KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Local students going on to the next big step in their educational careers were honored this week.
The Lake County Office of Education Career and College Readiness Department held the 11th annual Lake County University Admittance Reception on Monday in Kelseyville.
Each year, administrators, board members, counselors and college representatives all gather to honor the graduating seniors and their families who have been accepted to a four-year college.
This year, the schools invited 93 students, down from 104 last year.
Colleges included California State Universities Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chico, East Bay, Fresno, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Maritime Academy, Monterey Bay, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Sonoma.
Universities of California schools where local students are set to attend include Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz.
County students also will be attending out-of-state and private colleges including Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, Kansas Wesleyan, Montana State University, Full Sail University, Gonzaga University, Oregon State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Nevada Reno, University of Portland, University of San Francisco, University of South Dakota, Washington State University and Western Washington University.
Guests were welcomed by Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg and Assistant Superintendent April Leiferman.
Lower Lake High math teacher and class of 2012 alumna, Rachel Boyd, shared her words of wisdom and perseverance to graduate CSU Monterey Bay and become the youngest alumni to teach at her high school.
Middletown High 2015 alumna Victoria Roderick sent a video from her UCLA campus and encouraged students to jump feet first into college and embrace the experience.
Guest speakers concluded with Helen Ryan of Kelseyville High’s class of 2013 as she shared her story of how college is different from high school.
Thanks to the generous donations and loan of plants by Kelseyville Lumber, students were called onto the beautifully decorated stage to receive a small congratulatory gift.
Welcome gifts were requested from each of college with some receiving t-shirts, pennants and other spirit items.
Representing the UC system was longtime supporter Jacquelyn Ross of UC Davis. CSU bags were distributed by retiring Clear Lake High counselor Paul Larrea. The honor of awarding the bags for out-of-state and private colleges was given to Jeff Dixon, retiring principal of the Konocti Education Center.
Michelle Borghesani and her staff at Kelseyville High School prepared a buffet dinner that was offered free of charge to the attending students and guests.
During dinner service, guests were able to view a slideshow presentation featuring students’ career goals and special thanks to those that assisted them in achieving their college admission.
Students also were treated to a free drawing of prizes that included dorm survival bags, snack boxes and a special parent gift of chairs and mugs from Running Creek Casino. Photographer Tara Hall of Hall of Frame Photography donated her services to capture pictures from throughout the evening.
The University Admittance Reception was created 11 years ago to honor the hard work and dedication of local students and families who achieved a challenging academic goal.
In addition, the purpose of the event is to introduce students to other students throughout the county who may be attending the same or nearby colleges in the hopes that they can form a support system for each other.
The Career and College Readiness Department is proud of all of Lake County's graduating seniors and wishes special congratulations to this group of college-bound students as they embark on their higher education endeavors.
If you would like more information about the University Admittance Reception or would like to make a donation to support next year’s event, contact Education Specialist Tammy Serpa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Coordinator Norma Cromwell at 263-8918, Extension 284.