YEC looks to get the word out about aid

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The school is seeking some scholarship help for its first graduating class.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — There are 44 seniors set to graduate from Youngstown Early College next spring.

They are the first graduating class in an educational experiment launched four years ago by the Youngstown city schools and Youngstown State University, and school officials want to be sure those seniors get a shot at financial help to continue their pursuit of higher education.

"We are looking for scholarship money," said Wanda Smith, YEC guidance counselor, noting that it seems like YEC is the forgotten school.

The program is new and, with its first graduating class just now in position, the school isn't on anyone's mailing list, said Marcia Haire-Ellis, assistant principal. That includes colleges as well as the ACT and SAT college testing programs, she said.

YEC hasn't even received any invitations to any college career fairs, Smith added.

Colleges and universities run their own scholarship programs and students who apply and are accepted all have an opportunity to apply for that financial aid.

YEC wants to make the private, local, regional and even national endowment and agency scholarship programs aware the school exists and that its graduates will be looking for help.

John Wilson, YEC's new dean, said there are some discussions regarding the creation of a Youngstown Early College Foundation which would be an internal scholarship program.

"We need to do what we can to get into the loop — get the word out there," he said, adding, "We're going to be much more proactive."

There are YEC students getting all As and Bs in their high school and college classes, Haire-Ellis said.

"We need scholarships for these students. They're ready. They want to get out there," Smith added.

"We've been under the radar screen. From here on out, we need to be on the radar screen," Wilson said.

About the school

The collaborative educational effort, housed in Fedor Hall at YSU, was created to provide a transition to college for bright but underachieving city school students who might not get that access in the traditional high school setting.

Students must apply and be accepted and attend for free.

Those who do well in their basic high school classes can go on to take college courses for credit, again for free. Physical education, sciences, business, math, social studies, language arts and other courses are available to them.

Smith said there are four seniors — TaQuaesa Toney, Cherise Benton and twin sisters Misti and Kristi Mraz — will have earned enough college credits by the end of this school year to be eligible for YSU's associate in arts degree.

All have grade point averages of at least 3.8.

"My mom and dad thought it was too good to be true at first," Kristi Mraz said, explaining that her family learned about the program while she and her sister were at Hillman Middle School.

They've had little trouble fitting into the campus setting.

"Sometimes we have to tell our professors we're high school students," Toney said.

The university's student center asked them to be tutors in biology because of their strong performance in that class, Misti Mraz said.

The young women all intend to go on to college pursuing degrees such as pharmacy and pre-med.

Pleased with their choices

Senior Faith Wilson said it was her mother who saw the letter announcing the creation of Youngstown Early College and asked her if she was interested.

Deciding to apply was a good idea, she said, explaining that she intends to pursue a double major in business and history at YSU.

"My parents thought it would be a good opportunity. I did, too," said senior Denis Robinson.

It's worked out well for him, he said, noting he intends to pursue a business management degree after graduation, although he hasn't decided where yet.

"I thought coming up on campus would be a good start for me, as a young man," confided senior Erick Preston, suggesting that YEC is the "best school in Youngstown."

He's interested in the University of Iowa for a chemical engineering degree and wants to play sports. He plays football, basketball and baseball for Chaney High School.

Senior Anthony Powell thought YEC would be something neat to try, and he's happy with his decision to apply.

He's done well and plans to attend Ohio University to major in sports management.

Senior Kaneisha Teemer said it was her older sister, with whom she was living at the time, who thought YEC would be a good fit for her.

Teemer admits she had some initial reservations about being able to fit in on a college campus while being only a freshman in high school.

Her concern turned out to be unfounded, she said, explaining that she's had no problems. She has her sights set on attending Bradford College in Pittsburgh to get a degree in pharmacy.

gwin@vindy.com

Monday, October 1, 2007