It’s never too early to plant the seed about higher education in students, which is why our elementary schools take part in ‘College Day’ in January.
“It’s important to educate our young students early on to expose them to different pathways,” said Cohoes High School Career Education Coordinator Rebecca LaForest.
Last week Harmony Hill kicked off College Day on January 10; Van Schaick followed two days later. Abram Lansing has their date set for January 22.
Over a dozen former Cohoes High School students visited classes to discuss college life. Students learned many things such as: you need good grades to be accepted, you have to pay for college or get a scholarship, how to choose a major and what campus life is like.
CHS senior Carli O’Hara, who is enrolled in the Future Ready Pathways program, shared what it’s like to be a high school student taking classes at Hudson Valley Community College.
“College Day is very exciting at Van Schaick,” said VSGS Principal Jacqueline DeChiaro. “It’s always a proud moment for me when I get to see my former students walk through the door as college students and share their knowledge with our young students.”
To get into the spirit, both schools’ entryways were decorated with college pennants, and teachers and staff wore their college sweatshirts, as did the visiting college students.
A hand out of “guiding questions” was given to students to encourage conversation. Some of the questions were about choosing a roommate, what the dining hall food is like, what their favorite classes are and how high school prepares you for college.
They were even able to take a “virtual college tour” of Siena College, Union College, Hudson Valley Community College, and UAlbany.
“The goal of College Day is to introduce our students to the idea of future planning and provide them the opportunity to see how their interests, abilities and skills can lead them to college after graduation,” said Harmony Hill Social Emotional Coach Amie Maguire.
Not only did they learn all about college, but they also met the Tri-City Valley Cats and the Albany College of Pharmacy mascots!
Thank you to all of the college students who visited our young students: Madisyn Bullock (Russell Sage College), Nate Cunningham (Syracuse University), Claire De’Angelico (SUNY Oneonta), Jad Essoulaimani (UAlbany), Sofia DelPozzo & Julia DelPozzo (SUNY Oneonta), Jacob Frank (St. Bonaventure University), Josh Marer (D’Youville College), Emma Parker (University of New Haven), John Sencer (Hudson Valley Community College), Julia Szozda (SUNY Brockport), Austin Smith (St. Bonaventure), Sarah Thaqi (Siena College), Jedediah Trudeau (Dominican University) and Carli O’Hara, who will be attending Syracuse University in the fall.
Some of their majors include: heart surgeon, electrician, teacher, media studies, juvenile justice, criminal justice, fashion, physical therapy, recreation management, marketing, and management, to name a few.