A kick to soar
Providence High mid-year graduate wins soccer scholarship to college
Jack Wlodyka was all set for his first semester at college – his dorm
room was set up just the way he wanted, he was registered for
his college classes and his cleats were ready for soccer training.
The only tasks remaining were his final exams at Providence High
School.
On Jan. 16, Jack completed his finals and said his goodbyes
to friends, teachers and counselors who helped shape his three
and a half years of high school. He is one of nearly 600 students
who will graduate from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Feb. 2.
Jack now attends Wingate University and plays on the soccer
team. He earned a $30,000 scholarship with tuition-increase
coverage and an option to earn more academic money. He
said he was planning to graduate early and take a semester off
from school – but Wingate’s coach saw him play in a game last
summer and encouraged him to begin college early.
“I made the decision to graduate early back in mid-August,”
said Jack. “It wasn’t until December that I knew I was going to go
to Wingate in January.”
Jack has been playing soccer since he was about 4 years
old. He played for the Charlotte Soccer Academy for years. The
academy helps to develop a student’s talents to get recruited for
college. In addition, he played for Providence High his senior year.
His mother, Amy Wlodyka, said the decision for Jack to graduate early wasn’t too difficult. He began exploring the idea at the end of his junior year. He
had conversations with his college coach and several other people that he trusted.
“When making the decision for your student to graduate early, you have to find out what the ultimate goal is in graduating early and talk to the school
counselor,” said Amy Wlodyka. “For Jack, it just made sense for him.”
Jack said he had completed most of his course requirements by the end of his sophomore year. Although he says that he was “never the type that was
excited about school,” his fondest memories are from the school’s TV production class. It changed his perspective about school, he said.
“I was able to share more about myself and more of my personality through TV production,” said Jack. “My teacher, Paula Dean, was so supportive. It
made my time a lot more enjoyable.”
7 • March/April 2015 • Parent Teacher Magazine