Columbia High School’s Laterria Scott Set to Make History as First College Student in Family

Columbia’s Rising Star: Laterria Scott Set for College Success

As Columbia prepares to bid farewell to another group of high school seniors, one student, Laterria Scott, is standing out for all the right reasons. With graduation on the horizon this May, Laterria is not just completing her high school journey; she’s about to make history in her family as one of the first to attend college. This milestone means everything to her, as she dreams of making her parents proud. “This means a lot to me. I really want to make my parents proud because they weren’t able to do it, so I can do it for them,”

Support from Home

Laterria’s mother, Latasha Alston, is a tireless advocate for her daughter’s education and success. She shared her hopes for Laterria’s future: “I want her to get a good education, get a degree, and get a good job so she can be comfortable. I try to instill in her what education is.” Alston knows firsthand the value of education, especially since she didn’t have the opportunity to attend college herself. “Knowing I didn’t go to college and knowing that Laterria has the opportunity to is wonderful,” she expressed with pride.

A Solid Foundation

Before her time at Columbia High, Laterria developed her academic skills in Montessori programs at Logan Elementary and W.G. Sanders Middle School. Alston believes these programs have significantly contributed to Laterria’s success and independence. “She’s always been able to work by herself. Even when the pandemic happened, Laterria didn’t have a hard time because she was so used to working by herself,” her mother noted.

A Role Model for Her Sisters

Laterria isn’t just paving the way for herself; she’s also setting an example for her two younger sisters, who both attend high school within Richland One. They regard her as a role model and are inspired by her achievements. “They always congratulate me. Sometimes they will ask me for help with their work,” Laterria said, displaying a sense of family pride.

Balancing Responsibilities

The life of a high school senior isn’t necessarily easy, but Laterria is making it work. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is actively involved in the AVID program and concert choir. To add to her busy schedule, she works part-time at Firehouse Subs. She credits strong time management skills for her ability to balance school, work, and extracurricular activities. “If I know I’m going to be tired when I get off work, I do my work during school,” she said.

A Focus on Education

Despite her busy schedule, Alston has made it clear that education remains the top priority. She recently reminded Laterria, “Hey, I understand you want to work. You want to make your own money, but you need to focus on applications for college and school because this is your last year. You need to give it everything your last year.” Laterria is currently weighing her options for college and plans to study psychology.

Emotional Graduation Ahead

When the graduation ceremony arrives, it will surely be an emotional day for both Laterria and her mother. Alston humorously predicted, “There will be a lot of crying going on.” For this family, Laterria’s journey to college is more than just her academic achievement; it’s a significant milestone that reflects hope and dreams fulfilled.

As Laterria Scott continues to shine, Columbia can’t wait to see all the amazing things she will accomplish in the future!