Kite & Key hosts high schoolers

After eating dinner at Stouffer, getting stuck in a high rise elevator and staying up all night talking to his roommate, Girard College High School senior Darrell Lazier described his first taste of college life as "pretty cool." Lazier was one of 30 high school juniors and seniors who participated in the Kite and Key Society's "Through College Doors" program last week. Organizers of the new program hope it will expose area students to the "collegiate experience" and encourage them to take a serious interest in higher education. "As college students, we are in a perfect position to take young students and clear up any confusions or misconceptions that they might have about college," said Kite and Key Community Project Coordinator Yoneco Evans, a College junior. "There are so many things they can learn from us and our experiences that they couldn't get from a college recruiter," she added. Throughout the two-day program last Tuesday and Wednesday, the high schoolers attended classes, learned about financial aid and participated in workshops on essay writing. An ice cream social Tuesday night included a performance by The Inspiration, an a cappella group. University students volunteered to host the juniors and seniors from three local high schools. "Everyone treated us so nicely during the two days," said West Philadelphia High School junior Derrick Scott. "Now I know what steps I need to take throughout my last two years of high school." According to Evans, the program is not an attempt to recruit students to the University -- although she said many students who participate are interested in attending Penn. She added that the skills they learn during the workshops can be used in applying to any college or university. On Wednesday morning during a Hill College House breakfast, many of the high schoolers said they felt the effects of staying up late Tuesday night. "It was fun -- definitely a good experience, but it's too early to be awake," said West Philadelphia High School senior Shawn Thompson. "I loved my host and stayed up late watching television and talking to friends." Guidance counselors from the high schools selected this group of program participants. Their interests and future plans varied greatly. West Philadelphia High School senior Mike Hatch said he has not decided what he wants to do after high school, but added that he does not want his choice to be "fake." But Scott already has a job at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and is narrowing his list of potential colleges. The University's Admissions Office participated in the two-day program, especially the lectures and workshops. And many host volunteers said they enjoyed assisting the pre-freshmen. "The reason I came to Penn was a similar program to this," said host Richard Adzei, a College freshman. "Now it is my turn to give back."