University professors teach Warden students

Kids learn about campus life, areas of study

WARDEN - From plant genetic engineering to mariachi, Warden High School students received a broader outlook of the future Friday when university representatives visited the school.

Washington State University took control of the school for the day, teaching students and talking to them about college.

Enrollment Counseling Assistant Director Cody Mains led an assembly of students before they departed to classrooms to learn about different topics.

"Did you know the person who wrote the Cougar 'fight song' was from Warden?" Mains asked students.

She told students the day was a great opportunity for them to picture themselves in college.

Students learned about college admissions, transitioning from high school to college, the honors college and study abroad opportunities, mariachi, pre-veterinary medicine and animal sciences, plant genetic engineering, and careers with an English degree.

"We really work hard to provide them exposure to the colleges and universities," said District Superintendent Sandra Sheldon.

The district believes every student can go to college, Sheldon said. Opportunities range from an apprenticeship to a degree at a four-year university, she said.

Volunteer Initiatives Coordinator Deborah Baker said Imagine U at WSU is visiting schools in Warden, Royal City, Wenatchee, Spokane and Tacoma.

"They've been great," Baker said. "(Students) have loved it. The idea is to give them a taste of college."

The program is designed to reach students who cannot visit the university, and students who did not previously consider going to college, she said.

"Most kids are capable of (attending) college," said Principal Leonard Lusk. "It's a fear of the unknown that keeps them from going for it, and programs like that remove that fear."

Lusk said he was unsure of the program's effectiveness in bringing more students to college, since many of the school's students do go to college.

"The effectiveness will be choosing a four-year college over a two-year college, or they'll be choosing WSU over Eastern (Washington University) or Central (Washington University)," Lusk said.

He noted there are advantages to attending a four-year college for the duration of one's higher education.

"If you're there for four years, you make the contacts that help if you have questions in your professional life and getting a job," he said.

Science teacher Jerry Powell said Imagine U at WSU provides students exposure to other educators. Powell said the presenter in his class spoke with students about styles of educating and body language.

"It brings to their attention why they may be addressed the way they are by instructors," he said.

GEAR UP coordinator Rhonda Gardinier, who works for Washington State University, helped Warden students think about careers starting in seventh grade. The students who started in the program as middle-school students are now seniors at the high school.

"My job is to get students prepared to go to college," Gardinier said.

Students in GEAR UP visit colleges and universities, she said.

The students visited several campuses, including Washington State University, University of Washington, Central Washington University, Gonzaga University, and Big Bend Community College, Gardinier said.