TJ’s senior bridge night aims to answer many questions.
Artwork by Heather Larson
As seniors reach the end of their high school journey, some do not know what to expect after graduation. Future Center Counselor Tabitha Rocha has organized an evening on Thursday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. in which TJ grads, college advisors, and admission officers will answer any questions current seniors may have about that transition, at TJ’s Senior Bridge Program.
Throughout the senior year experience, parents and faculty are frequently reminding students of their deadlines to turn in college applications, FASFA information and applications, and scholarship applications; students constantly need to apply themselves for their future. But the question still remains: what happens when those crucial steps for the future have been completed, the student has been accepted into college, and graduation is over? “The whole point of this event is to be a very informational meeting on that difficult transition into college, what to expect over the summer, and what is awaiting you in the fall,” Rocha said about her planned evening. “I remember my transition into CSU was difficult. I had absolutely no idea what to expect, as I was the first in my family to go off to school. It would have been nice to have known what was ahead for me.”
With the idea of being able to make a smoother transition for the outgoing seniors, Rocha was able to persuade past TJ grads and college admission officers to come speak to students and inform them of the many must-know essentials for the upcoming fall, as well as answer even the smallest questions graduating seniors may have.
As many students have not sorted out all of their money difficulties and needs for financial aid, there will be financial aid workers at the Resource Fair occurring before the main event, as well as many other foundations just waiting to answer questions about a broad array of topics, including the US Bank, Student Housing, Study Abroad programs, Academic Support, and College Invest. A representative from the Hispanic and Black Student Union will also be present.
One of the more anticipated parts of the evening is the fact that 2007 and 2009 TJ graduates will be coming back and giving their words of advice, having experienced that transition first hand. Student speakers include Savanna Rooney, Joey Scarlett, Krystal Joy Kelley, Ryan Wyckoff, Mariah McCrea, and Nicholas Kaufhold, who is also now a college representative and Key Ambassador at CSU.
Throughout the night the hope is for students and parents to just get a better understanding of how the process of the next five months works, and how it is all going to pan out. Rocha hopes this event will make that murky, unknown span of the upcoming months have a little more light and understanding behind it.
On April 22, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. the meetings will all begin in the auditorium at TJ, and the Resource Fair will begin at 5:30 right in front of the auditorium.
