WTRF: Local students pass along importance of higher education

WTRF 7 News Sports Weather – Wheeling Steubenville

 

MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. –  A group of local students are ready to tackle the new school year and pass along the importance of higher education. Higher Education Readiness Officers (HEROs) is a relatively new program happening at some high schools in West Virginia. The goal is to educate high school students about the importance of higher education, whether it’s a four year degree or a technical school.

Starting early is essential, according to incoming Sophmore Alec Kuskey.

“I learned that it really is a good idea to start considering college even if you are a sophomore and even a freshman. Um, to really prepare yourself for what you’re going to do later on in life,” said Kuskey, a sophomore at John Marshall High School

During a three day conference in Morgantown, eight students from John Marshall paired up with 23 students from Oak Glen High School, Berkeley Springs High School and Hedgesville High School to work on team building activities.

Incoming JMHS Junior Katie Whorton says they did a unique exercise to build confidence.

“We got to put something that we were self conscious about and put it on the board, and break it, like we were breaking that self conscious thing,”said Whorton.

Confidence is a skill these students will use as they work with their peers this school year, encouraging them to think about life after high school.

“It really pushed youth leadership and it really emphasized college awareness, and helping other kids do the exact same things that we just did so it was a really good program,” said Brian Kotson, a sophomore at JMHS.

These students, along with others in the HEROs program are planning a number of activities this fall, including marching in the homecoming parade, getting college pennants to hang around the school, and raising awareness about FAFSA and financial aid for seniors.