Frisco Day welcomes graduating high schools students

By Bridgid Skiba

The Guardsman

Hundreds of high school seniors invaded City College on April 18 for the annual Frisco Day.

Frisco Day is a citywide event that involves the San Francisco Unified School District and helps prepare students for life after high school. The project partners students up with educational institutions like City College.

This year’s main goals were self-advocacy, skills, college knowledge, persistence and options, according to Frisco Day literature.

Although some of the students didn’t have a plan beyond high school, Frisco Day provided an opportunity to learn about City College’s academic and service programs that can lead to transferring to four-year universities or obtain a certificate for skilled jobs, Frisco Day organizers said.

Angela Chee from City College’s testing department said the students were encouraged to take a placement test, but they first needed “photo identification and a City College identification number before taking it.”

Much of the day’s activities centered around the Multi-Use Building. Students lined stairwells and hallways leading to the testing and counseling offices. Many read pamphlets and other handouts about the college. Others, with boxed lunches courtesy of Safeway, were enjoying a break.

The college’s Interclub Council staffed a table with information about campus student clubs. Recorded music blaring in a makeshift courtyard in front of the Multi-Use Building cast a festive mood to the day.

As the students gathered in front of a small stage, Rose Letulle from the Gender Diversity Project spoke about the importance of gender diversity.

She said she cares a lot about spreading gender awareness and supporting her friends that are transgender.

Letulle’s message to the students was, “trust that people know themselves and to not be intimidated or afraid of somebody who might be very different … we need to respect other genders.”

Nomin Gambat, a Mission High School student, said she and her friends are planning to attend City College. “I am definitely going to CCSF, and I plan to major in psychology or criminal justice,” Gambat said.

Most of the students in attendance seemed to agree that the fun-filled educational day was informative and rewarding because of the many workshops focused on class registration, orientation, counseling, financial aid and student activities.

In the end, the visiting high school students not only walked away more informed about City College, but they also left with a smile and a free City College backpack.