class.”

The hard work paid off, and she now has an Associate of Science and encourages other high school students to follow suit.

“I definitely would recommend taking dual-credit,” she said. “It helps cut off a lot of college credits, and you can transfer it to ANY college, not just in Texas. An associate degree is a big honor, but don’t overwhelm yourself trying to get it.”

Igagamao plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) to major in Biochemistry on a Pre-Med track.

“I aim to get into med school and cut off a good portion of my undergrad using this associate degree,” she said. “It was worth saving the money, and I get to graduate earlier than most!”

Earning an associate degree in high school is no small feat, and these three Pirates exemplify what’s possible when determination, support, and opportunity come together. Wylie ISD is committed to helping students find success now that prepares them for what comes next, whether that’s higher education, a career, or another path forward.