College Fair Fun
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Family on Friday, September 12, 2008 9:30 AM
This week, I had the joy of representing my alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, at our local county college fair. It was an eye opening experience!
As a local Alumni Schools Coordinator for Notre Dame, my job is to greet students, distribute literature, and answer questions about non-specific situations. I don’t make admissions decisions or have any sway on whether or not a student is admitted. It’s a volunteer job I love, as it is easy to share my enthusiasm for the University and my excitement about students’ future prospects in any higher education opportunity.
As a mom, it’s also a great reminder that I need to pay attention to helping my sons learn to make a good first impression - one that will leave a lasting, positive impact.
Sadly, many of the students I met last night don’t have caring adults in their lives who are stressing education, manners or their future. Large groups of students, having been dropped off by school buses, ran in rowdy fashion around the convention center looking for free giveaways and completely unconcerned with the real business of the night - learning about colleges.
Most of the students I met were casually dressed, having come straight from after school athletic practices or jobs. I was thrilled to have several great conversations with students who showed true potential, but more importantly were truly concerned with making good decisions in high school to qualify for college.
A few students really stood out in my mind. The common denominator was the fact that they shook my hand, introduced themselves, looked me directly in the eye when they addressed their questions to me, and listened attentively to my replies. It’s somewhat sad that these were more the exception than the rule.
Not every conversation I had last night will result in the student applying to our university, but when I’m speaking with students I always try to convey my sense of excitement about education and the great potential each of them has inside him, the great gifts God has showered upon each of them as individuals.
When I returned home from the college fair, I had a brief “manners” session with my sons. We reviewed shaking hands, introducing themselves, and making good eye contact. Both are making progress, so it’s something we’ll continue to practice. We’ll also continue to seek out occasions to build social skills and to interact respectfully with adults and other teens.
And as for some of the kids I met last night, I hope some day they will think back on the lady they met one night who told them, “You are college material - you are bright, talented, and gifted. Take the skills and abilities God gave you and use them to make this world a better place.” And I hope they’ll remember me fondly...even if I didn’t have a free football to give them!
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