Like most teenagers, Sophia enjoys hanging out with friends. Unlike most teenagers, you’re likely to find her hanging 15 to 30 feet in the air.
A former competitive gymnast turned aerialist, Sophia trains on silks, trapeze and lyra three days a week all while balancing schoolwork and a part-time job. Add to that the fact that she’s finishing high school at the same time she’s earning an associate degree in Psychology.
The pivot to aerial started when she spotted a promotion for a local training company. Curious, she signed up for a summer course and was hooked.
The curiosity that pulled her toward aerial is the same thing that led her to Early College courses offered through Great Bay Community College.
“I heard about Early College through one of my friends who was already in the program at the Community College System of New Hampshire. She told me about dual enrollment options. My mom and I had been talking about getting a jump start — things like college composition, statistics — and then I met with an advisor who told me about this opportunity where I could graduate with my associate degree at the same time I get my high school diploma.”
Sophia tested the waters with a mix of online and in-person classes at Great Bay Community College which she calls “the best of all worlds.” The smaller class sizes helped too, giving her the chance to actually get to know her professors.
Now she has her sights set on UNH, which boasts one of the largest aerial programs in the country and is the first liberal arts university in the nation to offer aerial dance as part of an undergraduate degree
With a work ethic that translates as naturally from athletics to academics, Sophia thrived. For anyone considering Early College, her advice is straightforward:
“Early college is a great program, but it’s not for everyone. Check your motives first. A lot of people do it because of preset expectations — and it’s a lot of time and effort to put toward something that might not truly be your thing. But if you’re genuinely passionate about it? Go for it.”
Sophia is set to finish her high school classes this December — right on track to complete her associate degree in Psychology by the time her original graduating class crosses the stage. From there, Sophia plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps to UNH in fall 2027, where sports psychology, sports medicine and therapy are all on her radar, along with a spot in one of the most competitive aerial programs in the country. With her sharp mind, grounded perspective and years of practice trusting the process from 30 feet up, she’s exactly the kind of student built to glide through whatever comes next.
