MacKenzie Watson

Jamestown Community College Liberty Partnerships Program Alumni

When did you graduate high school and which high school did you attend?
I graduated from Jamestown High School in June, 2019.

What are you up to now?
I am currently attending Jamestown Community College and majoring in biology and math. I am also working as a tutor for the Liberty Partnerships Program, helping high school students get ready to retake their regent’s exams in January.

How did you get involved with Liberty Partnerships?
One of my friends invited me to the navigator’s office for lunch. When we arrived, the navigator began talking to me about the program; he explained the purpose of the program, activities the program hosts, and college visits in order to help students become more knowledgeable about what each college offers.

What are some of your favorite activities/programs that you did through Liberty Partnerships?
I had the opportunity to attend the Youth Summit this past year. I really enjoyed getting away to a new city and meeting new people. I loved both keynote speakers and felt their messages were so relatable. And I enjoyed presenting our vision board; it was exciting to talk about the good things happening here. Another activity I enjoyed was a leadership overnight at Camp Onyahsa on Chautauqua Lake. The activities were lots of fun and it was great staying in a cabin with my friends.

Describe how Liberty Partnerships shaped your life both in and out of the classroom.
LPP has guided me to become self-disciplined in school. It has helped me learn study habits and guided me to stay disciplined and follow study schedules in order to prepare for exams and quizzes. This program has opened my eyes to see what JCC offers and how it is very affordable and provides the same prerequisite classes as any major school; however, the cost of JCC is drastically lower than any major state school. The navigators have helped me through life’s obstacles and guided me back on the right track to focusing on school and doing my best.

What are you most proud if?
I am most proud of my dedication to school, which led me to graduate high school in only three years. I also was nominated by the LPP team for a county wide leadership award and received the recognition in August. It was rewarding to have my hard work and leadership skills be recognized.

What advice do you have for current students?
To current high schoolers- ask questions when you are attending college visits!! Chances are, if you have the question, so does another student! Asking these questions and taking notes will help you when you are making final decisions about the college that you are going to attend!