MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Lakewood Ranch High School is rolling out the welcome mat for future graduates.
The school unveiled its new College and Career Center last fall, designed to help students learn more about what comes after high school.
What You Need To Know
- This space is filled with job opportunities, college brochures and scholarship information from across the country
- Staff say principals from other schools have also visited to get inspiration for what they could do at their own campuses
When it comes to making big decisions, sometimes a little help goes a long way.
“I’m pretty excited. I mean, if I make it — I don’t know for sure yet — but if I do make it, then I’ll be super, super excited.”
Ryan Johnson is a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School.
When it came to choosing which college to apply to, it seemed like a no-brainer.
“I really wanted to go to the Gators because my grandpa was a Gator, and my mom also went there as well.”
But he wanted to make sure it was the right choice.
And the new Career Corner inside Lakewood Ranch High School’s library helped confirm his decision.
“I mean, there are so many colleges you can choose from and browse through, so I think that’s what helped me choose the Gators.”
This space is filled with job opportunities, college brochures and scholarship information from across the country.
“Some people want to learn more about technical colleges in the area, and some want to jump right into a job after school. So all the different aspects of the career center really cater to all types of people.”
It’s a resource that 12 students helped create alongside the school’s college and career advisor, Vito Bavaro.
“When I took over this job two years ago, my vision was to create a place where students could come in and find jobs, applications and scholarships all in one spot.”
He says principals from other schools have also visited to get inspiration for what they could do at their own campuses.
“And we’ve had a lot of parents say, ‘Wow, we didn’t have this when I was in high school.’ So I thought if we could put all this stuff out here, the kids will come. If you build it, they will come.
And students have come in since the center opened, giving the seniors who created it a chance to leave a lasting legacy.
“I think more students will be able to explore all the different colleges. There’s MTC, all the way up to Division 1 schools, so I think they can find whatever suits them.”
It’s a one-stop shop for students to find their path forward after high school graduation.
Julia Hazel
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