Preparing Central Coast students for college

Dozens of Central Coast high school students gathered at the Seaside Boys and Girls Club for a college resources fair Saturday.

The new event highlighted community resources and programs in Seaside and Marina High Schools to help students apply and get into college.

“I’m a little nervous, college is a whole new step,” said Monterey High School Student Kulia Osborne.

“You’re trying to find the best college and see if it requires all your needs and you’re also trying to get into programs that could help you out,” Seaside High School student Vanessa Valenzuela, said.

Kulia Osborne and Vanessa Valenzuela are two of dozens of students and parents who atteneded the event to gain clarity and resources.

“It really means a lot to me to get the support that I need to get an education,” said Valenzuela.

At the community day, students were able to visit different agencies to learn about everything from after school homework centers to academic advising and receive help with financial aid and scholarships.

“Many of our students don’t have access to privileges that the majority have throughout our country and so for me it’s about leveraging my own privilege and getting in there and providing access to different ideas and ways of learning, ways of being that they otherwise wouldn’t have exposure to,” said Christopher Hawthorne, Associate Director Imagine College.

Christopher Hawthorne hopes that will give them information they need to get into college, technical or trade schools.

“We’re here to help show students that this is an opportunity, you can do it, it’s real and we want you to succeed.”

Students and their parents tell KION they walked away feeling better about this life venture.

“A lot of good advice and a lot of pamphlets,” said Osborne.

Organizers are hoping to host another community day in the future.