With the school year coming to an end, seniors are making decisions about where and what they want to do with their lives. Seniors have many different opportunities to tour colleges to get a feel for the campus and to see what is offered. Mrs. Gonzales and the other counselors at LBHS took students on a field trip to Merced Junior College on April 18. The field trip which was called Blue Devils Preview was just for high school seniors from LBHS, Dos Palos and Pacheco High School.
This field trip was not just college information, but it was also a really fun experience that allowed students to walk the campus and ask questions. Students got to interact and make new friends with other students who are maybe or planning on attending Merced College.
Lezzetti De La Riva (12), stated, “It was a very nice campus, I enjoyed my time over there. They had so many fun games to play, and it was overall an enjoyable experience.”
Students heard different speakers who spoke about financial aid, the bookstore, and how to register for class in the fall. This was all really helpful because many students do not know this information and knowing this will help them succeed.
Some of the services offered are free tuitions, alternative resources such as EOP and DSPS, Cal-work and care for single parent house-holds. In addition, services provide book service and additional grant money and school supplies. ASME free printing and a food pantry for students who need a free snack once a day and a free bag of groceries once a month. The college is working on building a cafe with Starbucks produce. Free bus passes are available for any student enrolling in a credit course.
Mrs. San Juana Gonzalez, Career and College counselor, stated, “This was a fun experience for the students that are planning to go there because they got to see their campus.”
This event offered some fun activities during the day. Students met the school mascot, Blaze who is a Blue Devil. He danced and gave out stickers. They also had different games, a photo booth, and free food. All students and staff who went on the field trip received a plate of tacos, aguga fresa, and ice cream.
This campus was built in 1962 and has been running ever since. It provides students with an opportunity to go to a community college close to home. The connection between the one in Merced and the campus in Los Banos is that they are the same college, and they offer the same services. The only difference is the one in Merced is bigger and further away. The Los Banos Merced campus is located off of west 152. It is a 15 minute commute but sometimes it will be a little bit longer because of traffic if students are driving across town. Students should consider this college because this is their local committee college, and they get two years free of community college. It is a great transition school from high school to college. They also offer a lot of services for various students’ needs.
