BEDFORD – A Bedford student is making headlines after she earned her college associate degree days before she graduated from high school.
Faith Ritter is the first student in Bedford North Lawrence High School history to graduate high school with an Associate Degree in Science from Vincennes University.
Ritter, the daughter of Jeff and Summer Ritter, finished her time at BNL with a GPA of 4.39. Ritter was one of two of BNL’s 2023 salutatorians, sharing the honor with Kallista Sykes.
“I could not have done this without them (her parents),” said Ritter. “They are my biggest supporters. If I would get stressed or down, they were always there telling me how smart I was and pushing me forward to success. I could not have done it without them and their loving support.”
Ritter is also a Class of 2023 Stellar Scholar.
Early College is a program that allows students to complete courses at BNL and receive both high school and college credit for their efforts. The vision of the Bedford North Lawrence High School is that each student will continuously excel in a global society by being a self-motivated learner, a critical thinker, an effective communicator, a skilled collaborator, a responsible and culturally aware citizen, and a technologically capable creator, which Ritter is.
This was an excellent opportunity for Ritter to earn free college credits while simultaneously developing skills and dispositions necessary for success after high school graduation.
Ritter took the initiative by the horns. She began taking college courses when she was a freshman at BNL.
During her time at BNL, Ritter was also a member of the Impact Club, National Honors Society, National Beta Club, Renaissance, Disney Club, and Spanish Club.
Ritter completed 70 college credit hours by May, earning her degree with a 4.0 grade-point average.
“It was difficult juggling classes and my activities,” she added. “I sacrificed a lot. I didn’t have a lot of free time. If I was not studying, I was volunteering. There was no time to go out with friends or to school events. I was focused and determined.”
Ritter plans to attend Indiana University in the fall taking pre-med and biology. Her goal is to become a family doctor and practice in Bedford.
“I will begin working on my bachelor’s degree in biology while at the same time taking pre-med,” she added. “Once that is completed I will go in the medical program at IU.”
Her goal is to give back to the community she loves.
“Most doctors practice at large hospitals in big cities because of the opportunities offered,” Ritter added. “But, I don’t want my patients to be just a name on a medical chart. Rural communities are in need of good doctors who really care about their patients. There are not enough doctors willing to sacrifice those opportunities offered at large hospitals to help people that really need it. I want a one-on-one relationship with my future patients.”
Ritter is on track to becoming one of the youngest doctors to graduate from IU.
“Most begin practicing medicine at the age of 30. If all goes as planned I should be practicing medicine at the age of 28, if there are no bends in the road.” Ritter added. “The future presents immense possibilities and I cannot wait to see what God does in my life as well as in the lives of those around me.”
