FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JOYCE GONZALEZ AT 203-332-5066
HCC GIVES KUDOS TO AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
BRIDGEPORT
-- For Alan Cesar of Stratford, a junior
at Bunnell High School, financing a college education became much more
understandable.
For
Annemarie Tompsen of Milford, a student at Jonathan Law High School, career options
for someone with her interests became much more apparent.
Both
were among some 43 students from area high schools who were honored
Wednesday, June 3 at Housatonic Community College for completing the
four workshops that comprise HCC’s Bridges college readiness
program. They were among those who took away from the program much
more than kudos and tangible awards
The
program, part of Housatonic’s achieving the Dream initiative,
offers area high school students four workshops that will assist them
with the transition to college. This year, students from Ansonia, Bassick,
Bunnell, Bullard Havens, Central, Harding, Jonathan Law and Platt Tech
participated. (Platt Tech students will be honored at a ceremony there
June 9 at 1 p.m.)
One,
workshop, Orientation to College, covers such crucial issues as the
benefits of a college education, costs and students have dealt with them, and
time management, including balancing work and leisure times. Another, Placement
Test Preparation, including the types of tests required and who must take
them.
A
third, Career Planning, covers “the perfect job,” the
importance and impact of education, higher education options, education
requirements for specific careers, and hot careers. It offers career
interest inventories that help students get their arms around careers
that may be of interest.
It was this workshop that Tompsen found most valuable. “It helped me narrow
own the list of possible careers.” She said. “Based
on the tests they gave, I found out that becoming a professor, editor
or journalist would be a good career for me.”
A fourth workshop, Financial Aid, covered the important topics of college
costs, applying for financial aid, the definition of need, and types of financial
aid available. It also compared financial aid by institution and covered various
types of scholarship scams.
It was this workshop that Cesar found most valuable. “I didn’t realize
how complex an issue this is,” he said. “It opened my eyes
to different ways you can finance a college education.”
Both were impressed by Housatonic.
“I really like the new building, Beacon Hall,” Tompsen said. “There
are a lot of places where students can relax and study. It’s
a relaxing environment.”
Cesar offered a similar sentiment. “I would consider going to Housatonic,” he
said. “I could save money. I was impressed by the faculty and
the quality of the new building and the technology.”
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu