‘I’m Going to College!’ – Cerro Coso 5th Grade Day Event Helps Kids See the Future

Cerro Coso Community college held our annual Fifth Grade Day Feb. 10 and 12, hosting around 450 students from 12 local schools for an adventure aimed at getting them interested in higher education.

The event kicked off with kids crossing the bridge to a chorus of welcoming applause from staff – and a few high fives.

After a Lecture Center welcome from emcee Ian Seiter, President Sean Hancock, and VP of Student Services Dr. Andree Thomas students were divided by schools to take part in a variety of breakout sessions Tuesday. (Athletic Director John McHenry joined Seiter in hosting duties Thursday.)

A module appropriately titled “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” tested a group’s knowledge of education-related topics.

“Who is the president of Cerro Coso?” was one question.

“Sean Hancock!” a group from Gateway answered in unison.

“How do you know?” Program Coordinator Amanda Barry asked.

“We just met him!” one student replied.

“Ask a Coyote” moderated by Seiter – who is an Outreach Services Program Coordinator - gave kids the chance to interrogate CC students about the reality of college life.

In one session, three current Cerro Coso students (aka “Coyotes”) fielded questions from Faller students ranging from favorite subjects and campus life to “the funniest thing” they’ve seen on campus. Answers to this last question in two cases involved a certain teacher who on the first day of class asked students to take off their shoes, put them on the desk and write about the experience.

In “Who did it?” kids had the chance to solve a real-life whodunnit, with the help of Paralegal Studies Instructor Dawn Ward.

A trip to the new baseball stadium Tuesday to watch batting practice was a big hit with kids, even when the visiting team missed the ball.

Thursday’s groups got to check out basketball practice in the gym.

It all ended back at the Lecture Center - where students were encouraged to pledge to get good grades and learn about financial aid to help make college a reality.

Schools taking part included Heartland, Trona, St. Ann, Gateway, Pierce, Las Flores, Vieweg, Faller, Inyokern, Richmond, Immanuel and Montessori.

Fifth Grade Day is a regular annual event for Cerro Coso, dating back many years. Past sessions have had kids doing everything from checking out the 3-D printer in the Art Department to learning the alphabet in sign language.

Regardless of the topic, the goal is always the same: giving kids a real-life experience to help them see college as a real-life part of their future, regardless of circumstance.

Back at “Ask a Coyote,” a final question got right to the point: “Why did you choose Cerro Coso?”

One CC student on the panel said Cerro Coso gave her a chance to figure out what she wanted to do – at a cheaper cost.

A second agreed.

“I realized I could live with my parents, save money and still get a good education at a low cost,” the third added.

“It’s financially accessible and it does offer a lot of options,” Seiter said.

Photo: President Sean Hancock welcomes Gateway and Saint Ann fifth grade students.