Family Night Provides High School Seniors with Information to Be Successful
Nearly 500 parents and students from six high school districts in the surrounding community visited Fullerton College on Wednesday, April 29 for Family High School Senior Night. The event served as an opportunity for parents and high school seniors to learn about the various programs and services FC has to offer and hear from counselors and staff members regarding the process of admissions, financial aid, and the overall matriculation process.
Sponsored largely in part by the counseling office at FC, Family Night has taken place annually for over 10 years and has grown significantly in the last two while under the coordination of Fullerton College High School Outreach Coordinator, Rolando Sanabria. Sanabria has expanded the event to include a resource fair where more than 30 college departments, programs, and student clubs provide attendees with information, and make face-to-face connections with prospective students.
“One of our primary goals for Family Night is to help high school seniors and their parents feel at ease with the transition they’re making from high school to college,” Sanabria said. “For many first-generation college students, with predominantly Spanish-speaking parents, this is their first opportunity to hear about financial aid and ask questions that are specific to their needs.”
In addition to the resource fair, two separate information sessions were presented in both English and Spanish. More than 350 parents and students attended the English session while nearly 150 attended the Spanish presentation, setting an overall record of participation at this event. Additionally, the Spanish session provided information specific to AB 540 and DREAM Act students.
Many of the high school students who attended Family Night will be enrolling at Fullerton College in the upcoming summer and fall semesters. The event afforded them the opportunity to hear what they need to do to complete the application process and be fully prepared for their enrollment.
