Shalom High School students visit UW-Whitewater

December 9, 2008

Shalom High School student Da'Money
Gordon listens to the BSU panel For some high school students, college is just another step in growing up, but for some 18 year olds, college is a privilege not taken lightly.

Students at Shalom High School, an alternative high school for students at risk, are trying to defy their own odds. They spent Friday, Dec. 5 touring the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus, meeting with department heads, attending a panel discussion by Black Student Union (BSU) and a presentation by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity about getting in to college and financial aid.

UW-Whitewater’s Social Work Student Organization (SWSO) has been working with the Milwaukee high school for the past two years.

“The mission of Shalom High School is to allow at-risk students, young people who’ve returned from correctional institutions, an opportunity to earn high school diplomas and to prepare students to be productive, responsible, successful adults,” said junior Chae Miller, a member of SWSO. “When SWSO first thought we wanted to get involved with mentoring ‘at-risk’ students, we immediately contacted Shalom and started working toward a partnership.”

“We really hope that we are able to open more doors for these students,” said junior Rebecca Grabarec. “Touring the campus and showing them what they could have in store for their future will hopefully spark their interest in going to college and may even help turn around their life a little bit.”

The BSU panel discussion allowed the high school students to ask college students questions about life in the residence halls, on-campus jobs, majors, as well as campus life. Michael Brower, a senior student at Shalom, was most interested in learning about the criminal justice department.

“I want to be a police officer and know you have to go to college for that,” said Brower. “I’m glad I was able to ask people more on my level about how I can do that.”

The event began at 10 a.m. with a meet-and-greet, a tour of the campus, lunch, the panel discussion, the Alpha Phi Alpha presentation and a wrap-up.

“Overall, I felt the day went very well and was informative for the students of Shalom,” added Miller. “This was the first time we’ve had students visit UW-Whitewater and we hope to continue this in the future.”

“It was very cool,” said Brower. “I’m glad I came and saw what I could maybe do someday. I don’t want to be like everybody else – I want to make a difference.”

For more information contact Grebarec at grabarecrm08@uww.edu or at 262-427-2323.