Diligent Fil-Am Hawaii high school seniors will get college degrees a week before graduating

Eight Farrington High seniors will receive their associate’s degrees from Honolulu Community College during commencement this Friday, May 12. SCREENGRAB/HNN

Filipino Americans are among eight Farrington High School seniors who will already have college degrees one week before getting their high school diplomas.

The Farrington High seniors will receive their associate’s degrees from Honolulu Community College during commencement this Friday, May 12.

Among them are Cardena Pintor, Leilani Dela Cruz, Rachelle Anne Manuel and Cadyn Ramos. In two years, they can earn their bachelor’s degrees.

They participated in the Early College Running Start program starting in 9^th Grade, which allows high school students to take free college courses.

The students usually take one or two college classes, “and then by the time they hit junior or senior year, they are pretty much going to college full time,” said Regan Honda, Farrington High School college and career counselor told Hawaii News Now.