Rain Doesn't Stop Students from PUSD College Fair

The dreary weather didn't stop college-bound kids Tuesday night as over 1,000 San Diegans attended Poway Unified School District's college fair.

The college fair, in its third year, drew students from throughout the county and over 130 different colleges and universities from throughout the U.S.

"This is a great opportunity for kids in our neighborhoods to learn more about higher education," said Jean Williams, who co-chaired the college fair. "There is not enough emphasis on life after high school and college."

The two-and-a-half-hour college fair was free for students, parents and college recruiters and also offered 10 different workshops, two of which were hosted by School Board President Todd Gutschow, a Harvard graduate.

Organized by the Palomar Council PTA and hosted by PUSD's Del Norte High School, the college fair attracted students of all ages.

Brandon Kelso, a freshman at Del Norte High, attended with his father, Ben.

Though Brandon is unsure which university he'd like to attend or the career path he'll take, Ben said it was important for his son to attend the fair to get him thinking about his post high school life.

"I wanted to reinforce the importance of education and college in my son," Ben said. "Students need to prepare for college before their junior or senior year. That is what tonight is all about—to help him think about what he wants to do."

Xavier Byrd, a junior at Del Norte, attended the fair with his aunt, Carolyn Lawrence.

Xavier, who wants to be an engineer or a tennis player, said he was required by his biology teacher to attend the fair. Xavier's friend, Nia Freeman, attended with her mother, Patricia.

Nia, a junior at Mt. Carmel High School, said she was disappointed two of her three top choices for college weren't present: Spellman and Howard universities.

She said she wanted more information about a historical black college but was content speaking to the Chapman University recruiter. Nia wants to go pre-med and eventually become a pediatrician.

"She knows this fair is very important," her mother said. "She understands grades are crucial and that she does need to go to college."

For Michelle Howard, Oklahoma City University associate director of admissions, the college fair was a great way to tell students about what the school is known for—its arts programs.

Howard, who attended the PUSD fair for the second year, said it was important to inform students that schools like OCU are available, otherwise they may not be aware of certain schools.

But the fair drew more than eager college-bound students, their parents and recruiters.

Williams, whose three children graduated from PUSD schools before the college fairs began, said she chose to participate as a co-chair because she wanted to give students "the opportunity my boys didn't have," she said.

Also present was Colleen Salzetti, who began the college fair project at PUSD in 2007 as a way to give her children a chance to speak to representatives from different universities.

"This is the greatest opportunity for students and their parents," she said. "It's the only college fair in this area of San Diego."

The college fair cost an estimated $5,000 to host and was paid for through fundraising efforts and sponsorships.