Some students are getting ready for college, a couple years early.
Sixth-graders from Kansas City Public Schools took some time to visit a Metropolitan Community College campus, either MCC-Penn Valley or MCC Business & Technology.
"Research shows that 6th-grade is a very influential time in these students lives," Associate Dean of Student Development for MCC - Penn Valley Terrell Tigner said. "It's a good time to expose them to higher education, some of the career opportunities and things that are out there for them, let them know that 'yes, you can go to college.'"
The two-day event is apart of Kids2College, a nationwide initiative encouraging young students that higher education is possible.
"If it's involving costs, if it's involving just fear or doubt, that no, this is possible," Tigner said on higher education. "There are people here just like you growing up that have accomplished their dreams and goals and it's a possibility for you."
For 6th-grader Kaylin Collins she says it's an opportunity to experience education after she leaves Garfield Elementary.
"School just doesn't stop at 6th-grade, school goes on for the rest of your life and you learn everything and it's something new everyday," Collins said. "By coming here, I think that we'll learn that it's really important to be in college and it's really important to stay in school so that the things that we want to do, we can actually do when we grow up."
"Being here today is amazing, and if I come back here I'll have enough knowledge that I build up to come here," Troost Elementary 6th-grader Alijah Giles said. "It's a privilege for us to come to this. And we got the privilege because we're smart enough to do it."
MCC administrators hope these lessons and activities will leave encouragement for these young students as they continue their education.
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Rae Daniel can be reached at Rae.Daniel@KSHB.com.
