TRIO Day recipients from Hanceville Middle School included, from left, Jessica Marshall for Best Attitude and Shanna Helms and Darius Marshall for Most Improved. Not pictured for Best Attitude is Ramses Garcia.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s Talent Search students were celebrated recently at the annual TRIO Day on campus.
TRIO Day is for students in sixth-ninth grades from participating service area schools, many of whom are first generation potential college attenders, voluntarily participating in a wide variety of college readiness activities.
The group was treated to an exciting day on campus, which began with a welcome from Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics and an exclusive performance from Wallace State’s Singers.
“I’m excited and delighted you are here at Wallace State Community College and that you care enough about college to participate in this program. You are already aspiring to be something better, whatever you define better to be. The jobs you’ll have when you graduate high school and college may not even exist today. Every job is changing through technology and automation. That’s why it’s important to get a head start,” Karolewics said. “We want to be a part of your future. I invite each of you to attend Wallace State. It’s a good lift for your future. Wherever you decide to go, find that lift that will better yourself.”
Selected students in attendance were recognized with medals for most improved academic achievements and good attitudes through the entire school year.
For Hanceville Middle School, Jessica Marshall and Ramses Garcia were selected as the students with the Best Attitude and Shanna Helms and Darius Marshall were the Most Improved.
At Falkville, Savannah Garrison and Jennifer Wright earned the Best Attitude medallions, while Whitney Kemp and Ryan Lee were Most Improved.
“We are proud of all of you and we want to celebrate you. You’re here because you chose to be in Talent Search and want to be a better student. You said you wanted to make progress in your academic work, and that’s why you meet with tutors weekly,” said Kristi Nyquist, Wallace State’s Talent Search Project Director. “You are also here because you said you wanted to learn more about college and the process involved to get ready for college. We’re thrilled you are a part of this program.”
Wallace State students Joshua Dia and Valarie Yarbrough, both participants in TRIO, shared their positive experiences from being involved with the program.
Dia is active in the Rotaract Club and Baptist Campus Ministries at Wallace State. He’s a member of Phi Theta Kappa, serves as a SGA Senator and is a staff writer with The Mane Issue. Yarbrough is a Phi Theta Kappa and Kappa Beta Delta member, a SGA Senator and active with the Rotaract Club.
Talent Search students also had the opportunity to learn more about Systems Management and Production (SMAP), an organization at the University of Alabama at Huntsville that conducts research in support of the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal. Though many full-time engineers, computer scientists, and other specialists work at SMAP, the organization also invites undergraduate students at UAH and other colleges to assist in research projects such as drone development and 3D visualization/animation.
Dr. Norven Goddard of SMAP served as the event’s guest speaker and encouraged the students to attend college, pursue their passions and observe the SMAP display tables in the Bailey Center lobby.
Before the day was complete, the students toured the following Wallace State programs: Criminal Justice, Salon and Spa Management, Visual Communications and Welding.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
