By Spencer Dixon

news@salisburypost.com

South Rowan High School students said the college fair on Tuesday helped prepare them for the future.

The fair was held in the school’s gym from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It was open to all students to learn more about the multiple higher education options throughout the state.

Students could visit college booths and speak to representatives of each college.

“We are here to help expose students to the various accessible options for college as well as answer any questions they may have about the application process or college in general,” said Bolu Akinymi, a representative of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

South Rowan’s guidance counselor, Sarah Neff said, “This event is our ramp-up to college application week, which begins next Monday.”

Even students who are not applying for college this year were encouraged to attend.

“We want to plant the seed early, so students can think ahead to prepare for their future,” said Neff.

The seed is growing in many students’ minds as numerous freshman and sophomore students were in attendance. Freshman Brian Morris said the college fair was a success for him.

“I like to be prepared,” Morris said. “I came because I wanted to learn the classes and steps I need to take to reach my goal of becoming a registered nurse.”

Other students don’t have a set plan, but they understand it is time to start thinking. Brylan Barrier, a junior, said, “I know I need a future and I want to begin planning. It’s my priority right now.”

Another junior, Corey Jimenez, said, “The sooner you get started, the better it’ll be in the future.”

South Rowan High School plans to continue hosting college fairs in the fall and occasionally in the spring to plant the seed of college and planning for the future within students’ minds.

Thirty colleges and universities from around the state of North Carolina were represented. The institutions ranged from four-year universities such as Appalachian State, UNC-Greensboro and Wingate to vocational schools such as the Universal Technical Institute and the Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology.