This is the first post in our blog series “Prepared” – first-person narratives from students focusing on how North Carolina public schools are preparing them for their next phase of life. The author, Alyssa Hasan, is a student at Nash Early College High School (Nash County Public Schools) and resides in Nashville, North Carolina with her dad, Shareef Hasan.
The first time I walked through the white and blue hallways of Nash Early College High School (NECHS), I felt imposter syndrome. I wanted to go to traditional high school like many of my friends, but my mom pushed for me to attend NECHS instead. Now, finishing my fifth and final year at this rigorous yet rewarding institution, I can confidently say I would choose to attend NECHS in every single lifetime.
My name is Alyssa Hasan. I am a “super senior” in high school. Early college is a five-year program that allows students to graduate simultaneously with a high school diploma and an associate degree, with an option for a certificate as well. This is at no cost to the students who are accepted into the program and if the student applies and transfers to a university that accepts their credits, they can graduate with their bachelor's degree in two years. This May, I will graduate with a high school diploma, an associate of arts and a certification in case management.
Attending NECHS has opened many doors for me that would not have otherwise been possible. I hold a paid internship at a local law criminal defense firm, Hester & Tucker, PLLC in Rocky Mount. I became an active member of the District 7 Teen Court Program, where I serve as a student defense attorney and president of the Nash County chapter. I have been invited to sit on student panels with Congressman Don Davis, State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green and other local and state legislators. I have served as a Governor's Page for Governor Josh Stein and met Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. I am an active member of my school's National Honors Society and serve as the Student Government Association President for the 2025-26 school year.
As you can see, early college students are busy. When I met with Superintendent Green during his visit to Nash County earlier this fall, the one thing that I wanted to highlight to him about NECHS is that our faculty ensures opportunities for all students are accessible and attainable. Compared to my experiences with other schools, no school has been able to cultivate my mind and enable me into becoming a strong leader like NECHS has. There is a push for early independence, advocacy and preparedness for the real world. For example, my work in the Teen Court program, which is a program designed for youth misdemeanor offenders to have a jury trial with a jury of their peers amplifies my dedication to service, passion and advocacy. Here is a place where I get to use my voice to help advocate for myself and others.
Furthermore, NECHS does an amazing job at teaching networking skills. I network with local attorneys and business owners all the time. NECHS gave me the skills to go out, interview and successfully hold an internship at one of the best law firms in the county. I get to actively attend trials in the area, work on getting the attorney’s cases ready for court, input new client information into a secure system, and learn from three of the best attorneys in the area. Without our required Bridge Enhancement classes, which teach and build these skills of communication and performance, I wouldn’t have been as prepared.
I am not saying it is impossible for one to achieve success without attending an early college, but early colleges prioritize preparing students for success after high school by taking real and measurable steps that have yielded success. I owe a huge thank you to my school principal Dr. Thomas McGeachy, school counselors like Mrs. Indya Sweet, teachers like Mrs. Carey Davis and Mr. Jacob Carey and the rest of the amazing faculty at NECHS.
Thanks to the opportunities and support I've received as a student at NECHS, I feel prepared to attend a four-year university. I am a first-generation, Palestinian-American college student. I will start receiving college admissions decisions in December. I am waiting on a couple schools in NC and a couple out of state. I have not really decided what exactly I want to do in the legal field, but I feel confident as I begin in university, I can really tailor my future to look perfect for me.