Few student athletes commit to play a college sport, and it is even more rare for a student to graduate early to pursue such opportunities. For senior Loren Hinkle, this rarity is about to become reality. Hinkle committed to Kansas State University to play Division I volleyball and decided to graduate early to begin training with the team as soon as possible.

Early graduation takes special circumstances and approval from different levels within the school district.

“The process starts off with a conversation with that student’s counselor to determine whether or not their reason for graduating early would meet the standards of what we would make an exception for,” said counselor and varsity volleyball head coach Lindsay Hothan. “Since Loren is going to play Division I volleyball and she’s signing to make a commitment, that request was approved for her to be there in January.”.

Because there are a certain amount of credits required to graduate from De Soto High School, there is also a lot of extra coordination that is necessary for the process of early graduation to meet credit requirements.

“To graduate early from De Soto, I first had to get approval from the superintendent, and then I had to double up on English and math credits [four of each are required for graduation]. It has taken a lot of planning, but I know it will be worth it,” Hinkle said. “Also, I knew it would be a good challenge to double up classes this semester to prepare me for a bit more of a college workload.”

For Hinkle, early graduation was the best option for her to begin training with the team at K-State and get prepared for her freshman fall season.

“I chose to graduate earlier because I knew it would help me get a head start on training for the 2019 fall season, and also so I can get a good feel for college life and not feel overwhelmed when we are in season,” Hinkle explained.

Hothan also believes it will be a good way for Hinkle to get involved with the team and begin training with them.

“I know she’s very eager to get there and start practicing with the team, because as soon as the fall season ends … they just begin preparing for the next. I know she wants to be a part of that preparation, and I’m sure she’s very eager to get there,” Hothan explained.

From a coach’s standpoint, it is exciting for Hothan to see Hinkle move to the next level after having Hinkle as a varsity player all four years at De Soto.

“I think she’ll be very successful at K-State. Loren has grown so much as a player and she can play literally any position, so I’m really excited to see where K-State will utilize her,” Hothan.

Hinkle is very excited and ready to begin her adventure as a college volleyball player after preparing for so many years.

“I’m so incredibly excited to play volleyball at K-State. It’s amazing to see all the hard work pay off, and being able to play at this high of a level with and against people I have played with in club is so cool,” Hinkle said. “I have always wanted to play in college, but it is so crazy that it is truly happening. It is so amazing to have the dream I have had since I was a little girl come true.”