Driven. Focused. Always moving forward.
Permian High School junior Hadlee Zartner has never been one to wait for her future
to begin—she’s already building it. In December 2025, before she even walks the stage
at Permian High School, Hadlee will graduate from Odessa College with an Associate
of Science degree in Biology.
Her journey toward this achievement began in an unexpected moment during her freshman
year at PHS. When her father told her she could earn an associate degree through Odessa
College while still in public school, Hadlee immediately asked, half-joking, “Can
I do it in a year?” Looking back, she laughs and says, “I’ve always done everything
fast. I don’t know why—that’s just me.”
That drive has never slowed. Since that day, Hadlee has balanced a remarkable academic
load—Honors and AP courses, high school electives, and OC CORE classes. During the
week, she pours her energy into her high school coursework; on weekends, she dedicates
herself to her college assignments. “I don’t want to get behind,” she says. She has
also pushed ahead by enrolling in Midwinter, Maymester, and summer classes to stay
on track to finish early.
But Hadlee’s ambition doesn’t stop at academics. She is an athlete and a leader at
Permian High School, competing as part of the women’s basketball team while also participating
in multiple social and academic clubs that require significant community service.
One of the most meaningful experiences in her journey so far has been volunteering
at Medical Center Hospital. The time she spent supporting patients and staff strengthened
her conviction that she wants to pursue a career in medicine after completing her
bachelor’s degree. “I like everything about the hospital,” she explains. “I want to
help people, and I find medicine and the body fascinating. You can literally impact
someone’s life. You have to work as a team, and I know that I like being part of something
bigger than just myself.”
With her associate degree on the horizon and plans for medical school already taking
shape, Hadlee remains committed to another goal she set early on: finishing in the
top 10 of her graduating class at Permian High School. And, true to form, she’s right
on track.
Hadlee Zartner is proof that when passion meets purpose, the future opens early—and
shines bright.