SJRCC PRESS RELEASE March 2008 SJRCC Open House gives St. Augustine high school students personal look at college life St. Johns River Community College recently welcomed high school students to its annual open house. Approximately 100 seniors participated in the annual event created to inform incoming freshmen of educational opportunities, scholarships, financial aid and the admissions process. Students from area high schools as well as Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind toured the campus, including the criminal justice training center. Students attended presentations on the Associate in Arts (transfer) degree as well as Associate in Science degree programs such as radiologic technology, respiratory care, computer science and some of the College's newer programs such as architectural drafting and construction technology. Three of the students participating in the tour were Pedro-Menendez High School's Melissa Maxwell, Cody Brannon and Christiana Davis. Although this was their first time on campus, the students have experienced college courses through SJRCC's dual enrollment program. The program offers free college courses to eligible high school juniors and seniors on campus and at participating high schools. The students said they signed up for the open house in order to get a first-hand look at the College and what college life will be like once they begin attending full time. Brannon said he was introduced to the dual enrollment program by his high school counselor and has already completed some of the required general education classes. Brannon said visiting the campus gave him a glimpse of what real-world freedoms and responsibilities would be like at college. "I got to see more of what the college has to offer me as a real college student," Brannon said. New to the open house agenda was a session to promote the "Go Higher - Get Accepted" campaign sponsored by the Florida Department of Education, participating community colleges and high schools, and FACTS.org - Florida's student advising Web site. The campaign was designed to help high school seniors with no college plans to get accepted into their neighboring community college. The goal this year is to have 100% of students at participating schools accepted before they graduate from high school. SJRCC counselor Shelly Sutter said the campaign is important because the majority of today's careers require an education and training beyond high school. "College graduates not only make more money, they have more lifestyle choices than those with only a high school diploma," Sutter said. Open registration for the summer A term begins on March 14. Summer A classes begin May 12. For more information, contact SJRCC at 808-7400. SJRCC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the Associate Degree. PHOTO CAPTION: From left: Dually enrolled students Melissa Maxwell, Cody Brannon and Christiana Davis joined their Pedro-Menendez High School classmates for a tour of St. Johns River Community College during the annual open house. Seniors Maxwell and Brannon plan to attend SJRCC full time following their high school graduation. Return to SJRCC home page.