Beggs High School Hosts College Night For Rural Schools

Higher education is making its way to Beggs High School, in an effort to recruit students to centers for advanced education.

Beggs High School senior Aviyonna Harrison will be the first person in her family to go to college.

“It's exciting to see all these colleges out here, the ones that would be interested in me and everyone at Beggs,” said Harrison.

Monday, she attended her school’s first ever college night, looking at her options.

"We usually have to go to other schools to go to their college fairs or other colleges,” she said.

More than 300 students and their families attended, anxious to take in the opportunity.

"My kids have been at Beggs their entire school career, and it was the best choice I ever made to come here,” said Michelle Clevenger. “[I’m] really happy that they have a part in this."

More than 29 groups representing everything from colleges to military branches were there.

"It's important that I show there is a variety of ways that you can get an education,” said teacher Mechelle Cash.

Principal Autumn Caldwell added, "I think the main thing that kids need today is to know that someone is in their corner and pushing them to reach those goals that they have always wanted to have."

Cash says even in a time where education isn't always shown in the brightest light there are teachers ready to risk it all for their students to have the opportunities they need to be successful.

"It's a little overwhelming and I am ecstatic,” Cash stated. “It has more than met my expectations.I wanted people to see education in a positive light and I think I've done that tonight."

The campuses in attendance came to the students, but each senior also has two days to go visit the campuses themselves.