Getting ready for life after high school

RHS guidance counselor Tiffany Warhurst (standing) helps RHS senior Allie Mitchell fill out a college application form.

Local high school seniors are almost halfway through their final year and many students have already been thinking about what they will do once they graduate and set off into the real world.

For some high school students, going straight to work is the option they will choose. For others, a technical school or program is where they have set their sights. And for many more, pursuing a college degree is at the top of their list.

For those who are interested in pursuing a college degree, application deadlines are quickly approaching, so to help these students meet the deadlines and pursue a higher education, several local high schools participated in the Alabama College Application Week Campaign, which was sponsored by the Alabama State Department of Education on Nov. 3-7.

One of those schools was Russellville High School where 10^th – 12^th grade guidance counselor and event site coordinator Tiffany Warhurst said 87 out of 140 seniors participated in the event and submitted 125 applications.

“As part of the Alabama college access initiative, Russellville High School staff as well as volunteers from local community colleges and universities worked with our seniors to complete and submit at least one college application,” she said.

“The goal of the program is to get more students applying to Alabama colleges early in their senior year. During this event students could apply to any of Alabama’s 30 community colleges, 14 independent colleges, and 14 public universities that they might be interested in.”

Phil Campbell High School also participated in the campaign on Nov. 3.

PCHS guidance counselor Wanda Lemay said they had 38 seniors who participated in the event.

“The college application process may be a barrier to some high school students pursuing postsecondary education due to an absence of information or support,” Lemay said.

“Phil Campbell High School is working to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of the 21^st century.”

According to Lemay, obtaining a postsecondary degree has been linked to higher income, better health, and increased community involvement.

The American College Application Campaign is a national initiative that is an effort of the American Council on Education.

In 2013, the ACAC had 39 states participate as well as the District of Columbia. The Alabama State Department of Education piloted the Alabama College Application Campaign with 10 Alabama public schools and had 1,173 seniors who participated and 1,803 college applications submitted.

Warhurst said she would like to thank Family Pharmacy Group and Walmart for helping sponsor the event at RHS, and Northwest-Shoals Community College, the University of Alabama, and the University of North Alabama for donating several giveaway items.