Amidst Latino Heritage Month, the Office of Academic and Student Affairs and the Office of Institutional Relations-Multicultural Affairs sponsored Latino High School Day on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, in the MSC Ballroom from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The high school students were given a tour of the campus in addition to various lectures and workshops on admissions, financial aid, and scholarships.
Prairie View’s own students also were present to enlighten the high school students on summer programs, campus life, and campus involvement.
“Hearing the students made us feel more comfortable about what we were going to do,” expressed Waller High School senior, Crystal Talley. In addition, classmate Mercedes Gutierrez stated, “It gave us insight of what college life will be like.”
Not only did the high school students think Latino High School Day was a success, but the Prairie View students who participated shared those feelings. “Latino High School Day is one of the best ways to recruit Latino students,” informed Access representative Marco Ramirez. “It’s a good way to reach out to minorities in general, especially high school students to get them to come to college,” denoted Architectural Concepts Institute representative Claudia Pacheco.
Finally, high school teachers, counselors, and coordinators were present as well. “I think the entire day was very organized and very informational,” praised Alice Stewart, scholarship coordinator for Waller High School. “I think it should be continued. The speakers were very short and to the point,” she continues.
“The student speakers were very motivational, which made a good connection with the high school students; they held their attention very well,” explained Waller High School counselor, Judy Barnes.