TAF Academy at College Fair

Last week, our high school students ventured to downtown Seattle for the NACAC College Fair. Our students were among over 1,000 participants visiting the over 300 colleges and universities represented there. Getting to the NACAC College Fair only took a 25-mile drive north of campus, but our hope is that this trip will lead our students both much farther, and much further, than that.

Between our 73 students and nine chaperones, it was impossible to follow everything our group was doing as they enjoyed the trip. However, at any given moment you could see a group of students speaking with admissions officers and visiting college tables, attending informative workshops on topics like Financing College and Writing the Perfect Admissions Essay, meeting other college-bound students, and comparing their college lists with one another. Upon entry, each student got loaded up with a goodie-bag full of college information. By the end of the day some of those bags were so full that it was a miracle none of them broke.

9th grader Favour buzzed about the opportunities she learned about that could help her fund her educational goals. She was excited to learn that schools and organizations have special scholarship programs, and Favour is now set on becoming a Gates Millennium Scholar. We spoke about what she needs to do now—like continue to be a leader in her school community and continue to be a high achiever academically—to be competitive for the scholarship later.

11th grader Michael said that as a result of his visits with different admissions officers he now had a few new colleges to add to his list of prospects. He is already thinking through the practical aspects of his college selection, including considering the costs and benefits of staying in state or going away for school.

Many thanks to the many gracious adults from the TAF Academy community who chaperoned, coordinated, volunteered, and supported this trip!

During a break between lunch and reloading the bus, as students talked and joked, we snapped photos and talked to students about what they learned.

Sophomores Prem, Corinthase (We’ve got your back, Corinthas!) and Jeu’el

Sophomores Jonathan and Denis were all smiles.

Freshmen Apolonia, Luz, Pamela and Ayanna