HB youth take a trip to Cornell

By Erin Arnold
Staff Writer

College is an exciting experience for young adults – a chance to study in a focused program while gaining independence and exposure to diverse people and ideas. And while many high school graduates go on to colleges and universities, a large percentage of the population from Highbridge does not.

Enter the first ever Youth Educational Conference at Cornell University, held April 4-6. The brainchild of Cornell senior Rossmery Barzey, this weekend program offered 28 inner city high school students a chance to experience life on a college campus and learn more about the application process.

Ms. Barzey grew up in Highbridge and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1999. She will soon graduate from Cornell with a major in Human Development. “I plan to be a New York City teacher,” she said. Her work with the students of this neighborhood dates back to her high school days, when she spent her afternoons tutoring elementary school students in the Highbridge Community Life Center Get & Give program.

Last fall, she decided that she wanted to develop some sort of program to expose inner city high school students to higher education. After consulting with some possible participants, she applied for the Cornell Community Partnership Grant last November. She was awarded $2000 to fund her project. “Basically, my plan was to bring kids to Cornell so that they could experience a college environment. I wanted them to feel comfortable to ask questions,” she explained.

The planning process began almost immediately, with Ms. Barzey handling the bulk of it all. “I implemented the program with the help of my sorority, Omega Phi Beta, Inc. I did most of the planning and my sorority sisters helped me with the leg work,” she said. “We only have 5 members so people were surprised that we pulled it off!”

The weekend program began on Friday, April 4, with a chartered bus carrying the students from New York City to Ithaca, New York. This included 6 high school students from Highbridge. They were housed in various dorms throughout the campus, giving them a real taste of the college living environment. On Saturday, they participated in a number of workshops and discussions geared to give them a more complete picture of college life.

“I was glad to be invited,” said Joshua Hernandez, a 10th grader from All Hollows. “It was fun doing icebreakers and getting to know everyone. I also liked the campus tour.”

The program was specially structured just for them. “First they met with the admissions directors,” Ms. Barzey explained. “The kids were intrigued by the statistics they were given. The premise was that the kids would learn more about how many minority students get into college, graduate, etc. The kids were really impacted by it.”

Roy Davenport, an 8th grader from Highbridge, commented on the statistics he learned. “It’s easier to find job offers with a college degree. I was surprised to learn that there aren’t as many minorities in college as Caucasians,” he said. “I also learned that it’s best to start [looking at schools] early and get financial aid,” he said.

The students participated in a motivational workshop given by one of the resident hall directors, a financial aid workshop, and a campus tour. They ended their afternoon by attending a Native American dance performance given by the Native American Students of Cornell. “I wanted to show them diversity,” Ms. Barzey said. After the performance, the students attended a college forum, in which a panel of students talked about the “nitty gritty” of college life, according to Ms. Barzey. “The students talked about college life and then we also had a faculty advisor offer a professor’s point of view,” Ms. Barzey said. The kids ended the night with Saturday Night Fever, a time to relax and play pool.

On Sunday morning, they returned to the city with a better grasp of the college application process, college life, and everything in between. “I was so excited for them,” Ms. Barzey said. “Doing this program was great and I got to see them excited and asking questions. I have since gotten some emails from a couple of the students and they told me they are so happy they came.”

“In college you are on your own, but you still have to do work,” commented Carlos Hernandez, a 12th grader from All Hollows High School. “It was great to learn so much.”

The students weren’t the only ones who were impressed with the outcome. The Cornell Admissions office was extremely supportive and enthusiastic about the program and many Cornell students expressed interest in continuing the program next year. “People would definitely like to see this again. It could become an annual event and I told them I would gladly help out even though I am graduating this year!” Ms. Barzey said. “Doing this program and seeing them excited about it just made me glow!”