IN THIS EDITION
PRACTICE MAKES CONFIDENT
MOCK INTERVIEWS WITH OUR BOARD MEMBERS HELP 8TH GRADERS FIND THEIR VOICE
Every year, some of the most powerful moments in our college readiness program happen at a small table with two chairs, a pen, and a piece of paper.
At our annual mock interview event, our 8th grade scholars are greeted by a CollegeReady board member who has volunteered their time to meet with them one-on-one. Each board member is given a set of guiding questions that spark conversation and get our students thinking about how they communicate.
The goal isn’t to stump them – it’s to help our students learn valuable interview skills.
They practice handshakes, work on maintaining eye contact, and try their best to answer thoughtfully while asking reciprocal questions and keeping small-talk going – all with an adult they’ve just met.
For many students, it was their first time practicing one-on-one conversation with adults outside their school or family. Although our scholars were nervous to participate, they all remarked that the experience wasn’t as scary as they thought it would be!
After the interviews, this year we also gave students and board members the chance to connect in a more relaxed social setting, complete with pizza and conversation-starter cards.
“The art of small talk and 1:1 conversation is an incredibly important skill to learn for the future,” explains board member Melissa Van Gheem (pictured far left in the group photo below). “This is a great way to get them comfortable.”
This event is about more than interview skills. It’s about confidence, and about learning how to show up in a room, introduce yourself, and believe that your voice belongs there.
And thanks to our board members, our students get to practice that before the world asks them to do it for real!
Find out more about our college readiness program at collegereadywi.org/readiness
FAMILY WORKSHOPS PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
CollegeReady’s monthly Family Workshops are now offering local students new ways to volunteer, get involved, and build leadership skills.
Students in our college readiness program are eager to give back and earn volunteer hours. Each month, several CollegeReady scholars volunteer at Family Workshops, helping our staff greet families and distribute workshop materials.
Alongside our student helpers is an incredible group of UW-Green Bay students who volunteer their time as Spanish-speaking interpreters. They help our staff share information and facilitate discussions in English and Spanish. This is incredibly helpful for our families and staff, and also gives these college students valuable skills and experience for their future careers!
Another exciting addition is our Scholar of the Month recognition series, which highlights two students who are going above and beyond in the pursuit of knowledge, growth, and the CollegeReady Spirit.
We couldn’t be prouder of these incredible students who are making a difference in our community!
LET’S WELCOME DANA!
BRINGING HER ENTHUSIASM FOR HELPING STUDENTS INTO A NEW ROLE AT COLLEGEREADY
CollegeReady is thrilled to welcome Dana LeMoine to the organization as our Scholarships & Student Success Coordinator.
In this newly created position, Dana works hands-on with our scholarship program – helping students apply for CollegeReady scholarships and managing the scholarship process – and providing ongoing support to our current scholarship recipients.
“Although I love higher education, I do not love the price tag that can come along with it,” she shares. “I recently moved away from art education into the realm of college readiness and learned a ton about the need for college readiness programs and funding to pursue higher education. I knew right away that this would be my future because it would allow me to make a larger impact when helping students.”
Welcome, Dana!
THIS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT IS DRIVEN BY CURIOSITY, POWERED BY OPPORTUNITY
One thing that makes me proud is my dedication to expanding my knowledge at all times. Right now I am learning Morse code in my free time – it’s so interesting, and I love learning something new.
Thank you so much for making it possible for me to receive an education that will allow me to achieve my dreams and make a difference in my community. I am endlessly grateful to have someone who believes in me as much as you do.
I hope to eventually earn my PhD in soil or environmental chemistry and make a difference by applying my education to relevant issues.
JADE
UW-Madison, Chemistry major
Sturgeon Bay High School grad
