Taste of College program inspires kids keep learning
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com February 1, 2012 7:28PM
Medical Imaging department chair Lynn Wiechert, (right) talks to Gurnee Grade School 8th graders Ashley McMillen (left) and Josh Howard about bones and imaging in her department. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 2, 2012 1:56AM
Woodland Middle School eighth-grader Patricia Dizon, 14, is lacking direction in her life. She is considering nursing or business college programs. Dizon of Gurnee will be the first in her family to go to an American college or university.
Dizon is one of 117 students participating in the Taste of College Program, which kicked off its first of four sessions Wednesday. A total of 72 students are from Woodland District 50 and 45 are from Gurnee District 56.
“I think it (the program) is good if there is anyone who doesn’t know what they want to do,” Dizon said.
The Taste of College is a collaborative effort among the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Woodland School District 50, Gurnee School District 56 and Warern Township High School.
The program targets students like Dizon who would be the first in their family to attend college. Wednesday was the first of four sessions which will be held at College of Lake County, DeVry University, Robert Morris University and University Center of Lake County. Courses will include subjects like surgical technology, medical assisting and business.
“We hope that the kids learn from this experience and are open to the idea of college. We’re hoping we can inspire them to do good,” said Nasima Patel, College of Lake County business services outreach coordinator.
Patel of Gurnee has been involved with the program five of its six years and said the number of participating eighth-graders has “definitely” been rising over the years.
“This is the first year we’ve had a waiting list,” Patel said.
This is also the first year the program will have a seminar for the parents about financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
“The whole point of the program is show them there is another option ... a lot of kids don’t consider college because they think they can’t afford it,” Patel said.
Many of the participating students never set foot in a college before they participate in the program, Patel said.
“This is an effort in the business community’s part to promote education and give them a taste of college at an early age. We’re just trying to get them excited about the cool things they can learn,” said Gurnee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Craig Hathaway.
The biggest struggle for the program is getting information into the hands of parents, Hathaway said. Efforts were stepped up to reach them, which seems to be working, he said.
The four-session Taste of College will end with a dinner for parents and students at the end of February. Students will receive a certificate of completion and parents will go through their seminar.
“It’s a great program ... the students always give us positive feedback,” said Woodland District 50 spokeswoman Jennifer Bova.
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