The son of an American businessman and a Japanese mother, Millard Fore, 18, lived the first half of his life outside the United States, first in Singapore, then in Thailand.

After coming to the United States in the sixth grade, Millard said we went through a bit of culture shock.

"I'm actually really glad that I got to see both sides, because a lot of people here only see one side of society, which is the American side," Millard said.

Millard expects to go through a similar sort of shock as he makes the move from high school to college. Fortunately, Millard's second transfer will go a bit more smoothly than the first, thanks in large part to his school, Middle College High School, which is set on the San Joaquin Delta College campus.

Millard will graduate from Middle College as one of the top two students in his class. In the fall he will attend University of California, San Diego to major in computer science.

Millard came to Middle College at the start of his freshman year.

Because he lives one street over from Lodi High School, his friends from Lodi High often asked why he decided to travel to Stockton to go to school instead of just crossing the street.

But Millard says that he's still really glad he took the extra time each day to go to Middle College.

He said that having a small group of teachers has allowed him to develop a rapport with them that maybe he couldn't get at a larger high school. He can joke and laugh with them, and also turn to them for advice when he needs it.

"To me they were more than teachers really," he said.

Another advantage to going to Middle College, Millard said, is the close knit group of high school students who study on the Delta College campus.

"I know every single senior on a personal level," Millard said. "I really love just being around my classmates every day."

However, being so close with the student body hasn't always been easy.

As a member of the Honor Tribunal, a small court system composed of student justices, Millard must decide how to discipline wayward students.

He views the system and his efforts not to play favorites in the tribunal as a learning experience.

"It's like a first step toward life, you know," Millard said. "You've got to be objective."

After college Millard plans to go to grad school, then travel and see the rest of the world.

It's worked well for him so far, so he might as well continue.