By comparison, Umehira noted, the average community college student takes 41/2 to 51/2 years to earn a two-year degree.
“The foundation that we provide is tremendous,” he said.
Campbell High School senior Amanda Thirion, 18, said she would have been attending her last year of high school part-time because she’s already earned most of the needed credits for her diploma. But participating in the Jump Start program at LCC, she said, will provide her a more productive alternative as she earns credits toward an associate’s degree in health information technology.
“I’m going to medical school, so this will be a jump-start on school and it’s a safe way for me to get comfortable with college,” said Thirion, who will be the first in her immediate family to attend college.
McKinley senior Jewel Clemente, 17, said the Jump Start program motivated her to pursue higher education.
“I just thought after high school I’d forget about school, and I would just get a job,” said Clemente, who is enrolled in LCC’s teaching program.
Waianae High School alumna Kaelynn Waahila, one of 14 students in last year’s LCC cohort of Jump Start seniors, said the experience has been challenging but worthwile.
“I’m in an actual classroom with other adults,” Waahila, 18, said. “I’ll be honest: I broke down some nights because I was trying to manage high school and college.”
She added, “They say that high school prepares you for college, but I don’t really agree with that because high school teachers and administrators treat the kids like kids. I grew up a lot this past year. I was pretty much on my own. I was used to being around my high school friends, but I’m glad I sacrificed that for this, and I’m glad I took this opportunity.”
Waahila is working toward an associate’s degree in teaching and says she plans to study psychology next.
The Jump Start program launched in school year 2011-12 with four pilot high schools — Farrington, Kaimuki, McKinley, and Roosevelt — and two community colleges, Honolulu and Kapiolani.
The project expanded in 2013-14 to Leeward Community College and six Leeward high schools and is looking to expand next year to Kauai Community College.
The nine LCC students add to eight other Jump Start participants enrolled this fall in Honolulu and Kapiolani community college programs. Last year, a total of 23 high school seniors enrolled in Jump Start, up from 10 students the year before.
©2014 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com. Distributed by MCT Information Services
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