Early College ‘super senior’ wins Academic Excellence Award from LCC
By Patrick Holmes
When she was a freshman, Taryn Barnett made a “B” in a math class at Lenoir County Early College High School. While she knew the less-than-best grade wasn’t the end of the world, it did steel her resolve to do better. And that, in a nutshell, is why Taryn, now a few months away from graduation at both Early College and Lenoir Community College, was named by LCC as this year’s winner of the college’s Academic Excellence Award.
The honor, a rarity for a student who has one foot in high school life and the other in college classes, makes Taryn the nominee from LCC for the statewide Academic Excellence Award bestowed by the North Carolina Community College System, which allows one nominee from each of its 58 institutions. The winner will be chosen based on the academic record and a short “success story” essay.
“I was always told by my dad growing up that if I worked hard to make good grades, I could go anywhere and do anything and be successful in life,” Taryn, 18, said in a recent interview. “I’ve always worked really hard at that. I’m a straight-A student and I try to continue to be a straight-A student.”
LCC’s Academic Excellence Award recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, consistency and commitment to personal and educational growth, according to Dr. Jarrett Whelan, Dean of Arts and Sciences and a member of the award’s selection committee. The award cited Taryn’s “exceptional academic performance,” as well as her strong work ethic and dedication to excellence.
“Taryn exemplifies what academic excellence looks like at Lenoir Community College,” Whelan said. “Her discipline, determination and commitment to achieving the highest standards both academically and personally make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.”
Excellent grades figure significantly in Taryn’s continuing quest for the highly lucrative and highly competitive JA Campbell Scholarship to Campbell University, as well as her acceptance to several other universities. But all her considerable energy doesn’t go into academics. While taking five college courses online this semester, she’s working full-time at a local pharmacy and logging a boatload of volunteer hours, particularly at Jackson Heights OFWB Church, where her father, Justin Barnett, is lead pastor.
“I feel like I’m very good at time management,” Taryn said. She’s also not shy about taking her questions to professors during their office hours. “They’re very understanding. I think they see I’m a hard-working student,” she said.
“Taryn is an outstanding student. She is driven to succeed and always produces high quality work,” Early College principal Steve Saint-Amand said. “She is a great ambassador for Early College. I am very proud of Taryn and all her accomplishments.”
Early College was the best fit possible for an in-coming high school freshman looking for small classes and a more direct connection with teachers, according to Taryn, who previously attended Moss Hill Elementary and Woodington Middle.
“All the teachers here have your back. Everyone really wants you to succeed here. It’s a good place for anyone who really wants to put their academics first,” she said.
She is what Early College calls a “super senior,” or fifth-year student, who has used her time to accumulate the credits needed to earn her high school diploma and two associate degrees from Lenoir Community College. She’s looking forward to the independence of college life – after she does a study abroad trip to Europe this summer – and working toward her goal of becoming a lawyer.
But the Academic Excellence Award is, to her, an exceptional parting gift after very fruitful years at Early College and LCC.
“I was very honored and grateful for the opportunity,” Taryn said of her selection. “I feel very seen for the hard work I have put in here.”
Taryn Barnett, a ‘super senior’ at Lenoir County Early College High School, is Lenoir Community College’s pick for its Academic Excellence Award.
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