How a Virtual Colorado Senior is Preparing for Liftoff
Jun 2, 2025
Posted by redenergypr on May 26, 2025.
By Nicole Tiley, Head of School at Colorado Preparatory Academy and Pikes Peak Online School
An associate degree at just 17, a pilot’s license earned, and a resume that rivals NASA trainees, this online high schooler from Grand Junction is on a direct course to the stars.
Monique, a 17-year-old Grand Junction Senior at Colorado Preparatory Academy, is redefining what it means to be a high achiever. Monique is not your typical senior, because not only is she on track to graduate with the equivalent of an associate’s degree through her online school’s concurrent enrollment program, she’s also laying the foundation for a future among the stars.
As the current President of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club, Monique brings energy and experience to her role. After serving as Vice President and competing at the national level during her first year, she’s back in the spotlight this season, preparing for another round of state, and hopefully national, competition.
But Monique’s ambitions extend far beyond the boardroom. For the past five summers, she’s made the journey to Huntsville, Alabama, to attend space camp. From beginner programs to elite invite-only experiences, her time at camp has only fueled her dream of becoming an astronaut. Her dedication to this goal is meticulous: she’s built a personal checklist of skills and milestones based on real astronaut training requirements. Already, she’s checked off several monumental milestones including earning her pilot’s license through a prestigious program with the University of Tennessee and the Air Force and obtaining a heavy machinery license through her family’s development business.