CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The next generation of West Virginian leaders are in Charleston this week for the West Virginia GEAR UP Student Voice Forum, a program designed to give students perspective on the importance of higher education and training.
Representatives from 21 high schools meet at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center over the next two days to hear from speakers, take part in breakout discussions, and learn how they can impact their schools as ambassadors for GEAR UP’s “college- and career-ready” message.
“Students are going to meet with each other, talk about some of the issues that students at their schools are facing, talk about what motivates them to go on to education or training, and hear from nationally renowned speakers that we’ve got here with us today as well,” GEAR UP Assistant Director Mallory Carpenter said.
The breakout discussions are a significant part of the forum’s activities, with students getting the chance to discuss what they see going on in their schools. Carpenter believes that can be a big step in helping them grow as leaders.
“I think it’s wonderful that they can meet with students that come from very similar backgrounds as themselves that all are experiencing similar issues and similar concerns, and they can say, ‘This is for me. College is for me. It’s affordable. It’s possible,’ and to hear that message and to continue that message,” she said.
That’s a message that already rings true to students participating in the GEAR UP program. Hannan High School student Destinee Curry already has a good idea of her plans after high school and credits GEAR UP with helping her find that path.
“I want to go to Marshall University and either do pre-vet or biology and go to some sort of vet school,” she said.
GEAR UP’s leaders want students like Curry to experience the Student Voice Forum so they can take what they learn this week and then share it with their classmates.
“We’re charging the students here today to take that message back to their schools and tell their peers that maybe aren’t here today that, ‘Hey, this is a possibility. It’s something you want to do, and it’s something that’s going to help you further your goals,” Carpenter said.
There are already participating students ready to do just that.
“Our school’s really small, and a lot of people don’t take their future seriously, but I want to and care for others even if I don’t know them,” Curry said.
West Virginia GEAR UP partners with 21 high schools in 11 counties, with two groups of students attending the forum in Charleston split between Tuesday and Wednesday.