Westlake High School Seniors take part in "Prepping for College Day"

Several college admission professionals stormed Westlake High School in Southwest Atlanta for their annual activity with the 12th grade students there. No, it wasn't a college fair. This was the annual "Prepping for College Day" that is held while the other grades are taking the PSAT.

Representatives from several Georgia Colleges and Universities including: Emory University, Dalton State, Clayton State, the Directors of Admission from both Spelman College and Andrew College and even a representative from the Iowa City based testing company, ACT, were on hand to help seniors think about the college application process in different ways.

"It is important that students meet people like this. Students have to realize that these professionals are also approachable human beings", College Advisor Cherise Ogle said. "Plus, it is not a bad thing that our students were networking and making connections as well”.

The day began with a breakfast catered by Waffle House and included some presentations by Westlake staff. Courtney Simon, Graduation Coach, described her role in helping students graduate and Roderick Fludd, School Counselor, went over the transcripts to empower students to ask questions about their credits needed to graduate.

Several parents were also on hand for presentations about college life, financial aid and actually saying "good bye" to the students. "I am so glad I came to this. College is the first thing on all of our minds at home", one parent commented.

"I'm glad so many parents were able to attend", Simon and Ogle said. "With our parents and our other partners working together with us, our students will be exposed to unlimited opportunities. That's what it's all about."