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Amber Thorsen is a novelty finishing her senior year and freshman college year all in one!

"I have no regrets leaving LBHS to go to college," said Amber Thorsen of Cloverdale. She will be getting her senior year of high school in her freshman year of college at Johnson & Wales College in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Last year she attended Virginia Western Community College's school for Culinary Arts with the blessing of the Botetourt County School Division and with the help of Jonie Poff, secondary education supervisor. Thorsen loved the program and one thing lead her right to skipping the senior year-- she got a scholarship to Johnson and Wales. Her transfer was approved by the principal and the school board.

Thorsen is the first to try the program from LBHS. She will be living in downtown Charlotte and hopes to concentrate on pastry. "I love to bake cakes," she said. She will come out with a Bachelors degree from the school known for its culinary arts program and  one day may be a famous Chef!

Her parents and siblings are excited for her as well. She is also going to study abroad one year and who knows-- French cuisine? Italian? No matter the distance she will come back in the spring of 2010 and graduate with her LBHS class but will have the bonus of one year of college out of the way!