As an Evans High School freshman, C.J. Hendry chose not to limit her future college and career plans.

While most of her classmates selected either a college preparatory or a technical preparatory curriculum track, C.J. chose both.

"It just looks better in the end and it's something a little different," said C.J., now a 17-year-old senior.

Citing students' growing competitiveness for interest from college recruiters, C.J. said the dual certificates she will receive on her diploma gives her an edge.

"Anyway you can stand out a little more from someone else is an advantage," said C.J., who took all the courses of the college prep track and is earning her fourth credit this year for graphic arts to qualify for the dual-seal diploma.

Evans High Assistant Principal Chris Segraves called a dual diploma tangible evidence of a motivated and dedicated student.

"It doesn't allow them to take the volleyballs and weight-liftings and art classes that other kids are taking," he said. "Where a lot of seniors will kick back and take it easy in their last year, these folks have a focus on this throughout their whole high school career."

The dedication it takes to receive the dual-seal diploma is something college recruiters seek in prospective students, said Brian Roberts, the director of admissions and counseling services at Augusta Technical College.

"I think it reflects on the student that they are well-rounded and have a wide range of interests beyond a purely academic focus," he said. "They have that get-the-foot-in-the-door-of-a-career mentality."

Seeking a dual diploma gives students practical knowledge in their area of interest and adds academic rigor to their curriculum, Mr. Segraves said.

"If I was a college recruiter and I was looking at a student applying to come to my school, to see that they have a diploma with a dual seal shows a little bit more than just the average high school student," he said.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.