Hedgesville High School becomes first school in West Virginia to receive honor
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) announced today that Hedgesville High School has been named a recipient of the 2019 American College Application Campaign’s 2019 School of Excellence Award. One high school in each state was selected to receive this honor in recognition of their strong commitment to helping students complete their college applications and continue their education.
The American College Application Campaign (ACAC) – a national initiative of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning – works to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other form of higher education after graduation. Nearly 7,300 high schools hosted College Application Campaign events nationwide in coordination with the ACAC last year.
“During West Virginia’s College Application and Exploration Week, Hedgesville High School offered many unique activities that fully engaged their students, faculty and staff in the college-going process. It proved to be extremely successful, with 217 college applications submitted,” said Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System. “Hedgesville High is dedicated to helping their students succeed after graduation. They have worked hard and are very deserving of this honor.”
“I am pleased to congratulate Hedgesville High School on its commitment to this program and the impact it has on our young adults as they prepare for their future. Awards such as this illustrate our ability to not only support students academically but to also be that bridge as they journey to the next chapter of their lives,” said State Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch. “I value the partnership between the West Virginia Department of Education and the Higher Education Policy Commission because of efforts such as these that open doors of opportunity for our children and have a lasting impact on our state.”
Activities at Hedgesville High School during College Application and Exploration Week included printing transcripts on the spot for students and career lessons for each grade level. Seniors also signed their name and college or career choice on a school mascot, painted rocks with their college or career choice, completed activities through CFWV’s website, and heard from guest speakers and recruiters about furthering their education.
More than 450 schools in West Virginia participated in College Application and Exploration Week, which was held last November. Each year through this initiative, students – from pre-school to adult learners across the state – participate in hands-on college planning activities, including college application workshops, panel discussions with current college students, scavenger hunts, and trivia contests. They also learn about the many postsecondary options available to them – from certificate, career and technical programs to two-year degree programs, four-year degree programs, and the military.
This annual event is coordinated by CFWV, which is a college- and career-planning initiative managed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in conjunction with the state’s Community and Technical College System and Department of Education. To learn more, visit cfwvconnect.com/college-application-and-exploration-week.
Follow the campaign on social media:
Twitter: @CFWV
Facebook: College Foundation of West Virginia
Instagram: @collegefoundationofwv
Hashtags: #CollegeBoundWV #WhyIChose #IApplied