LA HABRA : Middle-School Event Showcases Colleges

Guadalupe Dominguez and scores of classmates who participated in a college-day event this week at Imperial Middle School now are convinced that a college education is in their future.

“I used to think I can’t go to college because my parents don’t have enough money to pay for it, but I’m going to try because I think I can get help (scholarships) if I work hard,” Guadalupe said, after listening to Cal State Fullerton students Francis Diaz and Carolina Garcia tell of the struggles with money and other obstacles they overcame to go to school.

Also at the event, Cal State Fullerton drama students put on a play and athletes told about the university’s sports program; Fullerton College students performed a steel drum concert and explained the study of fashion design; UC Irvine pupils talked about student activities, and several local professors delivered lessons on science, history and other academic topics.

Students and professors also told the middle school students that they should begin thinking about a college education before entering high school and believe that they can receive a degree as long as they have the will to do so.

Many of the middle school students said they were motivated to go to college after the daylong event.

“You can do anything you want,” said Jessica Rios, 12. “I want to go to college.”

Getting the students to college was the aim of the event, said Imperial teacher Robert Caplinger, who organized the program.

“We wanted to introduce them to college now so they get themselves psyched up and know that college is a possibility,” Caplinger said.

School Principal Betty Bidwell added: “Many of my kids do not think college is a possibility for them, and we want them to start thinking that yes, it is.”