EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS OFFERED OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN PLANNING NOW FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

Eighth grade students and their parents from 18 middle schools in the Iowa Lakes Community College area are invited to attend a session which will give those individuals tips on how to plan ahead for college.

The event was established to help educate students so they can make all of their high school years as valuable as possible. The idea is to update the students before they enter high school.

Participants will learn what colleges require for admission as well as tips on how to begin to plan financially for college. Other topics include how to write and apply for scholarships and other assistance available to students (such as Upward Bound and Talent Search) in preparing for a successful college experience. A college student panel will be featured this year so those attending can hear directly from students about the most valuable steps they personally took before entering college.

One other step eighth-grade students may want to consider is signing up for college classes while they’re still in high school. While the individual schools have different requirements for the students, many classes are available to high school students. Attendees will discover what opportunities are available for taking these courses.

"Preparing the Way for College" will be held at the Estherville Campus Student Center (The Max) on Saturday, Feb. 17, starting at 10:15 a.m. Free pizza and Pepsi will be served at lunch. Participants are encouraged to stay after the event and attend two free college basketball games as the Laker Men and Women take on Kirkwood Community College. Times of the games are 2 and 4 p.m. and the admission is free to the entire family.

This is the fourth year for the event. In addition to students and parents, school principals and guidance counselors are welcome to attend the event.

Also included in the day’s events will be a drawing for two chances at $500 scholarships to Iowa Lakes Community College and various college logo items.

"We want to make sure our youth take advantage of these opportunities and we want to assist them in any way we can," said Nate Hansen, Admissions Counselor and organizer of the event.

To make a reservation, contact Susan Thompson at 1-800-242-5108 ext. 5213, by Tuesday, Feb. 13.