FONTANA, CA – Cyrus Sapien, a Fontana High School senior, boarded a bus to make the 10-mile trek to the 2024 Regional College and Career Fair, cohosted by Fontana Unified and Chaffey Joint Union High School districts at the Ontario Convention Center on Oct. 9.

Sapien was on a fact-finding mission, looking to narrow down his short list of colleges and decide if he would attend college in or out of state. He knew he wanted to study industrial engineering and pursue a career in a blue-collar trade but was uncertain about which college was right for him.

“Coming here helps give me a better perspective of what school I want to go with,” said Sapien, who is enrolled in Fontana High’s Career Connections program, a career technical education (CTE) pathway in general construction. “This is great because I am able to come here and actually talk in person to recruiters from these colleges and get exact answers to all my questions.”

Sapien was one of an estimated 65,000 students of all ages across both districts invited to attend, with thousands in attendance and many accompanied by family members to speak to representatives from colleges, the military, and other career opportunities during the free event. For more than a decade, the Regional College and Career Fair has given students across multiple districts a chance to get a head start planning for their futures, whether college or career.

This year’s event gave students and families a chance to explore the option of serving in several U.S. Armed Forces branches and CTE programming offered across Fontana Unified that can help them get a head start on lucrative careers in law enforcement, nursing, TV production, engineering, aviation, and more.

“We aim to provide students and families with the exposure and access they need to explore college and career opportunities,” FUSD Assistant Director of College Readiness and Secondary Schools MarLan Parker said. “By hosting this event, Fontana Unified and Chaffey Joint Union are showing their commitment to student success, equipping them with the resources and confidence to pursue their goals.”

Four breakout sessions headlined new additions to this year’s fair, offering deeper insights into specific educational and career pathways. Subject experts led discussions on postsecondary education, college and career readiness, leveraging army training for civilian careers, and dual-enrollment opportunities at Chaffey College.

Representatives from more than 45 postsecondary institutions, including public and private colleges and universities across the country and world, like Cal State Fullerton, Grand Canyon University, La Sierra University, Scripps College, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and University of Roehampton, London, encouraged attendees to consider their schools as they distributed information and giveaways from their tables.

Fontana Unified transported students to-and-from District schools and the event. District counselors were on standby to help answer any questions from students or families regarding the college application process, different scholarship opportunities, and more.

“It is inspiring to see our students take initiative in planning their futures, whatever that may be,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “We are proud to support their journeys and ensure they have the resources needed to succeed through events like this one, which dates back more than a decade in Fontana Unified.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_FAIR1: Thousands of students explored their futures and connected with recruiters from private and public colleges and universities at the 2024 Regional College and Career Fair, which was co-hosted by Fontana Unified and Chaffey Joint Union High School districts at the Ontario Convention Center on Oct. 9.

FUSD_FAIR2: Fontana Unified students had the chance to explore more than 15 District CTE pathways, including Summit High School’s TV production program, that can help them get a head start on lucrative careers at the 2024 Regional College and Career Fair on Oct. 9.

FUSD_FAIR3: Students had a chance to ask questions to representatives from colleges and universities at the 2024 Regional College and Career Fair on Oct. 9. More than 45 postsecondary institutions from across the state, country, and world, including Grand Canyon University, Scripps College, UCLA, and University of Roehampton, London, attended the event.