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PECHS Graduates Accepted to Top Universities with STEM Focus

sign of burgaw center and pechs outside
Sinead Morrow and Miguel Salinas Vasquez will walk across the stage this May with not just one, but two diplomas in hand. They will each earn their high school diplomas from Pender Early College High School (PECHS) and Associate in Science degrees from Cape Fear Community College (CFCC).

Sinead was awarded the prestigious Goodnight Scholarship to NC State, a highly competitive program that supports top STEM students from North Carolina. Miguel was accepted to several top universities, including Swarthmore College, with an acceptance rate of just 7%.

Now, as they prepare to move on to four-year universities, they reflect on how PECHS and CFCC shaped their paths.

Pushing Academic Boundaries Early

sinead headshot behind union station
Sinead first learned about PECHS in middle school. “I wanted to be in an environment where I could push myself academically,” Sinead said. She completed her high school courses in under two years, freeing time to focus on her college classes, community involvement, and career goals.

“When I first started taking college classes, I was nervous. I was younger than everyone, but I quickly realized that didn’t matter,” she said. “Everyone’s here because they want to be. It was intentional.”

Some of her favorite memories at CFCC have been in Spanish classes with instructor Katrin Milne. “I was nervous about learning a whole new language, but she made it so welcoming, no matter your level,” Sinead shared. “There were native speakers, students who’d never heard Spanish before, it didn’t matter. She’s so accepting.”

Sinead’s love for animals began early. “When I was in kindergarten, I clearly remember watching Animal Planet, and I would always watch the vets performing all the surgeries.”

As Sinead got older, that spark grew, leading her to attend NC State’s Vet Camp in high school, volunteer at the local animal shelter in Burgaw, and shadow several shelters and veterinarians in the community. She plans to pursue pre-veterinary studies, hoping to work in shelter medicine one day as a veterinarian.

“I just want to help animals who don’t have anyone else.”

Taking a Chance, Finding His Place

student in front of parking deck surrounded by greenery
For Miguel, choosing PECHS wasn’t an easy decision at first. “My mom encouraged me to apply,” he said. “I didn’t want to go at first because all my friends were going elsewhere. But I gave it a chance and I’m so glad I did.”

As the first in his family to attend college, Miguel felt pressure to set an example for his other family members.

“I had to set the bar. I wanted to prove to myself and my family that I could do this.”

Initially, Miguel wasn’t sure what career he wanted to pursue. “When I was a kid, I thought I wanted to be a firefighter until I realized I don’t like fire or heights,” he laughed. “But I’ve always had this feeling of wanting to help people.”

His professors at CFCC helped him narrow his focus. “I was always really good at math and science. Professor Gee, who taught biology, and Professor Mazzarone, who taught chemistry, made me love science even more. They didn’t just teach the material, they made it make sense.”

Miguel’s interest in STEM led him to medicine, specifically anesthesiology. “I knew I wanted to be in the surgery field, but I didn’t want to do surgery. That’s when I realized anesthesiology was the right fit for me.”

His hard work paid off in a big way. He received acceptance letters from several prestigious schools. The moment he opened his Swarthmore letter is one he’ll never forget. “I was at work, and I had my coworker open it for me. All I saw was confetti, and I thought there’s no way.”

Though he was honored by the offer, Miguel ultimately committed to UNC Greensboro, where he plans to major in biochemistry and continue working toward his dream of medical school. “It’s better for me financially, and it allows me to stay closer to my family,” he said.

Starting the Next Chapter

Sinead and Miguel prove what’s possible through PECHS and CFCC’s partnership.

“Sinead and Miguel exemplify the very best of Pender Early College High School through their academic excellence, commitment to community, and remarkable leadership,” said Natasha Eachus Snyder, CFCC’s Pender County Educational Partnerships Coordinator and PECHS Liaison. “I am so incredibly proud of them both and wish them continued success in all that lies ahead.”

Sinead leaves future students with advice rooted in her own experience.

“Get out of your comfort zone. None of these opportunities would have happened if I had waited for them to come to me,” she said. “You have to call, you have to email. I’ve shadowed at offices I reached out to dozens of times, and eventually they just say, ‘Fine, come.’ You have to be diligent and determined because you will get rejected,” Sinead explained.

“It’s easy to feel discouraged when surrounded by older, more accomplished, or smarter people. But your journey is your own. Don’t compare it. Just put yourself out there.”

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