2011 Graduation

Michael Snell never expected he would be receiving a high school diploma from Pikes Peak Prep and an Associate’s degree from Pikes Peak Community College simultaneously. His intelligence and strong work ethic earned him the honor as the 2011 Pikes Peak Prep Valedictorian.

Michael is a native of Colorado and was born at Memorial Hospital. His parents divorced and he ended up living with his dad who was a self-employed mason. The family had some difficult times that lead to family stress and finally Michael moved in with his mom. Michael joined Pikes Peak Prep four years ago and was able to take college classes and earn dual credits with Pikes Peak Prep. He was the first in his immediate family to get a college degree and other than his mom a high school diploma. Michael explained “I will be graduating college with my Bachelor’s degree by the time I am twenty years old. Not many people have the opportunity to finish early with very little school debt. I am so relieved that I don’t have to worry about student loans since Pikes Peak Prep paid for the tuition, books and transportation through their Middle College Program. It makes it so much easier for me and my family that they didn’t have to worry about paying for my Associate’s Degree.” Michael plans on continuing his education at CSU Pueblo.

Pikes Peak Prep held a small and intimate graduation ceremony at Colorado College. Of the four graduates, two of the students (Kennedy Collier, Anthony Dorner) were able to graduate early by completing all required credits within three years. The other graduate, Quintin Terrell, and Kennedy plan on joining the armed forces. Anthony Dorner will work and continue going to college and Michael Snell will be heading down to CSU Pueblo to continue his education focused on a Computer Information degree.

The ceremony included speakers Walt Glover, Pikes Peak Prep Board President and USOC CFO, Kevin Teasley, GEO (Greater Educational Opportunities) Founder and the principal of Pikes Peak Prep, Dr. Patricia Arnold. Cathy Robbins, Vice President of the El Pomar Foundation was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Her message included some key statistical information:
84% or more are the average earnings a college graduate receives over a high school graduate.

9.7% is the current unemployment rate for high school graduates and 4.5% is the current unemployment rate for college graduates.

$800,000 - $1,000,000 is the difference in lifetime earnings for a college graduate over a high school graduate.

Lower risk of heart disease. There has been a thirty year study of thousands of people that have shown that there is significantly higher rate of blood pressure with high school graduates leading to an increased risk of heart disease.

Ms. Robbins speech reinforced Pikes Peak Prep’s belief in the importance of a strong educational foundation that will lead their students to college.

The ceremony concluded with a reception for the families, friends, staff and graduates that was hosted by Mike Edmonds of Colorado College.