University of South Florida, Manatee County schools show middle school students college opportunities

SARASOTA -- Grisel Padilla was never able to go to college after high school. She said she wants better for her 15-year-old eighth-grade daughter, Jayleen.

On Wednesday, the two were with more than 150 Manatee County middle school students and parents who got a taste of what college is like at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

"I think this is a good opportunity for my daughter's future," Grisel said.

The Manatee County School District Title I Department, which services some of the poorest district students, worked in collaboration with the USF Admissions Department on the new event.

The event was free for students and families. Transportation was provided from Title I middle schools and students and parents were able to pick up information on the college admissions process and tour the campus.

A translator was available for families who spoke Spanish.

For students who may be the first in their family to go to college, planning in middle school is appropriate so students are on track in high school, said Title I specialist Cheryl Evans.

"We want students to know right now what they need and how to plan and get ready for high school so they don't feel they're playing catch up," Evans said.

Dana Arace and Katrina Anderson, USF admissions counselors, spoke to stu

dents and families about their experiences.

The two played a game with students to get them thinking about the importance of a maintaining solid grade-point average.

Anderson and Arace told students of their own struggles, including attending junior colleges before finishing up bachelor's and master's degrees.

"I'm here. That means you can be here, too," Arace said.

USF was happy to work with school district on the event, said Sean Grosso, admissions outreach coordinator.

"We want to let them know that college is a possibility," he said. "We hope to be a resource for those students here at USF Sarasota Manatee."

One of the biggest barriers for families is navigating the admissions system and affording college.

Bayshore High School Assistant Principal Eric Silenzi spent time showing students and families online resources available to help find the right college and secure scholarships.

"There are a ton available," Silenzi said. "It's just free money."

"Free money" is available to those who look for it and take the time to apply for scholarships, Silenzi said, showing Bayshore's website where school administrators keep a running list of available scholarships.

For the Padilla family, college will be a necessary step because Jayleen wants to play women's basketball professionally.

Jayleen said she just wants to learn more about what the school offers and about the process.

Mackenzie Robbins, a 13-year-old eighth-grade student at Sugg Middle School, also wanted to learn more about USF. Mackenzie wants to be a doctor, which she knows means a lot of college education in her future.

"We've been talking about college for a long time," said Mackenzie's mother, Susan Robbins. "I want her to have a better life."

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 11:56 PM with the headline "University of South Florida, Manatee County schools show middle school students college opportunities ."