On Tuesday, October 14, Ashe County High School participated in College for North Carolina’s “Countdown to College Week” with an event planned and organized by Ashe County’s Advise NC Next Step Adviser, Lorena Calvillo.
Present at the event were Ashe County GEAR UP Coordinator, Hope Gambill, ACHS Student Services Receptionist, Molly Porter, as well as Ms. Lucy Phipps, Dr. Meghann Roberts-Clawson, Ashley VanHoy from Wilkes Community College, Hannah Jones from Lenoir Rhyne University admissions, Lindsay Cotten from Appalachian State University admissions, and Wilkes County Community College Career Coach, Jennifer Glass.
Lorena organized a Q&A panel featuring Hannah and Lindsay, parents of current college students, and current college students themselves. Panelists answered questions about finding best-fit in a school, scholarships and financial aid, balancing school/life, and how to prepare for college applications.
Present on the panel was Mr. Dustin Farmer, principal of Ashe County High School. While speaking on the panel, Mr. Farmer stressed the importance of taking advantage of the resources available at the school for students.
“When my daughter said she didn’t know how she could [apply for college], I would tell her, ‘go see Miss Lorena,’” said Mr. Farmer. “Her and Miss Hope aren’t too far out of college themselves. They’re in it and they can help you through this process.”
The two students who participated on the panel were asked one thing they wished they knew when they were seniors in high school.
Major Kesterson, an ACHS graduate and current first year student at Appalachian State University, said he wished he’d slowed down and been more present in everyday moments.
“Enjoy every last second of senior year,” Major said. “Because this is the last time you’ll ever be in high school, and you’ll miss it.”
Alice Lazaro Rocha, a sophomore at App State, said that she wished she’d applied for more scholarships.
“A trick is that you can modify your essays and use them for multiple scholarship applications,” Alice said. She also echoed some of Major’s sentiments, and said she “wished she’d taken more pictures of her friends.”
After the panel were the breakout sessions. Lorena organized several sessions featuring topics like how to find and apply for scholarships, how to navigate financial aid, and a workshop that helped students and their families fill out and complete the FAFSA.
The most popular breakout session of the night was the scholarship presentation with Molly Porter. She explained the different types of scholarships, the differences between them, as well as how and when to apply for them.
Ashe County High School Countdown to College Event Hosted by Advise NC Next Step Adviser, Lorena Calvillo
Ashe County High School Countdown to College Event Hosted by Advise NC Next Step Adviser, Lorena Calvillo