Victorville, Calif. (June 5, 2017) – On Friday, May 19th, the Victorville region of Options for Youth (OFY) Public Charter Schools held their 3rd annual Senior Signing Event at El Pescador Restaurant at Green Tree Golf Course. The event is a time for administrators, teachers, student advisors, and families to celebrate OFY seniors who have committed to attend four year universities in the fall. The event culminates with the students symbolically signing a letter of intent as a personal commitment to themselves and their families that they will be attending college.
This year, students received gift baskets that contained items to help get them set up their dorms such as laundry baskets, detergent, fabric softener, disinfectant wipes, air fresheners, snacks, highlighters, and pens. In addition to the gift bags, parents and students were shocked when they also received a laptop. Principal Bryan Gillespie was key in advocating for this gift. He felt it was important for the students to have the proper tools to succeed and he knew many would not be able to afford to purchase their own.
“It felt amazing. I never thought that we would get free laptops from OFY,” said Jonathan Lucero who will be attending California State University Channel Islands. “Our school helps us so much with making our dreams a reality.” Jonathan also earned a CREW scholarship. CREW is a 15-month college readiness program that guides students towards achieving their dream of attending college. Throughout the program, students attend classes, teambuilding workshops, field trips, community service events, and camps while competing for scholarship money for college.
Mariah Rodriguez said, “The Senior Signing Event was one of the most amazing events I have attended. I thought it was going to be a small dinner, but it was more than that. I wasn’t expecting to feel so important and definitely wasn’t expecting a laptop.” She continued, “I would have never thought that I would be attending college and taking my very own laptop. Thank you OFY for making my dreams a reality.” Mariah will also be attending California State University Channel Islands.
OFY is committed to preparing students for college and are proud of the 11 seniors that participated in the Senior Signing Event. In addition to California State University Channel Islands, the universities the seniors will be attending are Cal State University San Bernardino, Cal State University East Bay, Graceland University, and San Francisco State University.
Share this:
