Creating a Legacy
Early college students accept awards with pride

With whoops of support, fervent applause, audacious jokes, laughter and shouts of joy, the freshman and sophomores at Legacy Early College High School crossed the stage eager to receive their certificates for a job well done.

What’s more, the parents themselves — a grand turn-out by small-school standards — cheered along with their children at the Legacy ECHS awards ceremony at the Hutto Performing Arts Center Wednesday night.

“With the expectations we have and what they sacrifice to be in the program, I think that makes it a special event for everyone,” Legacy Principal Richard Kolek said. “It feels great to honor them for their dedication.”

Legacy students forego the typical high school experience of athletics, clubs and other school organizations to focus on their academics and accelerate them toward later success in college through completion of dual-credit courses — a responsibility in addition to their regular high school requirements.

This year, the Legacy student body earned 328 hours of college credit, 99 hours for the freshman and 229 for the sophomores. Every sophomore earned some measure of college credit, along with 80 percent of freshman, according to Kolek.

At the ceremony, each student who earned college credit this year was given a certificate commending that achievement, in addition to other awards. The students were happy to receive their awards, but the parents were proudest of all.

“We’re very proud, and we’re proud of the teachers and administrators, as well,” said Barbara Aviles, mother of Legacy sophomore Estevan Aviles. “They’ve supported the kids, and the kids have developed their friendships and their academics.”

Estevan Aviles said he joined the Legacy program because he was “bored with regular high school.”

Freshman Brenna Terrell was excited to discuss her awards with her friends at the reception after the ceremony. The program was “really cool,” she said, especially because she received some awards she didn’t expect.

“It was really challenging, but I think I got through the first year really well,” Terrell said.

To further encourage the students, representatives from Temple College, the East Williamson County Higher Education Center, the Taylor ISD Board of Trustees and the Hutto ISD superintendent attended the ceremony as well.

“Being the first of its kind, this program is special to this whole region,” Kolek said. “But (the students) are the ones that have to do the work. We expect the most from them, and you can see from the awards that they’re rising to the challenge.”