First-Generation, University-Bound Students Get Firsthand View of College

Fifteen seniors from Pattonville High School spent a week before school began getting ready for college during Pattonville High School’s sixth annual Pattonville College Academy.

Students were eligible for the program if they plan to attend college and their parents did not have four-year college degrees.

The program gave first-generation, college-bound students support and knowledge about the college planning and search process. It ran from July 29 through Aug. 2

Pattonville High School participants were:

• Teaira Banks
• Syeda Fatima
• Elizabeth Fincher
• Juana Gordillo
• Destiny Goubeaux
• Taylor Hartwick
• Victorio Maganda Lopez
• Matt Novack
• Jay Patel
• Lindsey Purviance
• Megan Sadler
• Mayte Santos
• Angela Schultz
• Jameelah Sidner
• Viktoriya Vlasova

The academy covered goal setting, college resume writing, how to compare colleges, how to start the college search, college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, letters of recommendation, and tips on writing essays and taking the ACT test.

Participants met with previous College Academy graduates, college admissions representatives and other experts during the week.

The academy finished with visits on the final day of the week to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis Community College (Florissant Valley and Meramec), Fontbonne University, Washington University and Maryville University.