Braycee Jade Fenster loves puzzles.
That explains why Fenster spent so much time with her mother watching “CSI”, “NCIS” and nearly every other television show that involved solving mysteries.
Amanda Stewart had an affinity for a different genre of television shows growing up. Stewart attributes her love of medical shows to her fascination with the body and what makes it tick.
Even though they took different routes, Fenster and Stewart wound up on the same path. The West Lowndes High School seniors then connected in athletics and worked together to solve a time slot puzzle that has given them a head start on their future.
On Friday, Fenster and Stewart received their associate’s degrees from East Mississippi Community College. On May 23, they will celebrate again when they graduate from WLHS.
Fenster and Stewart started their college journeys as juniors at WLHS and earned their two-year degrees by completing 60 hours in online, dual-enrollment classes at EMCC. That work will give Fenster, who plans to study forensic science at Mississippi State University, and Stewart, who will attend the University of Mississippi, an advantage over some of their classmates.
“Some parts of the dual-enrollment classes were really easy,” Fenster said. “The biological classes were the easiest for me. There were other classes that were much harder. After I got to a certain point, I learned it is better to put certain classes with other classes so you can balance your schedule because you could have as many as 20 assignments in a week.”
Fenster, who was a member of the WLHS’ volleyball and powerlifting teams and was manager for the softball team, started her dual enrollment journey with art, psychology and sociology. She moved to history, music appreciation, general biology and philosophy in her second semester. Fenster said she took three to four and up to five classes through each semester and in the summer to meet the degree requirements. She said that work saved her money and time en route to becoming a forensic investigator, either for a police department or, possibly, a federal organization.
“I don’t know how I did it,” said Fenster, who also is a member of the BETA Club and is the vice president of the kitchen committee at Oakland Missionary Baptist Church in Crawford. “I blinked and we’re here. At the time, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, how am I going to do this?’ It was so abrupt to make that shift, but once I understood how my classes were going to go at West Lowndes High, I could work out a schedule of the few brackets of free time I had so I could do my dual enrollment assignments.”
Stewart, who moved to Mississippi from Ohio, took advantage of the dual-enrollment classes because they are offered at a reduced rate, which fit perfectly in her plan to save money for college. She admitted she “wasn’t doing much” when she first arrived in Mississippi, but she eventually joined the volleyball team – thanks to prodding from Fenster – and the cheerleading and softball teams. She said things grew “more intense” when she started taking dual-enrollment classes, but she said her mother, who has multiple sclerosis and is mentally handicapped, and her father, who is disabled and retired, were sources of motivation.
“My parents didn’t have the ability to go to college. I think that is what inspired me the most,” Stewart said. “My dad (her grandfather who is her legal guardian) was the son of a sharecropper, so all he did was finish high school. My mother just finished high school. I wanted to be the first one to break the cycle. I wanted to start a change in our family line.”
WLHS volleyball and softball coach Ashley Clark said Fenster and Stewart have “made West Lowndes proud” and she is confident they will continue to do great things.
“Amanda has truly been a standout student,” Clark said. “She is dependable, dedicated and takes pride in her academics. Amanda balances her schoolwork and extracurricular activities with a level of maturity beyond her years. She sets high standards for herself and consistently meets them, which is why it’s no surprise she achieved this incredible milestone.
“Braycee is another remarkable student who has shown great determination and focus. She has worked hard to maintain a strong academic record while also being a positive influence on her peers. Braycee is known for her quiet leadership, always leading by example and pushing herself to reach her goals.”
Stewart said making the sacrifices to realize a change of that magnitude was difficult at times. But she realized passing up time with her friends or not going to events was worth it because she was looking at a bigger picture.
“I am really just now realizing how much I put into my future while I am still going to high school,” Stewart said. “I realized how many classes I took that I don’t have to take in college and I kept my grades up so I can qualify for different things. I also saved money, so I am just now realizing the hard work actually paid off. It didn’t feel like it for the longest time.”
Stewart hopes to become an X-ray technician and work toward becoming an MRI technician and a radiologist. She also works with the non-profit organization Operation Colony Cats, which traps cats and neuters or spays them and gives them rabies shots, and is a junior usher and a member of the kitchen committee at Oakland Missionary Baptist Church. She wouldn’t have wanted anyone but Fenster to accompany her on their journey.
“When people ask, ‘Is there anybody else you’re graduating with?’ I mention Braycee,” Stewart said. “It gives me a warm feeling in my heart because when I first came here I wondered who were my academic opponents, and Braycee was one of them. To see us strive to be so good and to make our dreams come true is gratifying. We have grown close because we have played multiple sports together and we go to the same church. It makes me feel happy.” Fenster feels the same way and is excited and nervous about moving on to MSU.
“I knew when I started (working to earn an associate’s degree) was going to be a little different, but some people I think of as sisters who did the same thing helped me follow in their footsteps a little bit,” Fenster said. “It wasn’t too weird, but, at the same time, I sit here and am like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I did that.’ It is pretty cool.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
