Recent Grads Return To Share Their Experiences

A group of Cedarville High School alumni, including (from left) Rebecca Gregg, Katie Eberts, Jamie Hurban, Jordan Sweeney, Kara Griffin, Rebecca Bickham, Emily Feldhake, Amy Winberg, Leigh Ann Hamel, and Ashley Dresbach, participated in a college panel discussion for current junior and senior class members in December 2007. The Class of 2007 students described their college experiences after leaving Cedarville. (Les Cheneaux Community Schools photograph)

"Were you well prepared for college?"

"What's is it like to leave everyone you know and go someplace new?"

"What advice do you have for getting along with your roommate?"

"What is the food like?"

"Is the workload overwhelming at first?"

These were just a few of the many questions Cedarville High School juniors and seniors posed to the members of the Class of 2007 who returned to school at the end of the semester in December to participate in a college panel.

The college panel session was launched by school counselor Pat Feldhake to give current high school students the chance to hear from former students who had sat in their seats just a few years earlier.

The 10 Cedarville High alumni who served on the panel represented eight Michigan colleges and universities. They included Rebecca Bickham and Katie Eberts from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Ashley Dresbach and Jamie Hurban from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Amy Winberg from Adrian College in Adrian, Emily Feldhake from Hope College in Holland, Rebecca Gregg from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Jordan Sweeney from Alpena College in Alpena, Leigh Ann Hamel from Michigan State University in East Lansing, and Kara Griffin from Grand Valley State University in Allendale.

Approximately 60 Cedarville High School juniors and seniors attended the optional event, which was held in the school's music room. Several of the students who attended told Mrs. Feldhake that it was helpful to get some of their questions about college answered by people they know, who have been there.

"Students tend to be more comfortable and attentive when posing their questions about college to their peers, rather than to just teachers, parents, and counselors," Mrs. Feldhake said. "It's good to hear firsthand how students from Cedarville High School have fared during their first semester in college."

On average, about 75% of Cedarville High School students elect to attend college after high school graduation, she said. The remaining students will join the workforce or military after completing high school.

Mrs. Feldhake thinks it was reassuring for high school students to hear each of the 10 alumni on the panel say they did not feel prepared for college.

"They did encourage the high school students to take the hardest classes they can, and not slack off their senior year of high school," Mrs. Feldhake said.