Imunique Triplett—a 17-year-old high school senior—recently accomplished quite a noteworthy feat: graduating with a nursing degree before she's even earned her diploma.

The accomplishment was attainable through Triplett's hard work and participation in M3, aka the M-Cubed College Connections program. This groundbreaking initiative allows students attending Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) to earn college credits at the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee at no cost to the student.

During her time in M3, Triplett had to take on 3 to 4 college courses while simultaneously handling her high school coursework. While it may have been challenging at some points, it ultimately paid off in the end and allowed this teen to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

"I didn't really think it was possible to get a college degree before graduating high school, but it feels really nice," Triplett said. "I'd definitely say the second semester was the hardest to balance, especially since I kind of wanted to have that normal high school experience as well—so I was kind of trying to juggle all of those things."

She also revealed that she was once unsure of entering the medical field because of her squeamishness. 

"I actually was kind of anti-health care [at one point] because I was so scared of body fluids and blood and things like that, so I kind of made my own assumptions about the health care field based on what I saw on TV and everything," she said.

However, after getting a feel for the profession through clinicals, Triplett developed a tolerance for the grittier side of nursing while also developing a passion for the field.

"I would have had so many regrets, so I'm glad I just went and did it and took that leap of faith into the unknown basically," she stated.

Triplett's mother, Bonnie Campbell, also expressed that—while she was initially surprised that her daughter wanted to enter the program—she's glad she did it.

"She wasn't into the meds and stuff like that, so I was like, 'Are you sure? Because we've got to be the ones running you back and forth, so make sure this is what you want to do.' And she really surprised me."

Triplett is one of the first students to complete the program, with her being noted as a "pioneer" by James Sokolowski, the post-secondary engagement coordinator for Milwaukee Public Schools.

Congratulations to Triplett on her accomplishment!

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