Story by: Mike Zitz

The Spring 2024 Germanna Community College commencement ceremony included a nod to the school's growing Early College programs.

Early College offers an academically rigorous challenge for exceptional high school students. Participants work toward their high school diploma and transferable associate degree from Germanna at the same time.

Germanna's commencement speaker, Ava Conway, was awarded an associate degree, summa cum laude. At just 18 years old, she graduates from Eastern View High School with an advanced diploma in Culpeper on May 18. She's in the top ten percent of her class at EVHS and is deciding between three universities as transfer destinations. Conway excelled in the Germanna Scholars Early College program.

Ava Conway delivers her commencement speech at the spring ceremony
Ava delivering her commencement speech at the spring commencement ceremony

Germanna awarded 867 students a total of 1,307 degrees and credentials during the spring commencement held on Tuesday, May 7, at the University of Mary Washington's Anderson Center.    

Conway plans to seek a master's degree in fine arts to become a drama teacher. She’s participated in numerous theatrical productions, including summer shows at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, and has sung with multiple choral ensembles including the Virginia All State Choir. These ensembles have been invited to perform at the Governor's Mansion and Disneyland.  

The Germanna Scholars program is the brainchild of Culpeper businessman Joe Daniel, who wanted students to be able to complete a degree without leaving the county. Daniel and his wife Linda have provided substantial support for the program.

After an unsatisfying experience at a Governor's School for STEM, Conway decided to switch to the Germanna Scholars program at the Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper.

"I knew that I didn’t want to only attend my high school full time, and I wanted the opportunity to get ahead and earn my associate degree before I moved on to a four-year university," Conway said.

I decided to apply to Germanna, and after attending, I realized that it was the change I needed. The faculty and staff showed that they cared for the students and wanted them to succeed. It was good to know that I had people around me whose goal was not to make my classes as difficult as possible, but to help me learn, succeed, and get my degree.
Ava Conway
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Germanna Graduate
Submitted by Patricia Baker (not verified) on Sun, 06/02/2024 - 08:29 Permalink

Congratulations to Ava for all she has already accomplished. The Culpeper Retired Teacher’s Association was proud to select Ava as its scholarship recipient. We can not wait for Ava to receive her teaching credentials and come home to help CCPS to continue to offer outstanding opportunities to their students. Well done Ava!

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