The San Fernando Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will host its third annual African American College Planning Conference on Oct. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Golden Valley High School, 27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway in Santa Clarita.
The conference is designed to provide high school students and their parents with needed information about the best ways to select, apply to and pay for the college of their choice. Last year, the group attracted more than 300 prospective college students and their parents. Representatives of the sorority said African American enrollment at colleges and universities has improved significantly over the past 25 years; their immediate goal is to increase these numbers in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.
“We found that kids in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys don’t have exposure to HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities),” said Kimberly Cooper, fundraising and events chair for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. “We work to provide these resources to youngsters. Some of these young people are the first in their family to have the opportunity to attend college.”
Cooper said the college entrance “environment” is very competitive today. That’s why her group presents these one-day workshops to better prepare prospective college freshmen for what may await them.
The big turnout last year has encouraged the Deltas to strive more to include those underserved young people—many of whom are members of the Upward Bound educational outreach program—to begin to plan early to attend the college of their choice.
Among the topics covered in the workshop are HBCU 101,which is basically a primer of why you should opt for Howard, Morehouse, Spelman and other HBCUs etc.; NCAA/NIAA rules and regulations for potential scholar-athletes; What does STEM have to offer you? in terms of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and Financial Aid and Scholarships which takes a look at what monetary resources are available such as Cal Grants, Pell Grants, etc.
“We hope that these yearly workshops can make a difference in encouraging young people to apply for college and reach their full educational potential,” Cooper said.
For more details about the college planning conference, visit www.sfvadeltas.org or call (310) 425-9152.
