THS junior will start UF

By Carrie A. Mizell

The adjective ‘determined’ best describes 17-year-old Rebekah Manbeck.
A junior at Trenton High School, Manbeck graduated with honors from Florida Gateway College on Friday evening with her AA degree. She has already been accepted into the University of Florida and plans to start her junior year of college at UF this fall, while also completing her senior year of high school at THS.
“It’s a first for Trenton High School,” said Mandy NesSmith, guidance counselor. “Rebekah set this goal while she was in eighth grade.”
The daughter of Krista and J.D. Perryman, Manbeck has already made the cheerleading squad for next year and also plans to stay actively involved in high school through drama and Beta membership during her senior year.
Manbeck plans to major in family youth community sciences at UF with a minor in psychology.
As of Monday, the Gilchrist County native had not scheduled her fall classes at UF, but she did say college officials want her to take a sociology class as a prerequisite possibly this summer.
“I’m very excited!” Manbeck said.
Though she didn’t start dual enrollment classes until the spring of her 9th grade year, Manbeck took summer classes to achieve her goal of graduating with an AA before finishing high school.
“I have never seen a more determined student,” NesSmith said.
Manbeck graduated from Florida Gateway College with a 3.6 GPA and said she took all of her classes online. It was while taking statistics that Manbeck actually had to travel to and from Lake City for testing.
“I just want to thank my mom,” Manbeck said. “Without her I wouldn’t have been so dedicated. She’s always there supporting me all the way.”