Lake County high schoolers admitted to universities honored
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – More than 300 Lake County high school seniors, parents, school administrators and counselors packed the Thomas Aikens Student Center at Kelseyville High School on Monday evening to celebrate the acceptance of 120 Lake County high school seniors into four-year universities for the 2018-2019 school year.
Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg opened the evening proclaiming, “Lake County has some of the brightest students in the country.”
Although almost 80 percent of college-bound Lake County students are going to attend a University of California or California State University, Lake County students will also be attending universities in Vermont, New York, Texas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Utah, Arizona and Oregon.
Almost 30 percent of college-bound Lake County students will attend UC campuses in 2018-2019. Thirteen Lake County high school seniors will attend UC Davis next year, and five will attend UC Berkeley. Students will also be attending UC campuses at Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Merced, Santa Cruz and Irvine.
Tammy Serpa, education specialist from the Lake County Office of Education, and coordinator of the University Admittance Reception points out that UC Santa Cruz has students from all five Lake County school districts attending next year.
This was the 13th year the Lake County Office of Education has hosted this event. Its primary purpose is to honor the Lake County students who gained acceptance into four-year universities.
“The event also provides an opportunity for students who attend different Lake County high schools to create connections with students who will be attending the same university,” added Falkenberg.
The soon-to-be graduates also received advice from three former Lake County students: Jamie Buckner-Bridges (CLHS Class of 2003), Tietta Mitchell (LLHS Class of 2015) and Mariah Bickham (LLHS Class of 2017).
Each made a presentation based on lessons learned during their own college experiences. Advice ranged from self-care to strategizing with their parents beforehand on how to stay safe on college campuses.
Serpa thanked those who helped coordinate and sponsor the event including Kelseyville Lumber; Michelle Borghesani, director of Food Services at Kelseyville Unified School District; and Kelseyville Unified School District for providing the facility.
For a list of Lake County seniors who were accepted into four-year universities, please go to www.lakecoe.org.