CCC&TI Inducts 121 Middle and High School Students into Its TRIO/ETS Program

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s TRIO/Educational Talent Search program hosted an induction ceremony Monday, Nov. 16 for new students at the college’s J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. The program officially welcomed 121 students from middle and high schools across Caldwell County as part of the event.

TRIO/ETS at CCC&TI is a federally funded program that works with middle and high school students, most of whom will be first-generation college students, to assist them with all aspects of college enrollment. Through the program, specialists employed by the college make weekly visits to Caldwell County middle and high schools to serve students enrolled in the program. In addition, students are given the opportunity to visit colleges throughout the state and out of state, participate in various enrichment activities, and receive assistance from TRIO/ETS specialists with college applications, financial aid applications and other college-related issues.

Dena Holman, Vice-President of Student Services at CCC&TI, welcomed students and their family members to the ceremony, the 13th annual for TRIO/ETS. In addition to praising the partnerships with Caldwell County Schools that make the program possible, she praised the program’s ability to help students learn the importance of a college education.

Several members of the 2015 TRIO Youth Leadership League shared their experiences visiting colleges and universities in Nashville, Tenn. West Caldwell High School 11th-graders Gina Austin, Ahna Robbins and Madelyn Smith, as well as Caldwell Early College High School senior Freja Carlson each shared about the trip, as well as the benefits of visiting college campuses.

As is tradition at the TRIO/ETS induction ceremony, three new inductees to the program shared their TRIO First-Generation College Statements. The student speakers were: Michael Mesa from Hudson Middle School, who wants to be a veterinarian; Cierra Hollifield from Collettsville School, who wants to be a teacher; and Sara Pina from Granite Falls Middle School, who wants to be an architect.

TRIO ETS Specialists Dustin Ethridge, Julie Parsons and Jamison McIver recognized the new inductees in attendance, as well as the current TRIO/ETS seniors.

At the end of the program, each new TRIO/ETS inductee in attendance was recognized and given a certificate and a TRIO/ETS cinch bag. The closing remarks were given by new TRIO Programs Director Emily Garrison, who praised the new inductees and thanked CCC&TI administration, TRIO/ETS partners and students’ parents for their support.

“I want to commend these students for making the choice to be a part of TRIO/ETS,” Garrison said. “I look forward, students, to seeing what your future has in store for you.”

2015 TRIO/ETS Inductees include:

Granite Falls Middle School