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Featured Photo: Seven East Henderson High School students will graduate from Blue Ridge Community College two weeks before their high school graduation. Pictured from left to right: Donovan Buddo, Tristan Rutterford, Davis Harvey, Julia Trollinger, Ryah McDonald, Cora Marshall, and Tyler Hill. (Photo by: Rich Keen.)
By: Benjamin Rickert, Marketing & Communications Dept.
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — This spring, seven East Henderson High School (EHHS) students will graduate with both a high school diploma and a tuition-free associate degree from Blue Ridge Community College. The achievement reflects a combination of student determination, strong school partnerships, and the College’s highly supported Career and College Promise (CCP) pathways.
The EHHS students—Donovan Buddo, Davis Harvey, Tyler Hill, Cora Marshall, Ryah McDonald, Tristan Rutterford, and Julia Trollinger—will receive their college degrees from Blue Ridge on May 9, 2026, nearly two weeks before their May 22 high school graduation. At Blue Ridge’s ceremony, Harvey, Hill, Marshall and Trollinger will wear special cords recognizing their participation in the Blue Ridge Scholars program, a cohort-based pathway that allows juniors and seniors to learn from college instructors on their high school campuses.
“As a career coach, I could not be prouder of the accomplishments of these seven East Henderson High School students,” said Blue Ridge’s Kate Stucke, who serves as a career coach for EHHS students. “Obtaining an associate degree while completing high school is rare and truly something to celebrate.”
She noted that many of the students balanced rigorous academics with athletics, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs and volunteer service, demonstrating “an impressive amount of initiative, time management, and determination.” She added that, in most years, only one or two high school students across Henderson County earn an associate degree, underscoring the significance of this year’s group.
Career and College Promise provides students with access to tuition-free college courses while they are still in high school. At Blue Ridge, that access is paired with structured academic pathways, proactive advising, and close collaboration with Henderson and Transylvania County school systems. Together, these efforts help students earn college credit, build advanced academic knowledge, and develop transferable skills that support success at a four-year institution or in the workforce.
That value is increasingly recognized as part of a broader workforce strategy. In a recent article, Blue Ridge President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood noted that students who begin at a community college and then transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree can save an estimated $50,000 to $80,000. She emphasized that expanding access to these pathways not only reduces financial barriers, but also helps students move more efficiently into high-demand careers while strengthening their communities. The College has also highlighted how CCP expands access to higher education and builds early momentum toward clearly defined academic and career goals.
As CCP participation continues to grow locally and across North Carolina, students like these demonstrate what is possible when access is paired with strong institutional support. By graduating high school with college credentials already in hand, they are saving time and money while positioning themselves—and their communities—for long-term success.
“I am excited to see how these students continue to positively impact their communities and the lives of others,” Stucke said.
For more information about Career and College Promise at Blue Ridge Community College, families may visit www.blueridge.edu/CCP. Information about Blue Ridge’s Transfer and Guaranteed Admissions pathways are available at www.blueridge.edu/transfer.
The College is currently enrolling for the summer and fall semesters, with admissions information online at www.blueridge.edu/admissions.
Blue Ridge Community College Graduate Highlights
Donovan Buddo
Associate in Arts, College Transfer
Donovan Buddo will attend North Carolina State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He said participating in CCP connected him with new people and introduced him to college-level learning environments he would not have otherwise experienced, helping prepare him for the rigor ahead. Buddo shared a personal long-term goal of starting a family.
Davis Harvey
Associate in Arts, College Transfer
Davis Harvey plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study applied sciences, with the goal of becoming an environmental engineer to address public health challenges. He said CCP opened new opportunities and provided a significant head start by allowing him to earn credits that will accelerate degree completion and entry into the workforce.
Tyler Hill
Associate in Arts, College Transfer
Tyler Hill will attend the University of North Carolina Wilmington to study exercise science, with plans to pursue a career in physical therapy or personal training. He said his CCP experience reinforced the importance of planning, responsibility, and proactivity—skills that will support his continued education and career ambitions. Hill also hopes to travel widely and possibly open his own gym in the future.
Cora Marshall
Associate in Arts, College Transfer
Cora Marshall plans to attend the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she will study marine biology with a focus on research and microorganisms. She hopes to build a career studying ocean life and the impacts of pollution around the world. Marshall said CCP helped her get ahead academically, reducing both the time and cost of college while preparing her for more rigorous coursework and allowing her to focus more directly on her major.
Ryah McDonald
Associate in Arts, College Transfer
Ryah McDonald will continue her education at Blue Ridge Community College, pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing before entering the workforce and later completing her bachelor’s degree. Her long-term goals include becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist, serving patients in Henderson County, and eventually teaching future nursing students. McDonald said CCP had a tremendous impact on her, noting that completing her degree strengthened her time management and organizational skills. She encourages other students to take advantage of dual enrollment opportunities whenever possible.
Tristan Rutterford
Associate in Science, College Transfer
Tristan Rutterford plans to attend Louisiana State University to major in mechanical engineering, with long-term goals of earning a master’s degree and gaining hands-on experience through internships. He said CCP helped him achieve his goal of completing as many college credits as possible before graduating high school, saving money and easing his transition into college. He also credited supportive professors, peers, and advisors for helping guide his success.
Julia Trollinger
Associate in Arts, College Transfer
Julia Trollinger will attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to major in animal science, with aspirations to conduct research that improves feed efficiency and genetics in cattle to support American agriculture. She said CCP helped her stay focused on her goals and accelerate her progress, providing a clear pathway toward achieving her academic and professional ambitions.