Each Wednesday we are sharing the stories of outstanding students who began their college education while still in high school. Today we introduce you to Ramonda Huff.
Like her mother, Ramonda Huff is homeschooled and began taking college classes in-person at age 15. Ramonda attended Cayuga Community College for a year because of its proximity to their home, then switched to Onondaga Community College when her mother discovered the Early OCC program. "My mom is originally from Washington state and they had a program there where homeschoolers could start early and that's what she did. She had been looking for one in upstate New York for a long time when she found this one. OCC was able to provide that and allow me to jumpstart my future."
While pursuing her Mathematics & Science degree, Huff was inspired by some of her classes. "Philosophy Professor Patrick Kenney genuinely changed my life. It really changed my perspective. I convinced four friends to take Philosophy classes because of how it impacted me and now it's impacting them."
Huff specifically referenced their study of Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy, which is a life philosophy and treatment modality. "We discussed finding your meaning. After doing a lot of work on that, I know my meaning is to help people. The best way I can do that is through the law. I am a queer woman living in upstate New York. With our current political climate, it's getting real scary. Because of who I am and who my friends are and how I've grown up, I've seen a lot of bad things happen. School shootings happen all of the time. We're not doing anything about it. I think I can help. I want to help. That's how taking Philosophy here changed my life."
Huff finished 12th grade in January, and in May she will receive her Mathematics & Science degree. She plans to transfer to the University at Buffalo - SUNY (UB), earn a bachelor's degree, and continue into UB's Law School. At age 18, she will have completed her first two years of college tuition-free and will enter UB as a junior. "OCC was an incredible opportunity for me, and Early OCC is an incredible opportunity for home schoolers."
