In 2011, Indiana student, Betsy Thompson, graduated with a high school degree and her CDA credential as well. Betsy and her classmates are among the first high school students in the country to take advantage of the removal of the "eighteen years of age" requirement to earn their CDA credential.

Last year, the Council removed the requirement as well as the high school diploma requirement. This change opened up the process for more eligible candidates like Betsy to earn their CDAs.

While she was finishing up with her last year of classes at Columbus East High School, Betsy was simultaneously attending classes 10 minutes away at Columbus North High School so that she could earn her CDA. She started the process in October, 2010 and took the test the following year in October, 2011.

Unbeknownst to Betsy, she would make history with this feat and serve as a trailblazer for many others to come, "It was really cool; I had no idea that we were one of the first until it happened." In recognition of her success, Betsy was presented her credential by Council CEO, Valora Washington, last week at NAEYC's National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development in front of her mother and a packed room of cheering ECE leaders.

Betsy is working towards her Associate Degree and in the future hopes to work in a preschool setting. Betsy has already started apply for child care jobs and says "I know that having my CDA shows employers that I am not only serious, but experienced too." Congratulations, Betsy!