Bergquist was able to accomplish this due to Oscoda’s Dual Enrollment, and Early Middle College programs through Alpena Community College.

Early Middle College is a program that gives high school students an opportunity to start taking classes to earn their associate’s degree. Typically as a part of the program, students need an additional year after they graduate to achieve their associate’s degree, but Bergquist was able to have all the credits taken care of during her senior year.

Doing her classes either online or at ACC’s Oscoda campus, Bergquist completed 62.5 credits to obtain an associate’s degree in liberal arts. She accomplished all of this while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

“Grace is a very focused and driven young lady,” Amy Martin, an Oscoda counselor said. “She is very good at asking and advocating for what she needs.”

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi Oscoda High School senior Grace Bergquist is pictured with Oscoda High School Counselor Amy Martin.

Bergquist credits a lot of her success to the influence and support of her parents.

“My parents pushed me from a young age to excel academically,” Bergquist said. “When this opportunity came up for me they definitely wanted me to take it. They helped me a lot through the stress of it, and helped me stay organized.”

On top of excelling in her academics, Bergquist participated in a number of extracurricular activities. She’s a member of the National Honor Society and the Oscoda High School Rotary Interact Club, played on the high school basketball team for three years and the volleyball team for four. She also played tenor saxophone in the high school band.

As a member of the volleyball team during her senior season, Bergquist earned first-team all-North Star League honors and helped the Owls win their first district championship since 1995.

“It’s definitely a lot of hard work,” Bergquist said when asked about how she balances all of her activities “I definitely prioritize my academics above everything else, but I try not to burn myself out so I can make sure that I have a good high school experience, which I have.”

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi Oscoda High School senior Grace Bergquist is pictured during a recent morning at the school. Bergquist is set to graduate later this month.

Looking to the future, Bergquist plans to go to Saginaw Valley State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with the ultimate goal of going to a school of veterinary medicine and becoming a veterinarian.

“I’ve always really loved animals,” Bergquist said when asked what drew her to veterinary medicine. “I’ve worked at a vet clinic for the past few years, and that has reaffirmed my faith in going into veterinary medicine.”

Bergquist commencement ceremony is May 21 and she is proud of what she has managed to accomplish in her time at Oscoda High School and is excited for the future.

“It feels so relieving that I’m finally done,” Bergquist said, reflecting on her upcoming graduation “It’s exciting that I’ve accomplished so much, and now it’s finally coming together.”