When Nixi Williams transferred to Early College Opportunities High School her junior year, she had her sights set on making the most of the dual college credit offerings available to her through ECO and the Santa Fe Community College. Nixi will walk across the stage to receive her diploma in May 2025 having earned 17 college credits in welding and three in computer science from Santa Fe Community College with a 3.5 GPA at SFCC. She plans to enroll in SFCC’s auto technology program next fall. Here is a profile of one of ECO’s super stars:
What career options are you considering? I’d like to go into auto tech and engineering. I want to learn to build a car. I like working with cars and have been driven to do so for a long time.
What are your goals after high school? I’d like to work for a bigger car company, like Nissan, where I can lock down my knowledge. I’d also like to start my own business.
What is your dream job? I’d like to be a professional race car driver. I also have a lot of interest in industrial design.
How did ECO help you achieve your goals? When I transferred to ECO, it gave me the opportunity for a lot of one-on-one learning in the trades and to take advantage of the opportunities for college credit with SFCC. It is more personal and has small classes with more teamwork.
What was your favorite project while at ECO? In auto body class, I liked fixing a bumper all the way to repainting it. It was pretty fun.
Who were the teachers or adults that influenced you the most? Chris Coriz (auto body teacher), John Seymour, (auto tech teacher), and Manny Kavanaugh, (welding teacher) all influenced me along with Diane Pierce, (dual credit adviser) and Melanie Kolbye, (Student Engagement Coordinator) who really supported me.
What class inspired you the most? Welding inspired me because it’s so strenuous and detailed. It made me really focus so I could push myself further.
What are your interests outside of school? I like music, especially piano, saxophone and jazz.
What is something that makes you smile? My friends and family.