Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) traveled to Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools during the annual Black College Expo Caravan event on Feb. 5, providing nearly $4.6 million in scholarships and granting 298 on-the-spot acceptances to some of the top HBCUs in the country.
Hosted in partnership with the National College Resources Foundation, the event featured more than 20 college representatives who shared various career exploration opportunities with juniors and seniors and reassured students that their dreams of attending college are possible. Vista High School students also attended the event at Firebaugh High.
“It was really cool to be accepted and to know that I’m capable of getting into a good college,” Lynwood High senior Zayla Freeman said.
Schools in attendance included Huston-Tillotson University, Livingstone College, Tuskegee University, Alabama State University and many more. Application fees were waived for applicants, providing students with cost-free acceptances.
“It feels really nice to be here,” Firebaugh High freshman Tristan Williams said. “A lot of people say to think ahead of time, so it’s nice to have an idea of where I want to go and be able to explore my options.”
In addition to having the opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants and instant acceptances, participating students were encouraged to connect with college representatives regarding potential internships and upcoming seminars designed to expand their college and career knowledge.
Event hosts also incorporated friendly competition into the event by offering cash prizes to those who received the first and most acceptances, which served as an exciting incentive for students to network and apply to as many schools as possible.
“This event is near and dear to our hearts here in the Lynwood Unified community, and it was a pleasure to welcome the HBCU Caravan back to our schools,” Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D. said. “Watching the looks on students’ faces when they realize their dreams of attending college are possible is an unforgettable experience, and we’re grateful to the foundation, the colleges, and the staff who helped put this event together.”