ASHLAND — Not even out of the sixth grade, Makenna Ryan already knows she wants to go to college.
“I started thinking about college when I was 6. I’m going to grow up and be a lawyer and take care of my mom,” Makenna said Wednesday.
She was in just the right place to be thinking about college. Makenna and her classmates, the entire Hatcher Elementary School sixth grade, spent the day at Ashland Community and Technical College, touring all three campuses to find out what they can learn after they graduate from high school.
The children started their day at ACTC’s newest campus at EastPark and then swung by the Roberts Drive campus — what used to be Ashland Technical College —before ending their visit at College Drive, the former Ashland Community College.
College visits are commonplace for high school students, said Hatcher counselor Kevin Smith, whose previous position was at Paul Blazer High, but the career exploration excursion was a first for Hatcher sixth-graders. Smith sees the visit as a natural outgrowth of the school’s teaching. “We always push the concept that good grades equal success. This connects it with the real world,” he said.
Sixth grade also is the stage at which students begin to compile individual graduation plans, required of all Kentucky public school students for graduation.
Practically speaking, the visit shows the students the post-secondary choices they have in their own community and introduces them to some of their options and the mechanics of going to college. So in addition to seeing academic and career paths, they learned about paying for college and financial aid.
During a stop at ACTC’s Mansbach library, librarian Sara Brown showed them some research tools they can use right now and also showed them how to access library information on the web.
At the J.B. Sowards Theater, they learned about ACTC’s active theater program and the productions they are eligible to audition for.
The EastPark campus was a hit, especially with some of the boys, said teacher Kim Wilbur. “The boys were amazed with the welding and electrical and machine shops,” she said.
Some of the girls were, too. “I liked seeing welding, how the process is done,” said Elizabeth Ellison. Elizabeth said she’d consider becoming a welder, but she is keeping her options open — she also was intrigued by the culinary and cosmetology programs and was impressed by the library.
Smith, who meets with the students every week, told them to think about what they saw Wednesday. “We’ve seen a lot we’re going to talk about for the next 12 weeks of school,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kevin Goldy
-
Kevin Goldy
Discussion
Focus: Long-term goals
Hatcher Elementary School students tour Ashland Community and Technical College
- Local News
-
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.
-
Red Tails recommended
With sincere appreciation to their hosts, local military veterans whose service spanned World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan gathered at Kyova 10 Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a screening of the film “Red Tails.”
-
More updates coming to Boyd jail
While a nonfunctional fire alarm system has been fixed, the Boyd County Detention Center is now dealing with problems in another of its security systems.
-
APD probes early morning stabbing
Ashland police are investigating a stabbing in the area of 30th Street and Greenup Avenue early Tuesday morning.
-
Local briefs: 2/8/12
A Carter County man was killed Monday in an all-terrain vehicle accident.
-
3 indicted in grave-marker thefts
A Carter County grand jury has indicted three in connection with the December theft of metal markers from the graves of World War II veterans.
-
Boyd to save money with refinancing
The Boyd County Fiscal Court is planning to save money by refinancing a bond issued for work on the county’s jail and sewer system.
-
White-nose syndrome found in more Kentucky caves
The mysterious and deadly disease that has been killing bats for several years in the United States has reached more caves in Kentucky.
-
A haunted hunt for a hidden hundred
On the heels of a tremendously popular effort in Louisa, “the Scare Crew” from the Fallsburg Haunted House will begin its next Haunted Hunt for Cash in Ashland this week, starting with a clue on the organization’s Facebook page.
-
Minton asks for additional funding
With several circuit clerks seated behind him, Kentucky’s Chief Justice of the Supreme Court told a legislative budget subcommittee Tuesday the court system can’t retain entry-level employees because as soon as they are trained they’re hired away by the executive branch.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
