Last May, Grand Rapids teen Savannah Remijn concurrently received her high school diploma and college degree in legal studies by taking advantage of dual enrollment through Davenport University. She plans to head to Liberty University School of Law next fall.
By Julie Freer
Legal News
Graduating from high school and college in one fell swoop was not something Savannah Remijn set out to do, but as she was progressing through her secondary education as a homeschool student, the possibility felt within reach.
Remijn’s mom, Amy Remijn, was an academic advisor for Davenport University in Grand Rapids before starting a family with her husband, Matt, and has always been passionate about education for Savannah and her two younger sisters, Remijn says.
It was her family’s support, and her own dedication to her goals, that enabled Remijn to not only graduate from high school and college last May, but also secure a law school scholarship. She will head to Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, Va. in the fall of 2026.
Remijn was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area and began her education in private school as a Spanish immersion student until fourth grade, when she switched to a homeschool cooperative. She thrived in the homeschool environment.
“This format cut out a lot the ‘empty time’ I experienced in school,” said Remijn. “I was able to complete my work a lot faster, my understanding was better, and once I was done, I had time for extracurricular activities. The format was very customizable, which I would say fostered an eagerness for continuous learning, especially when I was retaining information so much better.”
During her freshman year of high school, Remijn started dual enrollment classes – first through Arizona State University, then through Davenport University – which allowed her to simultaneously earn credits towards her high school diploma and a college degree.
“I started off taking only a few classes, gradually starting more as I became accustomed to them,” said Remijn. “Eventually, I sat down with my mom and she laid it out for me saying, ‘If you want to, you could try for your bachelor’s degree.’”
Over the next few years, Remijn utilized a combination of homeschool co-ops, online dual enrollment classes, and accelerated, seven-week summer courses to fulfill the requirements for her high school diploma and her bachelor’s degree in legal studies.
Though the program might seem daunting to some, Remijn said she fully enjoyed her high school experience, doing all the things “typical” high-schoolers do like dating, hanging out with friends, and attending sporting events. Flexibility was key to fitting it all in, she said.
“I learned to be flexible where and when I could, but not compromise when I knew I couldn’t, which was super helpful in allowing me to do most of the things I wanted to do while still making sure I was accomplishing everything I needed to,” said Remijn.
When she first started the dual enrollment program, she was interested in engineering.
“The logical aspect of it appealed to me, and I found what I knew of it to be interesting,” said Remijn.
After taking a few engineering classes, she decided it wasn’t for her after all and pivoted to legal studies.
“I had an interest in the law long before I decided to pursue it, which probably started when I got to participate in a mock trial in middle school,” said Remijn. “Things kind of escalated from there. I found my legal studies fascinating, which made learning it, even when it was difficult, more interesting and exciting.”
As a part of Davenport’s bachelor’s degree in legal studies, Remijn interned at Parakletos Law, an estate planning and family law firm in Hudsonville, southwest of Grand Rapids.
“I loved interning at Parakletos and I learned a lot,” said Remijn. “I helped with all types of things, primarily relating to estate planning and family law. Tasks included drafting estate planning documents, assisting with signing ceremonies, and drafting divorce pleadings.”
Remijn took the LSAT last January and learned in March she was accepted, and had a scholarship offer, to Liberty University, her first-choice law school.
“I did have to apply for a minimum age exemption, essentially proving that I was qualified to take the LSAT, even though I was under 18,” said Remijn, who said that receiving the scholarship offer to Liberty was “a huge blessing.”
Remijn made the decision to defer her acceptance to law school for one year and is currently working as a full-time legal assistant at Mika Meyers in Grand Rapids to gain some real-world legal experience and prepare for law school.
“I am really appreciative of all the hands-on experience I have gained while working [at Mika Meyers] and of all the exposure I have had to the different processes and procedures,” said Remijn. “I assist with a few different practices, which gives a better understanding of the different types of law. Both of my bosses are great, which is also a huge plus.”
In her downtime, Remijn enjoys horseback riding, reading, and swimming. What is she most looking forward to about a career in the law?
“Being able to use the gifts I was given to show God’s love to people in some of the most challenging parts of their lives,” she said.
For other students considering dual enrollment programs, Remijn said the bottom line is that you don’t have to give up your childhood if you choose an accelerated learning path, it just takes work.
“Don’t be afraid to try it!” she declared.
Legal News
Graduating from high school and college in one fell swoop was not something Savannah Remijn set out to do, but as she was progressing through her secondary education as a homeschool student, the possibility felt within reach.
Remijn’s mom, Amy Remijn, was an academic advisor for Davenport University in Grand Rapids before starting a family with her husband, Matt, and has always been passionate about education for Savannah and her two younger sisters, Remijn says.
It was her family’s support, and her own dedication to her goals, that enabled Remijn to not only graduate from high school and college last May, but also secure a law school scholarship. She will head to Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, Va. in the fall of 2026.
Remijn was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area and began her education in private school as a Spanish immersion student until fourth grade, when she switched to a homeschool cooperative. She thrived in the homeschool environment.
“This format cut out a lot the ‘empty time’ I experienced in school,” said Remijn. “I was able to complete my work a lot faster, my understanding was better, and once I was done, I had time for extracurricular activities. The format was very customizable, which I would say fostered an eagerness for continuous learning, especially when I was retaining information so much better.”
During her freshman year of high school, Remijn started dual enrollment classes – first through Arizona State University, then through Davenport University – which allowed her to simultaneously earn credits towards her high school diploma and a college degree.
“I started off taking only a few classes, gradually starting more as I became accustomed to them,” said Remijn. “Eventually, I sat down with my mom and she laid it out for me saying, ‘If you want to, you could try for your bachelor’s degree.’”
Over the next few years, Remijn utilized a combination of homeschool co-ops, online dual enrollment classes, and accelerated, seven-week summer courses to fulfill the requirements for her high school diploma and her bachelor’s degree in legal studies.
Though the program might seem daunting to some, Remijn said she fully enjoyed her high school experience, doing all the things “typical” high-schoolers do like dating, hanging out with friends, and attending sporting events. Flexibility was key to fitting it all in, she said.
“I learned to be flexible where and when I could, but not compromise when I knew I couldn’t, which was super helpful in allowing me to do most of the things I wanted to do while still making sure I was accomplishing everything I needed to,” said Remijn.
When she first started the dual enrollment program, she was interested in engineering.
“The logical aspect of it appealed to me, and I found what I knew of it to be interesting,” said Remijn.
After taking a few engineering classes, she decided it wasn’t for her after all and pivoted to legal studies.
“I had an interest in the law long before I decided to pursue it, which probably started when I got to participate in a mock trial in middle school,” said Remijn. “Things kind of escalated from there. I found my legal studies fascinating, which made learning it, even when it was difficult, more interesting and exciting.”
As a part of Davenport’s bachelor’s degree in legal studies, Remijn interned at Parakletos Law, an estate planning and family law firm in Hudsonville, southwest of Grand Rapids.
“I loved interning at Parakletos and I learned a lot,” said Remijn. “I helped with all types of things, primarily relating to estate planning and family law. Tasks included drafting estate planning documents, assisting with signing ceremonies, and drafting divorce pleadings.”
Remijn took the LSAT last January and learned in March she was accepted, and had a scholarship offer, to Liberty University, her first-choice law school.
“I did have to apply for a minimum age exemption, essentially proving that I was qualified to take the LSAT, even though I was under 18,” said Remijn, who said that receiving the scholarship offer to Liberty was “a huge blessing.”
Remijn made the decision to defer her acceptance to law school for one year and is currently working as a full-time legal assistant at Mika Meyers in Grand Rapids to gain some real-world legal experience and prepare for law school.
“I am really appreciative of all the hands-on experience I have gained while working [at Mika Meyers] and of all the exposure I have had to the different processes and procedures,” said Remijn. “I assist with a few different practices, which gives a better understanding of the different types of law. Both of my bosses are great, which is also a huge plus.”
In her downtime, Remijn enjoys horseback riding, reading, and swimming. What is she most looking forward to about a career in the law?
“Being able to use the gifts I was given to show God’s love to people in some of the most challenging parts of their lives,” she said.
For other students considering dual enrollment programs, Remijn said the bottom line is that you don’t have to give up your childhood if you choose an accelerated learning path, it just takes work.
“Don’t be afraid to try it!” she declared.
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