Each morning, Kymoni Dilworth and a small group of classmates board school transportation bound for Shawnee Community College. By the time the rest of the high school is settling into first period, Kymoni is already diving into dual credit courses that will allow him to graduate with both a high school diploma and college credits in hand.

This fall, Kymoni is enrolled in government and music. The classes are taught alongside both high school and college students, creating an environment that stretches him in new ways. “It’s like a mix,” he explained. In government, he’s working through the Constitution and amendments. In music, he is learning about the history and influence of different genres, starting with the blues before moving on to rock and roll and other styles. “These are the most papers I’ve ever had to write,” he admitted with a laugh, “but it’s going to be worth it.”

Dual credit classes are a big opportunity for Cairo students. They come with no tuition cost, and the school provides transportation. For motivated students like Kymoni, that means the chance to get a head start without the burden of student debt. By the end of his junior and senior years, he will likely have completed the equivalent of eight college classes. “The credits can hopefully transfer anywhere,” he said. That flexibility opens the door to possibilities he is still weighing.

College is definitely in his future. Kymoni isn’t yet sure of a major—his interests shift from time to time—but he knows he wants to own something one day, whether a business or another venture. “I just know I want to go to college,” he said. Some days, he thinks about community college as the next step, finishing an associate’s degree before transferring. Other days, he dreams about attending an HBCU, a historically Black college or university. “That would be pretty cool,” he said, though he hasn’t settled on a specific one just yet.

Kymoni’s journey to Cairo wasn’t simple. He spent his early years in Jackson, Tennessee. After the loss of his mother, he moved to Cairo in sixth grade to live with his grandmother, who now cares for him and his older brother. It was a major transition, but Kymoni has found stability in school and family. His brother, Donnez, graduated early from Cairo and is now attending Shawnee Community College as well. “He’s really smart,” Kymoni said proudly.

Part of what makes Cairo special, he believes, is its small size. “We’re a family all around,” he said. Teachers, staff, and classmates know one another well, and that sense of connection makes it easier to take on new opportunities like dual credit. “Not all schools offer this,” he pointed out. “It’s helping me right now.” He knows that other programs—like auto mechanics or CNA certification—offer similar opportunities for his peers, giving Cairo students a range of ways to get ahead before graduation.

Even with his college courses, Kymoni keeps a full schedule at Cairo. He is a three-sport athlete, competing in basketball, baseball, and track. On the court, he plays guard and hopes the younger roster can find its stride after graduating so many seniors last year. In track, he runs the 100- and 200-meter races, sometimes joining relay teams, and he plans to take on the 400 this year. Baseball is a newer pursuit, and he is interested in pitching, though he knows starting in that role can be tough. On top of it all, he participates in Scholar Bowl, proving that his academic drive extends well beyond the classroom.

Kymoni’s favorite subject at school is science, though English is a close second. His grades are strong—“pretty sure I’ve got all A’s,” he said. His teachers have made a lasting impression, especially Mr. Gibson and Mr. Campbell, who taught him science and technology. “They’ve both helped me a lot,” he said.

For Kymoni, the future is still being written. And whether he is writing a paper for music class, drilling basketball plays, or sprinting down a track lane, he is building the discipline that will carry him into adulthood.

Cairo’s investment in students like Kymoni is already paying off. By supporting transportation and opportunities for dual credit, the district is giving its students the tools to dream bigger and reach farther. For Kymoni, that means imagining himself as a college student while still wearing his high school uniform. It means believing that even in a small town, big opportunities can take root.