PUHI — John Constantino, of Kaua‘i Community College staff, said the Find Your Future event on Friday was a lot about student life, or what students go through while pursuing education beyond high school.
Figuring out college can be daunting, and frankly, overwhelming. The sheer pressure of assessments, applications, finances, and just figuring out what one should do for the rest of their lives can keep some students from applying to college altogether, the college said.
More than 200 high school juniors and seniors, and 40 staff members from seven high schools on the island braved the inclement weather to converge at Kaua‘i Community College to experience the numerous opportunities that exist at the Puhi campus, which is a part of the University of Hawai‘i system.
“This is the first time we’ve had all of the high schools here at one time,” said Kailana Soto, a registrar at the college and one of the event organizers. “This event has been five years in the making, and we really hope to spark interest in the students about attending Kaua‘i Community College.”
Soto said her son was part of a similar college tour by Chaminade University that was broadcast on television news on Thursday night.
“He was really nervous,” she said. “Eventually, if we continue this program, we would like to reach out to the younger grades where students start thinking about what comes after high school.”
During Find Your Future, a group of 11th and 12th grade students were able to get hands-on with at least 11 programs, tour the college campus, and speak with Kaua‘i Community College staff about next steps, including relating jobs with the college experience.
The various programs offered their respective offerings under a carnival-style big tent where students were immersed in the different programs that included student life, financial aid, student government, the Waiale‘ale
Project, and extended to include the different fields like culinary arts, Hawaiian studies, early childhood education, nursing, and more.
Transition Specialist Keanna Pavao said the visiting students were able to preselect an area of study, which they got to explore in break-out groups.
These areas included automotive, botany and agriculture, business, carpentry, creative media, culinary arts, early childhood education, Hawaiian studies, HOST, marine sciences, medical assisting, nursing and CNA, and different science and engineering programs.
Pavao said students can look forward to a series of visits from Kaua‘i Community College staff through the remainder of the school year.
The visits will include assistance with college and financial aid applications, admissions and class enrollment, and first-year experience registrations.
“Essentially, high school seniors can have everything they need to attend KCC, including registering for classes, before they graduate high school,” Pavao said. “This way, they can enjoy their summer, then start at KCC in the fall with everything already taken care of.”
For more information visit kauai.hawaii.edu.
