IE teen is ready to graduate from high school and college — at the same time

An Inland Empire teenager is getting ready to graduate – not only from high school, but from college, as well.

Hailey Contreras will soon receive her diploma from Hesperia High School and her degree from Chaffey College. The 17-year-old, who is working to become a corporate attorney, said she’s been motivated to pursue dual enrollment by her desire to create a legacy.

“The fact that I’m going to graduate college first before high school, it’s definitely exciting,” Contreras said.

The teen began taking college courses during her sophomore year at Hesperia High School. She said the move was scary at first but as time progressed, she began to build confidence.

“Not because I knew every answer, but because I was willing to have faith in myself and in the path I wanted to pursue and to be like, ‘You know, I got this,’” Contreras said.

The student said she studies ten hours a day during the week and dedicates her weekends to her studies. She balances her time to still participate in extracurricular activities and sports – a feat that she says her friends wonder about.

“’Do you sleep at night?’ And I’m like, ‘No, I do,’” Contreras said with a laugh. “I think they think it’s crazy but at the same point, I think they are very proud of me. They show it and they are big supporters.”

Contreras said the encouragement and guidance from her teachers, counselors and parents have been an immense help in her academic journey. She adds that it inspires her more to make them proud.

“I want to make a name for myself, and I feel like that’s been a constant goal of mine, especially as a first-generation Latina,” Contreras said.

She said after graduation, she plans on attending the University of California, Berkeley. After that, she wants to attend Yale University in pursuit of a corporate law degree.

“I want to break ground rules, like break the barriers to become an even greater lawyer,” Contreras said. “One where I don’t get undermined or underestimated, but one where they look at her and they’re like, ‘She’s going to come in here and rock this case.’”