Taking a heavy load of dual-enrolled classes was instrumental in getting into Wake Forest University where she will pursue her dual passions – engineering and math – according to 2025 Clarke County High School salutatorian Victoria Cooper.
Cooper earned more than 40 college credits prior to graduation day. Among her favorite classes were English with Jamie Coleman and International Baccalaureate Math Analytics with Melissa Astin.
“Ms. Astin was very supportive in all my math endeavors, as well as my art endeavors,” Cooper said. “Mrs. [Jennifer] Angiulli was definitely my greatest supporter in the arts as my IB Visual Arts teacher. She was always very sweet and guided me to where I am now.”
She hasn’t settled on her specific major yet.
“I applied undecided, but I plan on going in for engineering,” Cooper said. “I declare my major in two years, so I plan on taking several different engineering courses and figuring out what course I would like to go on. I will also be minoring in artwork and studio art. I received the Presidential Scholarship of Distinguished Achievement for the Arts. I will be ambassador of the arts at school.”
The engineering program at the Winston-Salem, North Carolina university is very well-known, according to Cooper.
“They also have a lot of female engineers,” she added. “They have a really big community of strong women who support one another. They also really support the arts. I think Wake Forest was really the best fit for me for both fields, and I also love the area.”
While she is not yet sure how many of her credits will transfer into Wake Forest, Cooper said dual enrolling gave her an edge on getting into the university.
“I think it was really helpful in setting me apart because it helped me take the highest level of coursework available to me,” she said. “It definitely prepared me for the rigor of college coursework. I think it was a great opportunity. It helped save money and time in my education.”
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.