When Isabella Teti turned her tassel and marked her graduation from Gloucester Catholic High School, she was celebrating the earning of not just one degree – but two.
As part of the High School Option Program at Rowan College of South Jersey, Teti took college-level courses while pursuing her high school diploma, allowing her to complete her associate’s degree at the same time.
“The program at Rowan College of South Jersey has truly allowed me to flourish,” said Teti, 18, who is a member of Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights, and gave this year’s student commencement speech at the college.
Principal Tom Iacovone saw Teti thrive at the Gloucester City high school as well. “I cannot say enough good things about Bella. She is someone who is leaving a lasting impact here at Gloucester Catholic for years to come.”
With ambitions to pursue a law degree and become an attorney, Teti will soon embark upon the next step in her journey, having accepted a full-tuition scholarship to attend LaSalle University in Philadelphia. She plans to double major in criminal justice and business systems and analytics, and minor in pre-law.
“Achieving an associate’s degree in criminal justice has allowed me to enter LaSalle University with almost all 60 credits earned at RCSJ,” she said. “It will save me time, allow me to pursue a double major and a minor, and [open up] more internship opportunities and job opportunities in the future.”
The High School Option Program offers Diocese of Camden high school students the chance to take college courses at RCSJ at a discounted rate. Teti first learned about the program when she was a freshman. The challenge seemed daunting at first, but with the support of her Gloucester Catholic advisers and the college, she dove right in.
“I knew instantly that I had made the right decision,” she said. “The college was so encouraging and made every step to integrate [me] into a class with college students as seemingly as possible.”
Besides being selected to address RCSJ students during commencement, Teti also served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at the college.
She made a name for herself at Gloucester Catholic, too, having been active in cheerleading, volleyball and softball, as well as the student council and National Honor Society. She was also a student ambassador, a member of the book and baking clubs, and was the student editor-in-chief of the yearbook club. She was also selected as her class salutatorian.
“Isabella is an amazing young woman who is incredibly driven in everything she does,” Iacovone said. “She is also one of the most compassionate and kind students I have come across in the last 16 years. She is always the first to volunteer to help whether it is a teacher, peer or service opportunity in our community.”
Teti wound up receiving acceptances from 14 colleges and universities, and was offered more than $1.6 million in scholarships – including two full-tuition scholarships. She credits the RCSJ program as helping to give her a leg up.
“In an incredibly competitive world, and having experiences that can help you stand out is crucial to any job you pursue,” she said.
Iacovone said the program is a unique opportunity that saves students and families money by helping them earn college credits at a discounted rate, and while still in high school.
“Every student at Gloucester Catholic has the opportunity, like Bella, to take college courses through our partnership with RCSJ,” he said. “We have some students who just take a course or two, others who try to take a course every semester, and then there is Bella, who went above and beyond to achieve her associate’s degree.”
For more information on RCSJ’s HSOP program, visit rcsj.edu.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
