Juniors and Seniors
The east hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center was packed with Lowry High School juniors and seniors as they made their way around booths set up by colleges and employers for the college and career fair held on Thursday, Nov. 6. Students clutched brochures and fliers and picked up all kinds of swag given out as token reminders of each business or school.
Representatives from schools and employers set up displays and waited for students to ask the important questions. About 15 colleges and universities sent people as well as local businesses and government agencies.
William Reichard, an admissions representative from WyoTech in Laramie, Wyo., said he had spoken to many Lowry students and had scheduled an interview with one. WyoTech is a technical school with programs in marine, collision, motorcycle, diesel and other trades, and has campuses in Long Beach and Fremont, Calif., Daytona, Fla. and Blairsville, Penn.
Women In Mining representative Sharon McAllister said the Lowry boys seemed to steer clear of her booth. She said all students, who meet the criteria, are eligible to apply for Women in Mining scholarships - including boys. Women in Mining is a nationwide mining organization with a chapter in Winnemucca.
Leonard Madrid, a junior, said he was interested in pursuing a career with the Army. The recruiter, said Madrid, answered all his questions and he liked what he heard.
Navy recruiter Chief Dasan Bulls said students like Madrid, and especially seniors, are at a crossroads in their young lives and wonder if they should choose to go to school or just go right to work.
"The great thing about the military is we can offer them the best of both worlds, a career and an education," said Bulls, who is stationed in Fallon. Bulls said a student could learn a trade while enlisted, and then be able to pay for school with the G.I. Bill once they are discharged.
Bulls said there were some misconceptions about the military. Not everyone is involved in active combat, as there are many support positions. Another myth is the tale of the shady recruiter who offers a job flying jets and you end up peeling potatoes.
"They can't do that," said Bulls. "If you sign up for a particular field, that's the field you go in."
For some, peeling potatoes sounds rather interesting because those potatoes might turn into a culinary masterpiece. Forrest Lisenbee, also a junior, said she picked up a brochure from the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute where she might pursue a job that allows her to be creative.
Maddie Grady, another junior Buckaroo, said she thinks she might go to the University of Nevada in Reno and major in photography. She said UNR had a good photography program, and she thought she might minor in journalism.
If her grade point average is at least a 3.25, Grady could be eligible for the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship which provides $10,000 for Nevada students attending an in-state school. While Grady said she hadn't heard of the scholarship, she said she would check it out.
Freshmen and Sophomores
It's never too early for high schoolers to think about post-secondary education. In fact, it's better for freshman and sophomores to start planning on attending college now - when they have time to do something about poor grades or a lack of community service or extracurricular activities. That's the stuff that looks good on applications.
Todd Milton, Lowry High School counselor, spoke to about 60 parents on Wednesday and Thursday evening of last week, and said many students are just not prepared to apply to colleges and wait until it's too late to take action.
For example, a senior with a 2.5 grade point average and with plans to attend UNR for fall semester will be sorely disappointed when they learn UNR has a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 for incoming freshman.
"I'm not saying you can't go to UNR, but you'll have to take a different route to get there," said Milton. He said he wanted students to do a reality check, and realize that what they do now will have an effect on them in the future.
Parents need to take note, as well, said Milton, and keep kids on track.
Roxanne Hardy, career counselor at Lowry, advised students to keep a record of their extracurricular activities as well as any community service work they may do. When it comes time to write college application essays, this list could be invaluable. The list can help writers of letters of recommendation, too.
In addition to college prep, Milton informed the parents that students can earn college credit at Great Basin College while still in high school. Dual credits can save families hundreds of dollars, perhaps thousands.
Students receive a taste of college life, while still under the auspices of their parents. The smaller class sizes at GBC can help students adjust to the rigor of college classes and still receive personalized attention from the professor. The classes can even be taken during the regular school day, so night classes may not be necessary.
Lisa Campbell, director of GBC, said college is attainable for everyone who wants to go.
"Start now," said Campbell. "Say, 'I'm going to college.'"
Campbell said freshman and sophomores should begin by exploring colleges and careers. Students should also focus on their grades and start building a portfolio of work. She advised students to take the right classes to be college ready and to work with their school counselors.
Students and parents should also plan on how to pay for college, said Campbell, by attending the financial aid information night and investigating scholarships.
Milton acknowledged that college is not for everyone. But those students who plan on joining the workforce right after high school might also benefit from a technical or trade school. Students receive hands-on training and practical knowledge that readies them for their chosen career.
Contact Stephanie Morton at s.morton@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
