KELSEYVILLE — Administrators, board members, counselors and college representatives gathered to honor graduating seniors, who have been accepted to a four-year college at the ninth annual Lake County University Admit Reception.
The event was held May 5 at Kelseyville High School (KHS). The schools invited 95 students, down from 106 last year.
Guests were welcomed by Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook, who also introduced Senior Director of Human Resources and Student Programs Brock Falkenberg. Middletown High School (MHS) alumni and current California State University (CSU) of Monterey Bay student Reid Carpenter shared his insights as a first-year college student with the group.
The audience of parents, students and educational staff were also treated to a video by Lower Lake High School (LLHS) alumni Cesar Ruiz and MHS alumni Jacob Gill featuring UC Berkeley.
Upward Bound Director at LLHS Shannon Smith of Sonoma State University delivered the welcome bags to all of the students attending a CSU college next year, Jacqueline Ross of University of California (UC) of Davis welcomed the UC students and Sharon Maher of Marymount California University greeted all out-of-state and private college students.
Additionally, a buffet dinner prepared by Michelle Malm and her staff at KHS, as well as lively music performed by the KHS Jazz Band, were offered free-of-charge to the attending students and guests. Seating for the large group of attendees was made possible by Rick Malm of the California Department of Forestry and the help of high school custodial staff. Centerpieces containing seedlings were created by the students of Karen Jones” floral design class of MHS.
During the dinner service, guests were able to view a slideshow presentation featuring students” career goals and giving special thanks to those that assisted them in achieving their college admission. Students were also treated to a free-of-charge raffle of prizes that included dorm survival bags filled with items such as first aid kits, sewing kits, towels, Frisbees, notebooks, rulers and paperclips.
Kelseyville Lumber donated and loaned plants to decorate the stage where students received recognition and small gifts provided by the colleges.
The University Admit Reception was created nine years ago to honor the hard work and dedication of students and families who achieved a challenging academic goal. Another objective of the event is to introduce students to other students throughout the county who may be attending the same or nearby colleges.
For information about the University Admit Reception or to make a donation for next year”s event, contact Tammy Serpa at tserpa@lakecoe.org.
