By TRACY ESTES News Editor

HAMILTON - Many times, high school students spend time living for the moment--paying no attention to the future or the necessity of earning a living as academic days draw to a close.

Such is not the case for one Hamilton High School student who is not only planning for his future but is doing so ahead of schedule thanks to an agreement between the Marion County Board of Education and Bevill State Community College.

Gus Morrow is the last of six children in his family to pass through Hamilton High School’s hallways. His journey, however, may be a bit different than the path followed by his two older brothers and three elder sisters.

Participating in what is known as the Dual Enrollment Program between the county school system and the two-year community college is allowing Morrow to begin his future today.

“I love it and there is no doubt taking part in the program is helping me,” Morrow said in a recent interview with the Journal Record. “Hanging out with friends and working on cars in my free time is important to me so this program really gives me the chance to do something I like--and I am planning for my future at the same time.” Splitting his academic day into two parts is rather standard for Morrow, who leaves the high school shortly before noon to meet his afternoon commitments at the college.

He spends 90 minutes or so at Bevill State in the traditional classroom setting before shifting to the auto mechanics workshop for the hands-on portion of his day.

“That is the best part to me--the hands-on time,” Morrow said regarding the arrangement. “I do understand the importance of the classroom time, but I get bored after a while. I want to be out doing something with my hands.

“Even in my free time, I want to be doing something with my hands--just being outside. I do like to work on cars. Right now, I am working on a (Volkswagen) Bug and I hope to find my own Army Blazer to restore.” The youngest child of James and Debbie Morrow began his education through the program in August--shortly after the start of the new school year. Actually, he wanted to enroll in the class over the summer, but was unable to do so due to his work schedule.

Hamilton High School Guidance Counselor Stacey Page pointed out that students have the option of beginning work in the program in their junior year.

Doing so allows students to have two full academic years’ exposure to the program--only expediting their completion of any college-related work in the field after graduation from high school.

“Coordination with officials at Bevill State has been good,” Page said. “They have worked well with us, trying to find ways to make the program the most effective for our students.

“This simply gives students the opportunity to jump start a career after high school. They are more ‘work ready’ by having the chance to participate in this dual enrollment program.” Page said the program remains in its early stages, with Hamilton and other schools in the county system still working on any minor glitches, such as the transportation issue from campus to campus.

“Honestly, it is probably a bit easier for Hamilton students just because we are so close to the college campus,” Page said. “But it is something open to all of the students in the county and I hope to see many more take advantage of this opportunity.” Now having six months of experience in the program, there have been few surprises for Morrow.

“Pretty much what I expected. I?am enjoying the program and I am grateful to have the chance to be in it,” Morrow said. “Going in, I?knew it would be part classtime and part workshop. I think it is a good balance.

“The program will allow me to be halfway through toward my degree in the field by the time I?graduate high school because I am earning credit at Hamilton and at Bevill State. I will be able to finish up in only a year since I was able to get this head start.” Upon earning his certification in the field, Morrow plans to begin work in a private business before eventually opening his own repair shop in Hamilton.

In closing, Morrow said the support from Hamilton officials has been positive. He said the school had assisted him in the process of creating the necessary class schedule to accommodate his Bevill State classtime.

“I would encourage others to do this--anywhere in the county. This is a good thing for us to have this opportunity,” Morrow said.

Marion County Superintendent of Education Ryan Hollingsworth is a proponent of the program.

“Dual enrollment expands the course offering for students and allows them to meet individual needs and interests. The more interest a student has in his work will usually produce much better results,” Hollingsworth said.

“Some students have special skills necessary to participate in a program like this. This allows them to enter a career earlier after high school because they are earning credits at both levels. This is more effective use of their time. This has proven to be a win-win situation for us and the student.” Hollingsworth noted officials at Hamilton High School have been using the dual enrollment concept to offer a college-level geology course.

Unlike the auto mechanics class which is offered on the nearby college campus, this new geology course is scheduled at the high school where more than 20 students are now enrolled.

David Markham, who teaches night classes at Bevill State, is the Hamilton High School instructor in charge of the class. And like Morrow’s class, those participating in the geology course are also receiving college credit.

Including the geology course, there are currently 35 students at Hamilton High School taking advantage of the dual enrollment process. The 14 students outside the geology class are taking part in courses held on campus at the college in a variety of technical settings.

And the program does not only earn rave reviews from the high school level. Officials at Bevill State are supportive as well.

“Dual enrollment is a vital tool for us to provide for local students the opportunity in their preparation for future jobs,” said Bevill State-Hamilton Associate Dean Susan Burrow in an interview with the Journal Record.

“This program helps us to insure our work force is prepared for the jobs we expect to come with the anticipated growth we envision for Marion County and the surrounding area.”