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More than 500 high school students and parents swarmed the Raymond Campus of ��«Ӱҵ for the annual Preview Day on Feb. 2. Their mission was to see what the college has to offer in career training programs, activities, scholarship and academic pathways across all six campuses.

Members of the ��«Ӱҵ Connection student recruiting group cheered on visiting high schoolers pep-rally style as they entered Cain-Cochran Hall. Utica Campus Interim Dean of Students Donnie Epting greeted guests as they received swag bags, introducing them to the college and giving them information about Connection-led tours, which continued throughout the morning.

Guests ultimately wound up at the Mayo Gym where they were treated to an expo of ��«Ӱҵ’ many programs and offerings set up in booths. Among others, Financial Aid, Scholarships and Admissions were on hand and were of the most interest to parents like Chris and Darla Byrd of Clinton. Their son Gavin is a senior at Clinton High School.

“He’s thinking about living on campus and we want him to have that college experience. We like that here in Raymond is so close to home, but it’s still very much a ‘university’ experience,” Darla Byrd said. “He can feel like he’s a world away on campus, but close to home, too.

Career Coach Jena Mullins brought nine seniors from Franklin County High School.

“A lot of our seniors can go to Co-Lin (Community College) for the things they are interested in doing, but I had a few that were interested in programs that Co-Lin doesn’t have,” Mullins said.

“I have two students who are very interested in the allied health, particularly the sonogram technician degree, and the others are interested in music and entertainment industry, poultry science, and Anna here, she’s very interested in the film industry,” she said referring to Anna Underwood, 17, a senior at Franklin High.

Underwood said she appreciated “being able to meet the instructors and ask them questions.”

Monique White and her son Patrick, a 6’3 young man who looked like he could be up to any sport, were talking to the folks in the engineering pathways.

“If you really want to know the truth, I came for the football,” he said. “But I’m also here looking at things I am interested in doing, like something in the digital arts, or architectural engineering.”

His mother said meeting the faculty and staff who were on hand for the event made a positive impression on her.

“I liked how they talked about developing relationships with their students,” she said. “I found that with everyone we’ve talked to. I got the impression that everyone here has an intention to look after students, like, they aren’t going to overlook my son if they see him struggling. I like that a lot.”