Outside, hundreds of students and parents waited in a long, winding line to enter Azusa Unified’s College Night. Inside, representatives from more than 70 colleges, universities, career technical schools and U.S. military branches stood ready to share information about post-secondary options and resources.

The annual event, which draws students of all ages and their families, took place Oct. 27 at Azusa High School.

“For universities to continue to come to our college fair at these numbers is a real testament to our District,” said Susan Brosche, Azusa Unified’s director of college and career pathways. “This event provides an opportunity to speak directly with college admissions representatives and consider programs at a variety of colleges and universities. Many students will be the first in their families to go to college. Hearing first hand from each of these schools supports the college planning by our students and their parents.”
Once the doors opened to Azusa High’s gym for the evening event, students busily made their way from table to table, some glancing at gym walls festooned with posters featuring prompting questions to guide students as they discussed their futures.

The fair featured local community colleges and state universities, in addition to private institutions from California and out of state. They included Citrus College, University of La Verne, UCLA, UC Davis, Harvard, Oregon State, Boise State, Biola and University of Hawaii.

“We’re always looking for ways to bolster the services and programs we offer students so they feel empowered and prepared to take on challenges that ultimately lead them to their dreams after they graduate from our schools,” said AUSD Superintendent Dr. Linda Kaminski. “I hope that all of our students left College Night more knowledgeable about the options they have after high school and what they need to get there.

Gladstone High School senior Jackie Juarez will be the first in her family to go to college. She hopes to study criminology to become a probation officer or detective.

“I decided to come tonight because I want to be the first in my family to graduate from college and start a good career. I’m exploring my options for college because there are so many opportunities,” she said.

Azusa Unified offers a variety of services to help students prepare for their futures. They includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses, college-preparatory program Advancement Via Individual Achievement (AVID), career-technical courses, career pathways beginning in elementary school, college and career counseling and partnerships with local colleges, organizations and businesses that allow students to gain hands-on experiences.

In 2015, Azusa Unified students earned more than $1.6 million in scholarships. A vast majority are attending two- and four-year colleges this fall.

“I am proud of our school district and what our students are achieving,” said AUSD Board of Education President Yolanda Rodriguez-Pena. “College Night is a great way to bring college representatives directly to our students so that they can ask questions and become informed on what they need to do to reach their goals.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

COLLEGENIGHT1: Azusa Unified’s College Night on Oct. 27 featured representatives from more than 70 colleges, universities, career technical schools and U.S. military branches to provide information about students’ post-secondary options and resources.

COLLEGENIGHT2: Hundreds of students and families from Azusa Unified attended College Night Oct. 27 at Azusa High.