GCCS & ASU host Community High School & College Night

Kyle Knox
Gila River Indian News

On March 4, Gila Crossing Community School filled its gymnasium with resource booths for their first Community High School and College Information Night. The event was made possible in partnership with Arizona State University's Office of American Indian Initiatives.

The event aims to inform local high school students about college resources and programs ASU has to offer. And school staff were also assisting families in registering their future High School students.  

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis opened with remarks about the event and why they're essential for the Community to attend. Gov. Lewis said, "It's never too early to start thinking about and planning for your education, and events like tonight make it easier to start."

Gov. Lewis, an ASU Alumni himself, also stressed the importance of bringing that education back home to the Community. He told the audience that as a youth, his father instilled in him that education is the one thing that can never be taken away from anyone. And that once you have an education, you're afforded more options in life.

Various schools representing numerous college majors were in attendance to share information on admissions, summer camps, and on-campus opportunities.  Students filled out information forms to start receiving information in the future while also getting more information about Arizona State's unique programs for Native American students.

Jennifer Howell, Youth Development Specialist at Gila Crossing Community School, served as the coordinator for the event for Gila Crossing. Howell said, "tonight's about the Community and showing everyone what's possible. Having current Native ASU students here shows families what is possible."

ASU Office of American Indian Initiatives' Director Annabel Bowen brought several Native students that work with her office as part of the event. Bowen shared that before the evening event, her students led workshops and presentations for Gila Crossing's seventh and eighth-grade classes.

Bowen stated, "We wanted to bring our program and 15 ASU colleges and programs to help get out the resources here that support their next steps in applying to ASU."

The partnership with ASU will continue with programming throughout the Community with some events already planned this Spring.