'Heroes' help third grade students begin conversations about college

What if? What if third graders were introduced to the idea of college, well before they'd need to even think about volunteerism, GPAs and SATs.

By asking that what if several years ago, the McNair Educational Foundation created the "High School Heroes" program in elementary schools. The program is implemented by students who are in the Building Leaders class.

High School Heroes from Chase High School recently wrapped up their time with third grade students at Forrest Hunt. During the five week program the "heroes" worked with third graders in small groups on classroom projects and to discuss colleges and careers.

"The Building Leaders class looked forward to working with the kids at Forrest Hunt every opportunity they got to go," said Doug Hollars, McNair Educational Foundation academic program specialist at Chase High School. "It is definitely a win-win scenario for the high school students as well as the third graders."

Third grade, said Forrest Hunt Teacher Ashley Callahan, is a big transition year. Working with the high school students gave the third graders an opportunity to really see the importance their classroom work has on their futures.

"It's a good reality for them too - they can see the costs and the preparation it takes to go to college," she said.

Hollars said that for many younger students their only knowledge of college may be a basketball game on television. Through working with the high school students, particularly on a college fair presented to the fourth and fifth graders at the school, they learned about academic offerings and other activities that take place on college campuses.

Senior Keely Thomas worked with her group of students to research Duke University, a campus she has an interest in as she plans to work toward a career as a medical examiner.

"I plan to attend Western Carolina University for chemistry and forensics and then transfer," she said. Her group of students were eager to learn about Duke because each has an interest in the medical field.

Some of those third graders will take part next year in an adopt a college student program. Through it students use video conferencing to talk with recent high school graduates about what it's like to be in college.

"This is one of the neatest things we do," said McNair Educational Foundation Executive Director Monica Lee of the college fair. "It really gives us an opportunity to reach parents and students about college. It's much more effective than sending home information - because students are presenting the information, parents will come to see what they're doing."

It serves as a conversation starter, she continued, which is what's most important.

"Whether they get a two- or four-year degree, we want them thinking about college early because there are few jobs today that don't require some post-secondary education. This is the beginning of our continuum of services."

In the spring students in the Building Leaders class at Chase High will work with third graders at Cliffside Elementary. The Building Leaders class is also offered at East Rutherford and R-S Central High School students as well.

More information on the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation, which has a mission of seeking to improve education in Rutherford County and thereby increase the number of students who pursue education beyond high school, can be found online at mcnairedfoundation.org.