Over 100 Des Moines Public Schools high school sophomores and juniors will kick off the 2010-11 school year with a unique community event providing them the opportunity to meet with current college students and staff. The GEAR UP fall kick-off event will be held:

The event will connect high schoolers with current and recent students and staff from Iowa colleges and universities in an interactive event to familiarize and de-mystify the college application and entrance process.

Students and parents will be served a complimentary dinner and then will split into separate sessions. Students will participate in a resource scavenger hunt, with college volunteers acting as resources and winners will receive prizes. The parent session will be a discussion and information session between parents, GEAR UP advisors, and college admission representatives.

“This event is a great way for the Des Moines community to come together to share knowledge about postsecondary education for high school students,” said Justin Villere, a VISTA member with GEAR UP. “With so many of our students likely to be first-generation college students, this is a great way for them to learn about what to expect as they begin visiting campuses, filling out applications, and making their decision.”

GEAR UP, or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a national initiative to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to succeed in postsecondary education. The GEAR UP Des Moines cohort includes 1,350 eleventh graders and 150 tenth graders in the five comprehensive DMPS high schools and Scavo Alternative High School.