YEC looks to get the word out about aid

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — There are 44 seniors set to graduate from Youngstown Early College next spring.

They are the first graduating class in an educational experiment launched four years ago by the Youngstown city schools and Youngstown State University, and school officials want to be sure those seniors get a shot at financial help to continue their pursuit of higher education.

“We are looking for scholarship money,” said Wanda Smith, YEC guidance counselor, noting that it seems like YEC is the forgotten school.

The program is new and, with its first graduating class just now in position, the school isn’t on anyone’s mailing list, said Marcia Haire-Ellis, assistant principal. That includes colleges as well as the ACT and SAT college testing programs, she said.

YEC hasn’t even received any invitations to any college career fairs, Smith added.

Colleges and universities run their own scholarship programs and students who apply and are accepted all have an opportunity to apply for that financial aid.

YEC wants to make the private, local, regional and even national endowment and agency scholarship programs aware the school exists and that its graduates will be looking for help.

John Wilson, YEC’s new dean, said there are some discussions regarding the creation of a Youngstown Early College Foundation which would be an internal scholarship program.

“We need to do what we can to get into the loop — get the word out there,” he said, adding, “We’re going to be much more proactive.”

There are YEC students getting all As and Bs in their high school and college classes, Haire-Ellis said.

“We need scholarships for these students. They’re ready. They want to get out there,” Smith added.

“We’ve been under the radar screen. From here on out, we need to be on the radar screen,” Wilson said.

For complete story, see Monday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.