HYLA Students Tour State Universities

The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) High School Program Class of 2016 embarked on a college cruise on September 20th and 21st in order to tour state colleges and universities and get a glimpse of higher education opportunities in the state.  “The college cruise provides our young leaders with the opportunity to see what Mississippi has to offer in the college arena. Many of the students have not yet had the chance to visit or tour the campuses and learn about their programs,” says director Rhonda Rhodes.
 
On September 20, 2016, the group traveled to University of Southern Mississippi where they met with counselors to discuss the admissions and scholarship application process.  They also met with faculty from the College of Nursing and then toured the Clinical Simulation lab.  There, the students were faced with a mock “code red” and were able to resuscitate the SIM back to life.  The visit was complete with a tour of the entire campus and lunch at the Fresh Food Company.
 
From Hattiesburg, the leadership group traveled to Oxford and spent the night at The Inn at Ole Miss. Students were able the walk around The Square and ate dinner at the Old Venice Pizza Company. The next morning the group met with University of Mississippi Admissions Director, Whitman Smith, who stressed the importance of choosing the right college based on the students’ needs and highlighted what the university has to offer.  Students were treated to a campus tour which included an up-close look at The Center for Manufacturing Excellence and the Meek School of Journalism.
 
From Oxford, the tour continued on to Starkville to tour the campus of Mississippi State University. Admissions greeted the students and introduced them to the wide variety of programs offered by Mississippi State. Students then toured the College of Veterinary Medicine where they were able to see firsthand how a high quality learning experience is balanced with advancing research while simultaneously serving the community through clinical care.  The Leo Seal, Jr. Football Complex was next on the tour, where students were able to walk through the locker rooms and workout facility and observed the Bulldogs on their practice field. The day ended with dinner at the Fresh Food Company.
 
The 2016 HYLA High School Class is comprised of twenty-nine high school juniors from Hancock County who represent all four area schools.  Applications for the 2017 junior high and high school classes are currently being accepted. Applications are available through all area schools, on the Hancock Resource Center website, www.hancockhrc.org, or by calling 228-463-8887.    HYLA staff will hold a workshop for interested high school applicants on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.  in the Hancock Resource Center office, located at 308 Highway 90, Suite D in Waveland (behind McDonald’s, across from the movie theater). This workshop will cover in detail the application and interview process as well as expectations for personal statement submission.   The deadline for submission of applications for both the junior high and high school programs is no later than 4 p.m., Monday, October 24, 2016.  Contact Rhonda Rhodes or Paige Lundgren for more information, 228-463-8887.
 
Picture:  HYLA students at the Meek School of Journalism at the University of Mississippi.
Front row (left to right) – Ed Meek, Rhonda Rhodes (Director), Amy Keith (Hancock), Marie Konopacki (Hancock), Abby Ladner (OLA), Haley Akers (Hancock), Ariana Rusher (Hancock), Jill Seymour (Bay High), Morgan Lacoste (Hancock).
2nd row (left to right) – Jasmine Martin (Hancock), Brooke Rasco (Hancock), Katie Ladner (Hancock), Talia Jackson (Bay High), Tarah Necaise (Bay High), Paige Lundgren (Program Coordinator).
3rd row – Aidia Suter (Bay High), Elora Pierce (Bay High), Jordan Ladner (Hancock), Minerva Alonso (Bay High), Claire Lundgren (OLA), Brooke Ladner (Hancock)
4th row – Adara Rutherford (Hancock), Cooper Compretta (Bay High), Dimetri Lyons (Bay High), Bradley Lewis (Hancock), Drew Burnett (SSC),
5th Row – Tim Papania (Hancock), Seth Taylor (SSC), Cody Peranich (SSC), Corbin Blanchard (SSC), Andrew Elkins (SSC).