There is a student from Coushatta who will get his degree from college prior to graduating from high school.  And he is only 14 years old.  Isak Schmidley has worked very hard, and his academic achievements are being rewarded.

Proud mom Traci Schmidley told the Journal he will graduate Summa Cum Laude from Bossier Parish Community College on May 13.  That is one day prior to his high school diploma being awarded by Country Day Montessori School.

What does Isak think of this?  “I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional opportunities I’ve had, both at Country Day Montessori School and at Bossier Parish Community College. I am also grateful for the support of my family as well as my church family at East Point Mt. Zion Baptist Church. I hope to make my hometown of Coushatta proud,” said Schmidley.

At BPCC Schmidley majored in General Sciences with a natural science concentration, with enough extra credits to also earn a Certificate of General Studies. His favorite class was calculus, but he loved all of his science classes also. He will begin at LSU Health this Spring to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.

From Traci Schmidley, “We are proud of Isak for his enormous dedication and commitment to his academic goals. We have every confidence he will be successful in his pursuits at LSU-Health.”

She is the director of Country Day Montessori School in Coushatta.  “Individualized education models, like the Montessori method, allow students to progress through concepts at their own pace. For some students, like Isak, this means they are able to accelerate into advanced coursework and maintain a high degree of interest and enthusiasm when they might otherwise become bored. For other students, individualized education means they can take more time on concepts and learn information thoroughly and completely, without being rushed through or left behind,” said Traci Schmidley.  She added, “We are committed to helping each child achieve success.  And we acknowledge that for different children, success takes on different appearances.”

Graduate Isak Schmidley expressed the hope that other young people would enjoy learning as he does.  Isak said, “I want young people to feel passion and purpose to pursue their dreams, whatever those may be. God designed all of us so differently with different talents and interests. One day, I hope we stop looking at another person’s path and labeling it right or wrong but recognize instead the unique ways God calls his people according to His purposes. I hope God will be glorified as I continue to pursue His will as I follow the passions He placed in my heart.”

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