Students Participants from Eight Local Schools Sought for Career and College Planning Program

(November 28, 2007 - Littleton, Colo.) The south metropolitan Denver TRiO Educational Talent Search (Talent Search) program, a federally funded program providing college planning activities and counseling to students from eight local middle and high schools, is seeking new participants. Students enrolled in the Talent Search program must be in grades six through twelve and attend school at Sheridan Middle School; Sheridan High School; Englewood Middle School; Englewood High School; Kepner Middle School; Kunsmiller Middle School; John F. Kennedy High School or Abraham Lincoln High School.

"TRiO" is an umbrella term the U.S. Department of Education uses to refer to a variety of grant-funded outreach programs designed to motivate and support students; including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Talent Search identifies and assists individuals who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to the college or university of their choice. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in the postsecondary education institutions of their choice. Student activities include tutorial services, career discovery, aptitude assessments, academic, career and financial aid counseling, mentoring programs, workshops and exploring colleges and universities. The south-metro Talent Search program is housed at Arapahoe Community College.

All TRiO services are free of charge to the students and families who participate. Many students who are beneficiaries of the Talent Search program include those from lower income families and those who will be the first in their families to attend college, as well as those who need extra assistance with career exploration.

"If you know a student who could benefit from additional academic support, guidance with career exploration, exposure to different occupations through hands-on, career exploration field trips, or is motivated to go to college, we can help," says local Talent Search Director, Shannon Westermeier. To receive an application, please stop by the TRiO/Educational Talent Search Office in Room M2320 of Arapahoe Community College's Main Building at 5900 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, or call Virginia Rodríguez at 303.797.5987. "We look forward to hearing from new participants soon and se habla Español," concludes Westermeier.

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