TJ’s Future Center helps Spartans prepare for the big plunge.
Artwork by Rebecca Holt
Spartans looking to prepare for college and don’t know how, need look no further than TJ’s own future center, run by Tabitha Rocha.
Room 114 has become a second home to many seniors this year. “I think that Ms. Rocha is extremely helpful when it comes to applying to colleges and for scholarships. She is always willing to go the extra mile for you, and has helped me out so much in my process,” Senior Akaxia Cruz shares.
As a clearing house for everything college, the center boasts the ability to assist students in all of the following areas: college applications, scholarship applications, financial aid applications, resumes, college essays, registration for SAT and ACT tests, and coordination of college visits.
Any day of the week, any period of the day, the center is full of students eager to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them. “It helps me stay on track with my application process so I don’t get overwhelmed,” said Senior Kyle Caruthers.
The future center is not only for seniors. Rocha has tips for all grades. For freshmen and sophomores she recommends: “Focus on your grades during these years. Really, if students get good grades during these years, by the time they are seniors most of the work is done. Grades are crucial.” Rocha also states that campus visits are important in order to find a good personal fit.
Many experienced seniors speak highly of the TJ Future Center. Senior Becca Holt stated: “College is a milestone in a series of passages toward a successful life. Without that milestone, the success would not be so fully achieved, simply be shallow, or be made off of sheer dumb luck. And if Spartans keep rushing to the future center, there will only be bright futures for all Spartans.”
The center has been providing the expected results. Statistics for each graduating Spartan class are annually on the rise. The most noticeable is the percentage of those who went to four-year institutions: 2008-64.9% and 2009-67%. Along with that number, average ACT scores have risen .01 percent and the SAT average has remained stable. On the statistics, Rocha shared: “TJ has always been a great college-going school. Though, I am proud to say that with the introduction of the future center I have experienced an increase in college applications from out-going Spartans.” The increase in numbers can only mean an increase in success for Spartans, so TJ’s future center is truly here to stay.
