Youngstown students to interview potential classmates Thursday

YOUNGSTOWN

Twelve Rayen Early College Middle School students will participate in the shaping of the incoming class.

The students will be part of Thursday night’s interviewing of prospective students. A group of eighth-graders worked after school one day to develop the questions, and students from all grade levels were chosen to be part of the interviews.

“Describe yourself in three words” and “Why do you want to come to REC?” are two of the questions.

Rayen Early College, which houses sixth through eighth grades, is one of the Youngstown City School District’s specialty schools. Students must apply to and be interviewed before acceptance. They also must meet certain academic requirements.

Cameryn Serenity Stevenson, 12, a sixth-grader, said they’re looking for classmates who are mature and well-spoken. They also should exhibit confidence, added seventh-grader Altonio Clark, 13.

“They should also have good behavior and good grades,” said sixth-grader Aalissia Thomas, 12. “They expect a lot of us at this school.”

Read more about this unusual application process in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.