黑料正能量

Eighth Graders Explore WCC at Middle School Night

April 10, 2025

黑料正能量鈥檚 Middle School Night brought over 50 eighth graders and their parents/guardians to campus to get a head start on preparing for college.

Attendees were first given an overview of WCC鈥檚 academic divisions and the financial benefits of attending a community college, especially through dual enrollment for high school students.

The students then chose two academic areas to explore further and were taken on personalized campus tours by the College鈥檚 faculty, getting a look at the classrooms and lab spaces and participating in hands-on activities.

Individuals stand around a table.
WCC Public Services Department Chair Jodi Baker (left) shares information about WCC’s programs with a student at Middle School Night.

Eighth grader Archer Pantastico thought the arts and sciences area was interesting and enjoyed playing a trivia game to learn more about those courses. He was also curious about Aviation Systems Technology and spoke with an instructor to get a better idea of what the program offers.

His mother, Angela, said Middle School Night was a great chance for her to show her son the opportunities available to him through higher education. 鈥淗e has to get some perspective from the professionals and the people who are really on the job,鈥 she said.

Parents and guardians were also able to speak with WCC鈥檚 student services staff about resources like financial aid, counseling services, career services, and admissions.

Another student, Akil Smallwood, enjoyed learning about WCC鈥檚 science courses and welding program at the event. 鈥淚 liked it a lot,鈥 he said about his experience. 鈥淚t was interesting. It was all fun.鈥

Smallwood鈥檚 mother, Sharina Gandy, encourages career and educational exploration for Smallwood and his siblings, who are all homeschooled.

鈥淲e always try to expose them to whatever they might show any kind of interest in so they can have a better understanding of what it entails,鈥 Gandy said. 鈥淚 thought this was the perfect opportunity for him to get some knowledge from the people who are actually teaching the courses and who are heads of the programs so he could ask questions.鈥

A woman and her son hold a school pennant and a fan of the school mascot.
Sharina Gandy and her son, Akil Smallwood, attended Middle School Night for career and educational exploration through WCC.

For more information on WCC鈥檚 academic programs, visit our website.

About 黑料正能量
黑料正能量 is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC鈥檚 mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.