Beggs High School To Host College Night For Rural Schools

A high school leader in Beggs is hoping to help pave the way for students' lives after graduation.

She's organizing a "College Night" just for rural schools in Green Country, bringing college representatives to students who may not otherwise get to visit with them. 

Back in 1917, just two students graduated from Beggs High School.

Now, with 88 seniors, the school counselor is determined to expose each one of them to opportunities for life after high school.

The new cafeteria at Beggs High School is expected to be packed Monday night. 

"I don't believe in doing anything small. You know, go big or go home!" said Beggs High School Counselor Mechell Cash.

Cash is bringing "College Night" to Beggs for the first time, allowing students to explore their options when it comes to their future. 

"[I] started calling, started emailing, every college in Oklahoma." Said Cash. 

Only a few agreed to come at first, but once she told representatives that students from several other rural schools would be there, more colleges agreed to show up.

She's got a list of 20 colleges and universities along with three branches of the military and tribal agencies.

In the past, students had to use what's called a "Senior Day" to go visit a college campus. 

"I actually have a lot of friends that are gone this weekend visiting different colleges, so for them to come to us, it's gonna be so great." Said Beggs Senior Kylie Hushbeck

She’s preparing for life beyond Beggs. 

"I want to apply to Princeton just to really further my education." She said. 

She's also considering OU. 

"With the Gaylord family college of communications, I just would really love to go there. It's really state-of-the-art. You can't get any better than that" Hushbeck said. 

Cash knows college isn't for everyone. 

"Education isn't just a cookie cutter. Not everybody fits in that little peg" Cash said. 

But it's important to her to give not just her students, but others from small schools the chance to see what's out there. 

Students will also be able to fill out FAFSA applications at the event for financial aid.

The event will be Monday night from 5:30-8:00 pm showcasing these colleges: 

University of Oklahoma 

Oklahoma State University 

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology 

Oral Roberts University

Cameron University 

East Central University 

Redlands Community College

Rose State College

Seminole State College

University of Central Oklahoma

Mid-America Christian University

Oklahoma Baptist University

Southern Nazarene University 

St. Gregory’s University

Connors State College

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

Northeastern State University

Rogers State University

DeVry University

University of Phoenix 

The College of the Muscogee Nation

Muscogee Nation Education & Training

Muscogee Nation Youth Services

Cherokee Nation Higher Education

National Guard

Army

Marines