Last month Colton High School participated in Oregon’s statewide College Application Week. The program assists students in preparing for and applying to colleges. The goal of the week-long event was to help all CHS seniors apply for some type of post high school education including certificate programs, two-year degree programs and four-year programs.

“Oregon College Application Week is a statewide initiative coordinated by Oregon GEAR UP,” school counselor, Kelsey Coy, said in an email. “The program is in collaboration with a steering committee representing the K-12 community, community based organizations and all sectors of Oregon’s higher education system. It is a participating program of the American Council of Education’s American College Application Campaign.”

Colton High School seniors participated in a variety of college awareness activities, including FAFSA workshops, application workshops and “instant admissions” meetings with university representatives. Coy said that to date 40 percent of CHS students have applied for higher education opportunities.

During College Application Week six seniors, Rayne Burke, Austin Carlisle, Dawson Hall, Brooklyn Olsen, Katie Wills, Maria Winczewski and Elaine Zinsli were awarded early acceptance to Western Oregon University.

For more information about the GEAR UP program visit oregongoestocollege.org.