It takes considerable effort to be any one of a family farmer, a cheerleading captain, a valedictorian, an active highschooler, a collegian and an aspiring nurse anesthetist — let alone cobbled together into a packed calendar.
Todd County Central’s Madison Harrison, however, was determined to juggle it all.
And so, she did.
Friday afternoon at the Thomas L. Riley Lecture Hall in Hopkinsville, she became the first-ever Rebel to walk the stage as an Early College graduate through Hopkinsville Community College’s elite bridging program — setting a true standard for the meaning behind student-athlete.
Dr. Chris Boyett, HCC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, explained what’s fast becoming a popular option for south western Kentucky’s best and brightest.
Harrison, meanwhile, noted she didn’t appear on Todd County Central’s campus until the afternoons — spending most of her mornings taking in-person and online courses through HCC.
Her goal: an associate in arts and an associate in science, so she could have full admittance into Murray State University’s nursing program this upcoming fall. It’s a place she fell in love with this past summer after attending the Governor’s Scholars Program, and it’s where her mother and grandmother attended there — meaning it’s “a place that feels like home.”
While at MSU, she wants to cheer for Racer Athletics while working toward her BSN, and from there, she plans to complete one year of ICU before returning to Murray for her doctorate.
Friday, May 16, she walks the stage again — her second time in as many weeks — alongside high-school friends and teammates and as the school’s top overall, English and math student.
When she has spare time, she helps her parents roll fescue and orchard grass hay, and that’s something she plans to continue doing even after beginning round two of college courses.
During Friday’s ceremonies, outgoing Todd County Schools Superintendent Mark Thomas was in attendance — checking in on Harrison and her family throughout.
Harrison said it didn’t go unnoticed.
As Todd County’s first completer, Harrison noted that she feels like a good example of what HCC’s Early College Graduation Program should be.
She has no problem shepherding others through the challenge, and hopes students on the fence about it reach out to her for advice.
She confirmed that it was her choice, and not someone else’s, to manage 19 credit hours this past semester, and that, yes, she does find time to sleep. After dual credit classes her sophomore year, she said she was inspired to test her limits — and see what she could do in advance.
After these celebrations, she will have but brief respite because while she was HCC, she also managed to complete certification for nurse’s aide — meaning she’s already on the lookout for that first job in the field.
