While most girls her age are finishing up middle school this spring and looking forward to their freshman year of high school, 13-year-old Megyn Bolen of Aiken will receive her associate degree from Aiken Tech May 6, likely the school’s youngest graduate ever.
“The whole process has honestly been amazing. It feels like it went by way too fast like it was a blur of first report cards, late nights, 1 a.m. chemistry assignments, doubting all my life choices – I only did that twice, I think,” said Megyn, who will receive her degree in general science. Feeding their daughters’ love of learning is something her parents have always sought to do.
“We don’t limit them,” said Megyn’s mom, Amber Bolen.
Megyn has read books well-beyond her grade level and always risen to the challenge and although she has other siblings, she’s the only one with accelerated schooling.
To better facilitate Megyn’s unquenchable love of learning, her mom homeschooled her and ramped things up by setting out to cover two school years in one.
“They always told me that we could stop if we hit a wall,” she said.
But she never did.
As she entered high school, the idea of dual enrollment to finish high school while earning college credits led them to Aiken Tech.
“When we were first starting to apply, it was more like who would let me take classes,” she said. “When I got to Aiken Tech and first started going to the classes, I wouldn’t say it was an easy transition, but it felt natural. The classes were really good; the professors, for the most part, were phenomenal,” she said.
Megyn took her courses virtually and was able to maintain a social life with others her age.
She took Social and went to her spring formal on May 3. She’s played tennis, been a competitive swimmer, is black-belt recommended in taekwondo, takes piano and is part of the youth worship team at Millbrook Baptist Church. The worship team is her favorite, she added.
Inspired by an older sister who recently became a physician assistant, Megyn is leaning toward that career field, but dentistry has also appealed to her.
Her next step is her bachelor’s degree. Her credits from Aiken Tech will all transfer to Lander University, where she’ll start in the fall as a junior – also virtually. She should have her bachelor’s degree in public health by the time she’s 15.
After that, she’ll weigh options again. Because of her age, she may end up getting an advanced degree in engineering before she pursues medical school. She’s always wanted to have a master’s degree by the time she was in her early 20s, according to her mom.
Aiken Technical College will have its annual Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the USCA Convocation Center, 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville, S.C.
Doors for the event will open at 5 p.m. No tickets are required. The event will also be livestreamed on the college’s YouTube channel, https://bit.ly/4jS5AAS, according to a news release from Aiken Tech.
More than 380 students have been approved for graduation, earning a total of over 420 credentials, including associate degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Retired Vice Admiral Chuck Munns, internationally known for his leadership, will be the keynote speaker.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
