UNL Independent Study High School grads to gather, watch online

Each year more than 100 students from across the county and around the world earn their high school diploma from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Independent Study High School. A commencement ceremony and reception will be 2 p.m. June 4 at the Nebraska Union, 14th and R streets, to honor the 113 graduates who make up the ISHS class of 2010. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on the ISHS website, http://highschool.unl.edu/graduation.

"We are excited to offer a live webcast of graduation this year," said ISHS Principal Barry Stark. "This will be a great way for graduates and others who cannot attend in person to participate in the commencement ceremony." Eight graduates will attend the on-campus ceremony, bringing more than 100 family and friends.

The ISHS is an online independent study high school that draws a diverse body of students. The graduating class includes residents of 25 U.S. states and 16 foreign countries.

Morgan Mardock, who shows quarter horses at the national level, was drawn to the flexibility ISHS allows for travel to competitions. A member of Mensa since age 4, Calah Williams is graduating at age 14. ISHS has no age restrictions for grade levels or graduation. The son of political figures, Al-Qaid Akbar completed his diploma through an ISHS partner school, ELS Global Alternative Education in the Philippines.

Patrice Berger, director of the University Honors Program at UNL will speak, and graduates are invited to share a few words with those in attendance as well.

Attending graduates are: Al-Qaid J. Akbar, Isabela City, Basilan, Philippines; Ceclia Blair, Wallace, N.C.; Dalsey Lambley, Gordon, Neb.; Morgan Mardock, Omaha, Neb.; McKayla Olsen, Omaha, Neb.; Ruth Ann Peyrot, Plattsmouth, Neb.; Abriel Schlange, Auburn, Neb.; and Calah C.R. Williams, North Miami, Fla.

Al-Qaid J. Akbar attended ELS Global Education, an ISHS partner school, in the Philippines.

Cecelia Blair was attracted to ISHS for its flexibility and high quality. "I like the mission of the school," she comments. ISHS has a "unique ethos of learning: of learning passionately because you LOVE it," Blair explained. She plans to attend Meredith College to pursue international studies and economics.

Dalsey Lambley appreciates the flexible nature of ISHS, "I enjoyed the freedom it allowed me." In her last year and a half, Lambley attended Gordon-Rushville High School concurrently with ISHS, which provided her the opportunity to participate in band, choir and theater. After graduation she plans to major in music performance at Chadron State College, where she has a full tuition scholarship.

A demanding travel schedule drew Morgan Mardock, who shows quarter horses competitively, to ISHS. "I liked the fact I could work on my own time at my own pace," Mardock said. "The courses were very well planned out and easy to follow." Mardock will attend UNL in the fall, majoring in psychology. She adds, "I hope to continue to show horses some as well."

McKayla Olsen chose to earn her diploma from ISHS because of the flexibility and challenging courses. She plans to attend college and pursue a career in the medical field. Olsen is a fast-pitch softball player and has also participated in soccer, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics.

Eager to begin college, Abriel Schlange was interested in early graduation and decided to attend ISHS to accelerate her high school career. According to Schlange, "the best thing about ISHS was being able to work on my own. It was a challenge, but gave me valuable study techniques that I know will be useful in college." Schlange will attend Nebraska Wesleyan University this fall to attain a degree in the medical field.

Having attended a distance education school since the elementary level, Calah Williams, 14, was referred to ISHS for high school. "I liked the easy access," she said. "I used both print and online materials to suit my needs." Williams will enter college this fall to begin studies toward forensic psychology. She plans to achieve a Ph.D. in the field.

Established by the University of Nebraska in 1929, ISHS offers 100 college-prep distance education high school courses in more than 15 subjects. Students may supplement their curriculum with individual courses or earn their entire high school diploma. Accredited by NCA, CASI and the Nebraska Department of Education, ISHS works with more than 2,500 students each year across 50 U.S. states and 135 countries. ISHS is a program of Extended Education and Outreach, the distance education arm of UNL, offering high school, undergraduate, graduate and non-credit programs and services.

WRITER: Laura Wiese