(SPRINGFIELD, Ky.) – Washington County High School seniors Ashtyn Baker, Kailey Gabhart, Haylee Kelty, Kylee Lewis, Jacob Piasecki, Jon-Tate Smith, and Taylor Worthington, and juniors Madelyn Mackin and Kayden Lewis have each graduated from Elizabethtown Community & Technical College, earning associate degrees just days before they are set to receive their high school diplomas. The students were able to take college courses during their high school career and received their degrees at ECTC’s May graduation that occurred last week.

Ashtyn Baker, a senior who earned an Associate of Arts, says getting the degree was “kind of an accident." "I love learning and curiosity,” she said. “I first began taking classes to have a more structured version of independent study. I just kept getting more courses until eventually I was too close to not get my associate [degree].” She admits it was difficult to juggle it all, and says when she attends college in the fall, she plans to have a lighter class load. At WCHS, Ashtyn is a member of the National Honor Society, FFA, Beta and the Environmental Club. She also works as an intern at Springfield Main Street and serves as a Springfield-Washington County Chamber of Commerce student ambassador. She is also a member of the Washington County 4-H Young Riders Club. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky to study history and sociology. Ashtyn is the daughter of Jody and Tara Baker.

Ashtyn Baker

Kailey Gabhart, also a senior, who earned an Associate of Science, said she wanted to get a jump start on college and challenge herself. As a student at ECTC, she took lots of biology and science courses, focusing on those that fit her career pathway in animal/veterinary science. “It got very stressful at times, with normal in-school classes, dual credit and extra college classes at night and working most days after school and weekends,” she said. “But overall, it was nothing that I couldn’t handle.” At WCHS, Kailey is a member of FFA and Youth for Christ. She has been employed at Preferred Veterinary Care for over two years. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky to study animal science, and then attend Auburn University to earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Kailey is the daughter of Brian and Terry Gabhart.

Kailey Gabhart is pictured here at the recent ECTC graduation ceremony. (Photo provided)

Haylee Kelty, a senior, earned an Associate of Arts and said she wanted to try and get ahead of her plans for the future. While she took her basic courses, she also said she tried to focus on psychology-related courses. “It got tough sometimes, but I always tried to write everything out and plan so that it would end up being successful,” she said. At WCHS, Haylee is a member of DECA, Youth for Christ, is involved with WCTV and on the yearbook staff. She also participates in the Co-op Program and is employed at Springfield Nutrition. She plans to attend Campbellsville University and major in social work. Haylee is the daughter of Ryan Kelty.

Haylee Kelty is pictured here at the recent ECTC graduation ceremony. (Photo provided)

Kylee Lewis, a senior, who also received an Associate of Arts from ECTC, says she took her basic courses along with a few psychology and criminal justice classes, and said she wanted to be ahead when she starts college and also start her career sooner. “It got very overwhelming at times, but just knowing that I would be ahead kept me motivated,” she said. At WCHS, Kylee is a member of FFA, Youth for Christ, and the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky to study criminal psychology. She is the daughter of Dallas and Lee Ann Lewis.

Kylee Lewis is pictured here at the recent ECTC graduation ceremony (Photo provided)

Jacob Piasecki says he took mainly the basic courses, as well as several Advanced Placement (AP) classes that he found interesting, including environmental science and astronomy. “I wanted to challenge myself as I could to prepare for college,” he said. Earning an Associate of Arts, Piasecki says the workload was “definitely more rigorous than typical high school classes”, and required more of his time and dedication, but was “fairly manageable” with time management. At WCHS, he is a member of the Commander Cross Country team, the Commander Golf team, the Commander Tennis team, the Commander Track & Field team, serves as president of Student Council, president of the National Honor Society, and is an officer in the Environmental Club. He is also a member of the Beta Club and the National Art Honors Society, as well as the Academic Team and the Technology Student Association. Piasecki attended the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program the summer before his senior year. He is also involved in Washington County 4-H Shooting Sports and attended the 4-H National Congress, is a Kentucky 4-H Gold Achievement Award winner and serves as a Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador. Piasecki has been accepted into Columbia University, an Ivy League university in New York City, where he will major in sustainable development. He is the son of Joseph and Laura Piasecki.

Jacob Piasecki

Jon-Tate Smith, a senior who also earned an Associate of Arts, said it was a goal of his to obtain an associate degree while in high school. “While pursuing my associate [degree], the workload was not easy,” he said. “A lot of my classes were conducted online, working on my own as I paced through the assignments. It was a little challenging at times to not have the professor right in front of you to ask questions, but I quickly learned to stay in touch and communicate often to ensure all the assignments were getting completed correctly and accurately.” At WCHS, Jon-Tate served as the quarterback on the Commander Football team, point guard on the Commander Basketball team, third baseman on the Commander Baseball team, and a member of the Commander Golf team. He is also a four-year member of FFA, a member of Youth for Christ and the National Honor Society. He completed Washington County Teen Leadership and is an academic letterman. He participates in the Co-op Program and is employed by Smith Contracting and A&W Developments. Smith plans to attend the University of Kentucky in the fall and major in civil engineering. Jon-Tate is the son of Wesley and Abby Smith.

Jon-Tate Smith

Taylor Worthington, a senior, earned both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science from ECTC. “My goal has been to build a strong foundation for a future career in the health sciences, so I took courses that prepared me for that path while also challenging me academically,” he said. “Earning two associate degrees while still in high school has definitely pushed me to grow both as a student and as a person. The workload was very intense at times. Balancing high school classes, college coursework, assignments, exams, and extracurricular responsibilities required a lot of discipline, time management and sacrifice. At WCHS, Taylor is a member of Beta, participated in WC Teen Leadership and the Upward Bound Math & Science Program, and also participates in peer tutoring. He earned national certification in phlebotomy through the district’s partnership with Marion County Area Technology Center. At ECTC, he was member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He plans to attend the University of Kentucky to study health science and pursue a career as a physical therapist. “My long-term goal is to earn my doctorate in physical therapy.” he says. “I want to help people recover, regain independence and improve their quality of life, making a positive difference in others’ lives every day.” Taylor is the son of Adam and Angela Worthington.

Taylor Worthington is pictured here at the recent ECTC graduation ceremony. (Photo provided)

Madelyn Mackin, a junior, earned an Associate of Arts from ECTC. “I decided to work towards this degree to challenge myself, get ahead on my education, and take advantage of the opportunity to earn college credit while saving money,” she said. “This schedule required strong time management, as many assignment deadlines often overlapped.” Madelyn took courses not only through ECTC, but also through Kentucky State University and Murray State University. “Adjusting to the different expectations of multiple universities and professors was a major challenge, but it helped me become adaptable, organized, and prepared for future academic success.” At WCHS, she is a member of the National Honor Society, serves as an officer in FFA, and completed the WC Teen Leadership Program. Madelyn is also employed part-time at Maple Hill Bed & Breakfast. When she finishes high school, she plans to further her education at the University of Kentucky and go into dentistry. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Kim Mackin.

Madelyn Mackin is pictured here at the recent ECTC graduation ceremony. (Photo provided)

Kayden Lewis, also a junior, earned an Associate of Arts from ECTC. “I took classes based on what I would need for my degree. I want to be a Speech Language Pathologist for the NICU,” she said. “The workload was the right amount. At times, I thought it would never end, but I looked at the bright side and continued working for what I wanted.” At WCHS, Kayden is a member of FFA and will serve as the student advisor for the 2026-2027 school year. She is also a member of the Commanderette Volleyball team, the National Honor Society and completed WC Teen Leadership. She is also employed part-time at the BK Store. Kayden is the daughter of Nicole Maupin and Matthew Lewis.

Kayden Lewis is pictured here at the recent ECTC graduation ceremony. (Photo provided)

“Watching these students reach this milestone has been incredibly rewarding,” said WCHS Interim Principal Malissa Hutchins. “They have challenged themselves in and out of the classroom, balanced demanding schedules, and remained committed to their goals throughout the process. What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that each student found their own pathway and motivation for pursuing these degrees. Their success speaks not only to their academic ability, but also to their character, resilience, and drive. We are proud to celebrate this moment with them and are thankful for the opportunities our partnership with Elizabethtown Community & Technical College provides for WCHS students.”

“This accomplishment reflects an extraordinary level of dedication, discipline and perseverance from these students,” says WCS Superintendent Dr. J. Robin Cochran. “Earning a college degree while still in high school is no small feat, and we are incredibly proud of each of them for taking advantage of the opportunities available to them and setting themselves up for future success. We are also extremely grateful for our continued partnership with Elizabethtown Community & Technical College and the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. By working together, we are creating opportunities for students to challenge themselves academically, earn valuable college credits, and take meaningful steps toward bright and successful futures. These students represent the very best of Washington County Schools.”