For most high school juniors, college still feels like something far off in the distance. For Rose Pruitt, that future is already beginning to take shape. As a student at Cairo High School, she has been accepted into Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s FastTrack program, an opportunity that will allow her to take a college course while still in high school and experience the expectations of higher education firsthand.

“My counselor texted my mama and asked if I wanted to do it,” Rose explained. The message came after Cairo High School Assistant Superintendent/Counselor Mr. Griffin recognized her potential and encouraged her to apply. With help from her school, she completed the application and secured her place in the program.

The FastTrack program offers students the chance to enroll in a real college course, giving them both college credit and valuable experience. Rose and fellow Cairo High School student Cassidy Dunnigan will begin the course together, studying Black American Experience in a Pluralistic Society, a history class that immediately caught Rose’s attention.

Although the course will be taught online, it will follow the structure of a traditional college class. The experience won’t be totally new since she is already balancing multiple college-level classes through Shawnee Community College. She currently takes dual credit courses in history, sociology, and psychology, traveling to Shawnee during the school day to continue expanding her academic experience.

Rose has attended school in Cairo her entire life, beginning with Head Start and continuing through Cairo High School. Growing up in the community has given her a strong foundation, supported by her family and the educators who have encouraged her along the way. She lives with her mother, Sylvia Ramsey, and her father, Bobby Pruitt, both of whom have played important roles in her success. Her mother works as a certified nursing assistant, and her father works in construction while also continuing his own education. Their example has taught Rose the importance of hard work and persistence.

“The main people that really pushed me are my mama, my daddy, and my sister, too,” she said. “They are always on me about school.” Their encouragement has helped her stay focused, even while managing a demanding schedule.

In addition to her academic responsibilities, Rose works two jobs. She works at a local dollar store in Cairo and also works at Cosmic Creations with her cousin. Balancing school, college classes, and two jobs has not always been easy. “It was a little shaky at first,” she admitted. “But I got the hang of it now.” Through discipline and determination, she has learned how to manage her time effectively.

Her hard work has already begun to pay off. She maintains strong grades, earning mostly A’s and B’s, with many of her B’s just below an A. She takes pride in her academic performance and continues to push herself forward.

Outside of school and work, Rose is already thinking about her future. She hopes to become an ultrasound technician, inspired in part by her cousin’s career. She is especially interested in working with babies, drawn to the idea of helping families during important moments in their lives. “When I see ultrasound pictures of babies, I want to know what it means,” she said, describing her curiosity and interest in the field.

Her long-term goal is to attend Texas Southern University, a choice that reflects both her ambition and her desire for independence. Though she has never visited Texas, she believes the experience of studying far from home will help her grow. “I feel like it will help me with being independent,” she said. “I’m a shy person, so I feel like it will help.”

Being accepted into the SIU FastTrack program represents more than just an academic opportunity. It represents the beginning of a new chapter—one where she is already stepping into the world of college while still completing her high school journey.

And as she prepares to take another step in her education, she carries with her not only her own ambition, but the support of a family and community that have helped her believe in what is possible.