The Cap & Gown Rounds: These Grads From Cobb Are Going Places

KENNESAW, GA -- Meet a Kennesaw State University student who not long ago, was tending to sheep and goats in Nigeria. Now, she's readying for medical school. Plus: An actor in KSU's theater program told Patch that he knew he wanted to be on stage when he saw a KISS rocker majestically handle a guitar to the crowd's delight.

Also one Chattachoochee Technical Student has earned her college degree before she's even graduated from high school. How did she do it? Deets below!

Michelle Edward, a senior biology major from Africa, said that coming to Kennesaw State University was not at all in the cards. Not long ago, she was in Nigeria tending to sheep and goats. Now, she's readying for medical school.

“My decision to attend KSU was unplanned,” the 20-year old said in a news release. “I had only been back in the country for four months after a six-year hiatus in Nigeria and was gradually losing hope that I would be able to attend university that fall.”

She found solace and guidance in an advisor, who helped her immensely along the way.

“I remember panicking about that one class every semester that would make me doubt my journey through college,” said Edward. “I would run to my academic advisor, Hannah, mid-semester to vent, but she’d always reassure me that there is nothing too hard to accomplish and that all I need to do is believe in myself and try my best.”

Covington Native Wins for Student of the Year Honors At KSU

A Covington native was recently named Student of the Year in Kennesaw State University’s Division of Student Affairs, Patch has learned. Myles Cardenas received the honor during an awards ceremony, which also recognized more than three dozen other people and organizations.

The event, held at the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center at the university's Marietta campus, gave kudos to all the achievements made over the past academic year by KSU’s student groups and students.

“The competition was a lot of work, but was the most rewarding experience that I have ever been a part of,” Cardenas, a senior from Covington majoring in construction management, was quoted as saying. “I am extremely proud of every single person who has been involved in the chapter over the years, and those who have graduated from the university and still dedicate time to come back and help the chapter in any way they can.”

KSU Grad Lands Pro Acting Job In Memphis

Danny Crowe of Marietta dreamt of a life on stage since he was 4 or 5 years old. "I always knew I wanted to perform. One of my earliest memories is watching Freddie Mercury from Queen and Paul Stanley from KISS," he told Patch in a phone interview. "I remember Paul Stanley shooting fireworks out of his guitar and everyone went crazy. I said I wanted to do that."

Crowe graduated from Kennesaw State University Wednesday and will exit stage left -- to Tennessee, where he's landed a professional acting job with Playhouse on the Square, a theater company.
"I signed a one-year long apprenticeship contract with the theater company and will be moving to Memphisand working in their season professionally for the next year," he said.

Cobb Teen Earns College Degree Before Diploma

Kennesaw Mountain High School senior Mariah Young has earned a college degree before a high school diploma. The 18-year-old from Powder Springs graduated Thursday from Chattahoochee Technical College, the school said.

The feat means that Mariah has an associate's degree of Applied Science in Environmental Technology, which is offered exclusively at the college’s North Metro Campus. Now, the Move On When Ready student has to do is earn her high school diploma.
The Kennesaw Mountain High School senior is set to get even more education at the College of Coastal Georgia, where she will enroll in the fall.
“I will complete my four-year degree in about two years or less,” Mariah said in a news release. “This makes my dream of obtaining a doctorate of pharmacy more plausible and shortens that time that I spend in college post high school.”

3,200 Graduates Expected At Kennesaw State Commencement

Read more: Pics & Video: Thousands Graduate At KSU Commencements: ICYMI

Images via KSU