Tonight's College and Career Fair sponsored by the Vernon Parish School Board promises to have something for everyone, said Ruth Westmoreland, counselor at Anacoco High School and an organizer for the event.
The Vernon Parish College and Career Fair is designed to help parish students and their parents to be more informed about a variety of educational and training opportunities. All juniors, seniors, and their parents are encouraged to attend this event which will be at the Family Life Center at East Leesville Baptist Church from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7.
"Some students and parents may not be aware that the college and career fair is not an event just for the college-bound student," Westmoreland said. Companies and corporations that provide on-the-job training will also be featured at the fair, including Florida Marine Transportation, a company that manages barge traffic on waterways; Acadiana Ambulance, with their pre-EMT training; A-HEC, which will provide information about health careers in central Louisiana; Nashville Diesel Academy; all branches of the military; and two-year technical colleges.
The fair, which is in its tenth year, according to Westmoreland, will also offer workshops on financial aid resources led by a representative from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), the vendor for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). Four individual sessions––from 6 until 6:30 p.m.; from 6:30-7 p.m.; from 7:-7:30 p.m. and from 7:30-8 p.m––will provide information on the application process for financial aid and TOPS. In addition, representatives will be available to discuss student loans.
Representatives from Northwestern State University's Leesville campus, as well as Upper Iowa, Central Texas, Rapides Learning Center, Louisiana College and all of the major state schools will be on hand to discuss their schools and provide students and parents will application packets for admission and various scholarships.
In all, 40 vendors and representatives will be available to assist students. Students and parents don't need to bring any documentation with them, as the fair is a "browser" type of event.
"It's a good time to network and find out what the entrance requirements are and what early deadlines need to be met," Westmoreland said.
Last year, about 250 students and parents attended the event.