Bright Prospect Brings Old and New Scholars Together
January 12th, 2012
Multiple generations of this successful college prep and support program gather each year to learn from each others' experience.
Last week, over 175 high school seniors and college students in the Bright Prospect Program gathered in Pomona for pizza, friendship, stories and advice. The annual Old-New Meeting, as it is called, gives Bright Prospect high school seniors the rare and unique opportunity to ask college students anything they want to know about college. Questions ranged from “how demanding are the academics?” to “how was your freshman year roommate?” and the small groups, organized by college type, also discussed the college decision process, extracurricular activities, professors, student loans, feeling homesick, and much more.
Twelve different high schools were represented at the Old-New Meeting – Ganesha, Garey, Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, Fremont, Palomares, Chaffey, Chino, Village Academy, School of Arts and Enterprise, and Charter Oak. After the event, Pomona High School senior Albert Guadarrama said, “I feel more secure about the transition to college and look forward to coming back to see friends at next year’s Old-New Meeting. I am also proud of my peers. We should get ready to change the world because together we can make a huge difference.”
Bright Prospect helps low-income students from California’s Inland Empire region prepare for, gain admission, and graduate from four-year universities by providing information, counseling and a comprehensive support system of peers and professionals. Students enroll in Bright Prospect the summer after their 9th grade year and are mentored up until college graduation. The college students and alumni that attended the Old-New Meeting also benefited from the event. Not only did they catch up with old friends from high school or the Bright Prospect Program, but they also listened to each other’s college experiences and offered support and advice.
Ganesha High School senior Abel Cervantes thanked the Bright Prospect staff for organizing the event and college students for their guidance. He said, “It is a privilege to be a part of this extended family. It also means a lot to me to see college kids coming back and showing appreciation for where they came from. It’s the start of a perpetual cycle of people going to college to make our community a better place.”
Bright Prospect Scholars in High School and College connect and share experiences.
