On Oct. 8, students at Valley Central Middle School and High School had the opportunity to take a closer look at their future during the annual College Fair. The event brought together representatives from colleges, universities and military branches, allowing students to explore educational pathways, ask questions and learn more about opportunities after graduation.
Jessica Forte, a school counselor at Valley Central High School, said the event is an annually anticipated event for all involved..
“The college fair is something that our students, faculty and the college reps look forward to every year,” Forte said. “It’s always a huge success. Every year, it gets stronger and stronger, and we have more attendance.”
Timothy Backus, executive director of The Capital Area School Development Association CASDA, said the event is valuable for Valley Central students.
“It’s a great opportunity for the students here at Valley Central to have exposure to over 70 colleges, also branches of the military,” Backus said. “I can tell you this: We do college fairs from Peekskill to Hudson Falls. This is the largest day fair we have.”
For 11th-grade student Hayela Gourdet, the fair provided an opportunity to learn more about her top college choices: the University of Connecticut and the University at Albany. Both schools align with her academic interests and career goals, making the event a valuable chance to connect with representatives and gather information about each institution.
“I feel like this fair helped me get a feel for the colleges I’m interested in,” Gordet said. “They helped me understand things like pricing and housing, as well as what career paths I could pursue and which majors would prepare me for them.”
Gordet hopes to major in biology as she works toward a future in the medical field.
In the Photo: Darius Fuller 10th Grade (Left) & Thomas Lazatin 11th Grade (Right)
Friends Darius Fuller and Thomas Lazatin attended the college fair together. When asked what makes the college fair valuable, Lazatin said, “It gives students the opportunity to connect with college representatives and build relationships that can lead to future opportunities.”
He has already selected SUNY Oneonta as his top choice. Fuller, meanwhile, is interested in studying psychology and is using the fair to learn more about programs that match his career goals.
Through opportunities like the annual college fair, Valley Central students explore their options and make choices for their next steps after high school.