DCSS College & Career Readiness & Gear Up Dougherty host Futurefest preparing students for college

ALBANY, Ga. – As part of National Gear Up Week, the Dougherty County School System is putting local students in touch with a few colleges from across Georgia to make sure they’re ready for life after high school in what they call Futurefest.

The event set up by Gear Up Dougherty is known as Futurefest, featuring colleges and post high school options from across the state.

“Particularly we wanted to work with seniors, because this is their last moment in high school. And, again, we want to have every resource available to them at their fingertips to ensure they’re prepared for wherever life brings them after high school, whether it’s college, the military, or going directly to the workforce,” said Dr. Alana Simmons, Gear Up Dougherty.

We caught up with a few Dougherty County High School students Tuesday afternoon about getting to meet with these colleges…

And, in some instances even go ahead and apply to them.

It’s something that is a tremendous help to them as there’s more transparency in applying to college.

“As a high school kid, you’re kind of just boxed in with all of the information you get from different areas. Here you get to be kind of loose, and you have the opportunity to be vulnerable and ask those questions and learn that information,” said Laila Hunter, Senior, Dougherty County High School.

“It can be kind of hard when you’re e-mailing somebody. Sometimes they don’t get back to you for like ten days or a week, or just later. So, not only being in-person helps, but because there are some colleges that I want to go to, and I have questions about that I have my eyes on. So, I believe it’s actually a good opportunity,” said Eric Bass Jr., Senior, Dougherty County High School.

And, above all else, these students are getting an extra burden lifted off their shoulders by applying in person…

“Because we’re funded by the U.S. Department of Education, all of the resources we provide to our students and their families is at no cost. So, if the colleges do not accept application fee waivers, we take care of that cost to make sure that no student has that burden when applying for secondary education,” said Dr. Simmons.

For the seniors we spoke to at Futurefest, they’re optimistic that everything they’ve done Tuesday will help to shore up the next chapter of their lives.

Gear Up Dougherty will be hosting events with the school system throughout the week to help students with what they want to do after high school.

Brian Roche reporting.

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