High Expectations Club

This year the Gear Up program at the West Union High School offered the first annual Club for 7th grade students.

She works full time at the West Union School and has worked with your student on other program events.

We held our first meeting on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 3:00p.m. This is an after school event and bus service will be provided at no cost.

We are meeting 15 times throughout the year. Your student will be provided with a folder, notebook, calculator, pencils & much more.

Our main focus will be to educate your child on preparing him/her for higher education after high school.

We encourage your student to be a part of something new for our school and have fun while they start to prepare for their future.

Five members of the High Expectation Club were selected to announce ads on C103. Working with Ken Smith advertizing agent for C103, club members shared helpful tips, such as, choosing a challenging high school curriculum, & taking the right courses. It is important to research a college that fits you, from community & technical colleges to small private colleges to large state universities. Investigate scholarships that are available. Research your eligibility for financial aid. There are several types of aid available including, grants, scholarship, loans, and work study programs. Take the appropriate test, such as the ACT or SAT because many colleges require or recommend students submit test results as a part of the admission application process. To learn more about how to prepare for colleges talk to a member of the Gear Up program. Beverley Holsted serves as advisor: Becky Cropper serves as the director. The Gear Up program provides tutoring after school, career & college counseling and learning technology assistance. Gear Up staff work closely with Amanda Myers, Jr. High Counselor and Troy Grooms, High school counselor. The ads will run during the girls/boys basketball tournament games through Trash and Treasure. Gear up Ohio campaign Knowhow2Go.

Cora Godwin, Jerrick Jones, Madison Gilbert, Zach Zimmerman, Bethany Humphrey C103 Ken Smith

Club members had the opportunity to tour the Xavier University Campus and the Local 12 News Station. They began their day having lunch

with college students at the James e. Hoff Dining Hall in the Cintas Center. Following our stay at Xavier, we traveled to the Local 12 News.

Students were treated to a tour of the station and met several news personalities.

Cammy Dierking, who served as the anchor on the day of our visit, allowed the students to view from the side as she presented the news live.

Cammy also permitted the students to help her sign off at the end of the broad cast, giving them the opportunity to be on TV.

Students discovered numerous career choices in the world of communications as a result of their experience.

High Expectations Club members tour the campus of Wright State University on February 19, 2008.

High Expectations Club members blasted off on a Mission to Mars on March 19, 2008. The mission took place at the Dayton NASA Challenger Learning Center located in Dayton Ohio. Students went throught the process of lift off and conducting experiments in a space shuttle simulator. Each student had a job to complete, as well as, those members who monitored the crew from mission control on Earth. All students had the opportunity to experience both parts of the mission. Pictures show some of the activities and participation of the club members.

Lindsey Mueller won a NASA patch from the Challenger Center for her award winning mission patch that she designed.

High Expectations Club members participating in the College Board Scavenger Hunt.

High Expectations Club members tour the State Capitol Building on March 19, 2008. They even had a visit from State Senator Tom Niehaus, who serves the Adams County District.

Standing on the Buckeye End Zone.......TOUCH DOWN for the High Expectations Club members.

A tour through the Food and Agriculture Building on campus. Students learned about the emulsification of ice cream from Senior Student Sherrill Cropper.

Etiquette-a program on social skills. Practice table manors and the correct way to set a table for a formal setting.

The next two pictures demonstrates how to dress for success, when being interviewed for an important position.

Students wrote letters to universities/colleges in request of materials about their campus.

The students of the High Expectations Club took part in a financial aid program. An important part of college plans in making decisions on how to fund their future and starting early. KnowHow2Go is a campaign that teaches younger students how to prepare for life after high school. They learned that maintaining a high grade point average and participating in extra curricular activities, along with community work and sports, help to achieve scholarships and grants.

Having a part time job and starting a savings account will be a great benefit in their future. Parents can help support their son/daughter's ambitions by filling out the FAFSA form which will determine the EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Financial aid support can also be obtained through loans.

Club members were taught that taking the ACT and SAT tests and scoring high will also provide additional support to the college or university of their choice. Even monetary gifts could be set aside in a savings account. There are work studies available, along with military and ROTC funding.

Each student received a "Pigs with a Purpose" bank and college advantage treasurer chest to encourage them to begin planning for there future.

The High Expectations Club was formed to give seventh grade students the opportunity to begin to focus on higher education beyond high school. Gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programming is the goal.