Students Explore Higher Education Choices

Sebring High School junior Kayla Deeson plans on graduating early, in December 2009, so at Monday's College Night she eagerly gathered information and talked to admissions counselors about her plans to study nursing.

Deeson's mother, Lori Defisher said "we can't wait because she only has half a year as a senior, so she is going to take her SATs Scholastic Aptitude Test this year and make a decision at the beginning of the next school year.

Dozens of other high school students attended College Night, along with their parents, to gather information they will use in selecting a college or university.

The annual event is sponsored by the school district's Student Services Department.

Due to a prior booking at the Agri-Civic Center, the event was held at the Smith Center at Sebring High School.

About 48 institutions, including the U.S. military, signed up to participate. Only a couple did not show up, said Marie Sessman, from the Student Services Department.

Avon Park High juniors Lauren Marshall and Manda McFarlane were making the rounds together.

Marshall is planning on studying business management and staying in Florida to further her education. Edward Waters College (Jacksonville) and the University of Central Florida are currently at the top of her list.

McFarlane is undecided on a major, but is considering the same colleges as her friend, Marshall.

Marshall said the admissions counselors recommend visiting a college before making a decision.

As expected, the large Florida colleges and universities were represented at the event, but there was also a showing from a few smaller out-of-state institutions.

Kristie Vance, admissions counselor at Mars Hill College near Asheville, N.C., said "we get a lot of students from Florida and out of state. We just wanted to come try it out and see how we can do down here.

"Don't look for a school you want to transfer from," she suggested. "Find a place where you have a couple of programs that you are interested in - then try to stay there for four years."

Sebring High senior Elke Tagesson filled out a card for information about the University of North Florida as her mother, Linda, looked on.

Tagesson said she will probably apply to four or five colleges.