Lake Oconee Academy is proud to celebrate junior Grayson Hooks, who has been accepted into the highly competitive Georgia Tech Dual Enrollment Program, becoming the first Titan in school history to earn admission to the prestigious program.

Georgia Tech's Dual Enrollment Program allows academically qualified high school students to enroll in rigorous college courses while completing their high school education. Admission is highly selective and reserved for students who have demonstrated exceptional academic preparation and readiness for university-level coursework.

Beginning this fall, Grayson will balance his junior year at Lake Oconee Academy while completing college-level coursework through the Georgia Institute of Technology, an accomplishment that reflects both his academic excellence, dedication, and his drive to pursue new challenges at the highest level.

When Grayson learned he had been accepted into the program as a high school junior, his excitement was immediate. "I wanted to run into the middle of the street and yell, 'GO JACKETS!' like the kid from the 1993 Mortal Kombat commercial," Hooks joked. "I was proud of myself because I knew how competitive this program is."

"This is a monumental accomplishment," said LOA High School Counselor John Noto. "Grayson has worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and we couldn't be prouder of him. Becoming the first Titan accepted into Georgia Tech's Dual Enrollment Program is an incredible achievement."

For Grayson, the acceptance represents both a personal milestone and an exciting glimpse into his future. A passionate computer science student, he looks forward to experiencing the rigor of college-level coursework while exploring his academic interests.

"I'm really excited to study computer science and experience what competitive college classes are like," Hooks said. "Just having this opportunity on my resume can open doors, whether I ultimately attend Georgia Tech or another university."

Grayson hopes to pursue a career in computer science, where he can combine creativity with technology by designing and building innovative solutions. While he plans to explore specific areas of study as he continues his education, he believes the Georgia Tech experience will provide valuable preparation for college and future career opportunities.

High School Principal Jerante Smith also celebrated the achievement. "We are incredibly proud of Grayson and this historic accomplishment," Smith said. "His acceptance into Georgia Tech's Dual Enrollment Program reflects the dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence we strive to cultivate at Lake Oconee Academy. We can't wait to see all that he accomplishes."

Adding another memorable moment to the achievement, Grayson shared the exciting news with his high school counselor on his 16th birthday, making an already special day even more meaningful for him and his family.

Reflecting on the accomplishment, Hooks hopes his experience encourages other students to pursue their own goals with confidence.

"You are exceptional as long as you are exceptionally you," he said. "Stand up for what you believe, love the people around you, be wrong, and stay right."

Lake Oconee Academy congratulates Grayson on this historic accomplishment and wishes him continued success as he begins his Georgia Tech coursework this fall.