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Say Yes to host college prep conference

WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley

For the first time next month, Say Yes Buffalo will be hosting a 'College Kickoff' event.  It is designed for Buffalo Public high school and city charter school students graduating next month and attending a Say Yes college this fall. A two-day conference will offer advice on making the transition from high school to college. 

Imagine being the first person in your family to attend college. That is what it will be like for some of the city's Say Yes scholars this fall.                 

"They have no one that the can call. They can’t call home and ask their mom or their brother about the process they want through as far as enrolling into higher education,” said William Brinson. Coordinator of Multicultural Student Services at Niagara Community College.

NCCC is one of the Say Yes partners. Brinson helps recruit under represented populations for college.

Credit WBFO News file photo
Say Yes program provides students with assistance to prepare for college life.

“When you come from an under represented population, you are considered an ‘at-risk’ student and quit often these students are yet to be inspired,” explained Brinson. “And I’m someone who’s a first time generation and that’s why I work in higher education because I know there are many more others out there just like I was.”

On June 28th and 29th, in the WNED-Television studio’s, Say Yes Buffalo will be hosting a two-day conference featuring all kinds of information for students. Allison Newman is Say Yes Buffalo’s Scholarship Director.

“Some of them are academic challenge. Kids not really accustomed to college level course work, so having realistic expectations for what their academic are going to look like,” Newman said.

It's all about helping these future college students adjust to their new schools and navigate through campus-life. Martha Younger is director of Guidance and Counseling Service for the Buffalo Public School District

“We’re going to contact the senior counselors and we’re going to go into the schools to sit down with the seniors to make sure they have registered for the Say Yes incentive and scholarship and to make sure they are aware of this program and get them to register to come. And to instill in them the value and purpose of why they need to be here,” said Younger. 

Credit WBFO News file photo
Say Yes Buffalo poster.

Guest speakers, panelists, workshops and Say Yes college partners will all be at the conference to providing city students with a jump start on what to expect in their future collegiate lives. 

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