By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist
On the evening of Oct. 7, Pelham High School hosted an entirely new faculty as experts on careers and colleges shared their expertise.
PHS alumnae Dr. Emily Casey led sessions on medical careers. CPA Mike Hamner taught sessions on accounting careers. Paula Henry, from UAB’s College of Nursing, shared her medical expertise. Mayor Gary Waters shared information about careers in public service. Sessions on financial aid, engineering, physical therapy and culinary careers were also a part of the evening. PHS alum Alex Bergman, now a student and research assistant in UAB’s Department of Mechanical Engineering taught a session appropriately titled, “Everything You Wanted to Know about Going to College.”
College representatives and military personnel, stationed at tables around the building, answered questions and shared brochures.
“Talking to university officials was a great experience for me. Based on those conversations, I’ve changed my priority school. I will definitely return to the PHS College Fair next year,” said PHS junior Robby Letson.
“About 275 signed in,” said PHS counselor Laura Cochran. Both Cochran and counselor Kerry Barber hosted the event to help students develop their future plans. Initiated last year at PHS, College and Career Night has become a favorite event among students—and some college reps.
“I recruit from 28 states and I have not had any school as strong in the arts—visual, theatre and writing—as Pelham High School,” said Savannah College of Art and Design rep Fran Jones. “SCAD has had PHS grads go on to great success.”
Many students were assigned college projects before the event and the excitement of the evening carried over into student-led sharing sessions in class days that followed benefitting even students who were unable to attend the event.
“I really enjoyed College Night. I was able to gain more information about many colleges. Being able to speak to recruiters one on one was extremely beneficial. I learned so much and was able to narrow my college choices. I’d like to thank the counselors and everyone else who helped make this experience possible,” said PHS junior Logan Burnett.