Cincinnati, Ohio – This Sunday, a local teenager will graduate from high school with a college degree already under her belt. Tiffany Schatzle, an impressive young student, has achieved quite a bit in just a few years. Through Ohio’s College Credit Plus (CCP) program, Tiffany was able to take college courses while still in high school, earning her Associate’s degree from Cincinnati State. She ranks third in her graduating class at Edgewood High School and was also a top student at Cincinnati State.
Tiffany explains her motivation stems from her love of learning; she dislikes being idle because it leads to boredom. This passion for knowledge fueled her intense daily schedule. Her typical day involved attending high school classes in the morning, then returning home to take online college courses in the afternoon, earning her an Associate’s of Arts degree.
“My last summer off was in 8th grade, the year COVID hit. So, it’s going to be weird this summer not having schoolwork,” she said.
The CCP program, available to high school students across Ohio, enables them to take college courses at local institutions at no cost, significantly reducing educational expenses. This program has greatly assisted Tiffany and her family in managing the costs associated with her academic pursuits. Tiffany is now set to attend Miami Regional University, where she plans to study electromechanical engineering.
“She has worked so hard for everything she’s done,” said Danielle Schatzle, Tiffany’s mom. “I’ve spent so much time with both of my girls and just getting to this point and helping them be what they want to be when they grow up.”
“I’ve really tried to limit how much I’ll be spending for college because I want to be as debt-free as possible,” said Tiffany.
Tiffany recently received the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, a prestigious award that grants up to $5,000 in college scholarships to seniors who are in the top 5% of their graduating class.
Beyond her academic success, Tiffany has achieved much outside the classroom as well. At Edgewood High, she was recognized as the top scholar-athlete among female students and is actively involved in the Best Buddies program. This program fosters friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. This week, Tiffany received another pleasant surprise when she and her best buddy, Brooklynn, were honored as the Buddy Pair of the Year in Ohio.