Bridges to College
Ansonia students get more information about college

(ANSONIA) – Ansonia Elementary School students received information about college when 10 Ohio State University college students visited the school last month.

“The early college awareness program was designed to encourage students to think about college and to encourage them to do well in school,” said Beth Sears, executive director of Bridges to College, a local organization that helps students and their parents go to college. Bridges to College helped bring the event to Ansonia.

The OSU students planned activities for the different age groups. For many of the younger children, the college students read the “I Know I Can” book and then discussed college and careers.

For students in grades 4-6, they conducted activities in the gymnasium where students visited an OSU student and learned about topics such as dormitories, cafeterias, laboratories, lecture halls, paying for college, the student union, the library, academics, and finding the right college.

The OSU students also talked with several Ansonia High School students who joined them for lunch at the Whistle Stop.

“So many times high school students have questions about fitting in on a big campus, selecting majors and living in dormitories,” Sears said. “The college students can offer answers to many of their questions.”

The presentations were part of Access 88, an Ohio State University service outreach program focused on access to higher education in Ohio’s 88 counties. The Access88 program is visiting four schools across Ohio this fall.

Last year, the OSU students and Access88 gave a presentation to Greenville Junior High School students.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have the Access88 group visit Darke County for two years in a row,” Sears said. “At Bridges to College, we’re always looking for ways to educate children and their parents about college. This is just one of the many ways that we do that.”

After giving the presentations at Ansonia Schools, the OSU students went to Shawnee Prairie where they received a tour and helped with some preparations for Prairie Days. The students stayed overnight at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, and then ate breakfast with Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers, Darke County Commissioner Diane Delaplane and Bridges to College director Beth Sears. Bowers then gave the students a tour of the area. When visiting a school, the OSU students like to learn more about the area.

“A lot of local people helped make this trip possible,” Sears said. “I really appreciate their efforts.”