RENO, Nev. (AP) - A home-schooled student was honored as the top
graduating senior at commencement ceremonies Saturday at the
University of Nevada, Reno.

Jennifer Miceli, 22, of Reno was awarded the university's Herz Gold Medal for achieving the highest cumulative grade point average - 4.0 - in her class of about 1,400 undergraduates.

The California native, who majored in health ecology, said she was anxious to experience college after being home-schooled since the second grade.

"Many people associated with public education nervously doubted
my ability to thrive in a social academic environment," Miceli said.

"Because of this, I was determined to be the best learner I could be throughout my college career, not only to get the most from my education and meet my own standards, but to show others that a home-schooled girl could hold her own," she added.

Miceli plans to remain in Reno to pursue a career in fitness training. She also is considering plans to pursue a graduate degree in exercise physiology.

"She has incredible character and knows what it takes to succeed," said Federico Guerrero, an assistant professor of economics at UNR.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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