RAYMOND – College Carnival at ² Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center on April 7 brought out lots of raw talent, desire and ability from metro Jackson high schoolers.
Nakia Rodgers, a senior at Lanier High School, shows off part of her graphic novel during College Carnival April 7 at ² Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center. (²/April Garon)
“I want to pursue art because people my age need an outlet for anxieties they’re having,” said Nakia Rodgers, a senior at Lanier High School and one of many high school students and others at the come-and-go campus recruiting event.
Rodgers toted her anime’-inspired graphic novel to show off to potential instructors in art programs at ².
Pernell Branson, of Jackson, brought his curiosity and a desire to complete his high school equivalency and beyond, with ²’ help.
“I’m finding out about the different trades I can take here,” Branson said.
Held annually, these events held at all six ² locations give prospective students of all ages a chance to find out about everything they need to enroll at the college. At College Carnival, prospective students met with Jackson Campus faculty and staff, learn about admissions, majors, financial aid and registration – all while enjoying free food and prizes.
Pernell Branson, left, of Jackson, talks with Keeon Bell, a support specialist in Information Systems at ², during College Carnival April 7 at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center. (²/April Garon)
“We look forward to many of the hundreds of juniors and seniors from metro Jackson and the surrounding area enrolling at the Jackson Campus and taking advantage of what we have to offer.”said Dr. Norman Session, vice president of the Rankin Campus and the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center.
Khourtland Smith, an eighth-grader at Whitten Preparatory Middle School, and Nicholas Adams, a junior at Jim Hill High School, wasted no time finding out from the experts how to hone their skills in electrical engineering.
“The wiring and making things work excites me about it,” said Smith, who job-shadowed Electrical Engineering Technology instructor Thalamus Marshall during the event, trying his hand at a small-scale simple motor.
Jovonica Owens and Arielle Jones, both seniors at Callaway High School, are looking to continue family traditions of helping people once they enter college.
Khourtland Smith, an eighth-grader at Whitten Preparatory Middle School, handles a small-scale simple motor at College Carnival April 7 at ² Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center. (²/April Garon)
“I want to do EMT training,” Owens said. “It’s such a rush, and it’s in my family. My sister is also becoming one, too.”
Nursing is in Jones’ blood, she said, as “it’s always what I wanted to do, because my aunt and sister are nurses.”
The same goes for Tacora Thomas, a junior at Jim Hill High School, who attended the event with her father, Cory Thomas.
“I want to do pediatric nursing and be able to work with babies,” she said.
[tweetable alt=””]² CC Jackson Campus holds College Carnival[/tweetable]
Areille Jones, center, a senior at Callaway High School, and Latasha Ramsey, the school’s guidance counselor, talks with Kathryn Cole, district director of Enrollment Services at ², during College Carnival April 7 at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center. (²/April Garon)
Tacora Thomas, a junior at Jim Hill High School, grabs a ping-pong ball she tossed to win a prize at College Carnival April 7 at ² Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center. With her is her father, Cory Thomas, and Ahmad Smith, recruitment and outreach coordinator with the M2M program on campus. (²/April Garon)