Grambling State University hosted the spring semester’s High School Day, where several schools from various parts of the country came on campus to experience Grambling and what it has to offer on Saturday April 16.
The many schools that attended the event include Peabody Magnet High from Alexandria, Huntington High School from Shreveport, various individuals from Dallas, Texas, St Louis, Missouri, and towns from Arkansas, Chicago and California. Many of those who attended had already started the registration process while others had already been admitted to the university. The event began with a tour around campus by the Residential Life assistants. The main purpose was to show the various dorm that were available to live in with stops at Attucks, Wheatley, Pinchback, Douglass and Bowen to show the models of housing, apartment style, double occupancy.
ZAPHANY BANKS/Courtesy photo
Highschoolers and parents showing their support of the Grambling legacy.
After the hosing tour the prospective students were guided to Grambling Hall auditorium so as to start the registration process and inform parents of the requirements for their child or children to be students of the university. Latari Flemming, the director of student activities, noted that they had a high turnout of 315 attendees on campus which includes students and chaperones. “Out of the 315 students that were here we had an amount of 160 who have been admitted already,” reported Flemming. He also noted that “those who came from a far distance had already been admitted. So the event was to seal the deal.”
The students were then told to visit the Nursing building to attend a presentation of the various departments on campus. Some of those departments that were present include the Student Wellness, GAP, the sciences, math and engineering technology, social work and child education, kinesiology, criminal justice, visual and performing art, mass communication and business management.
Information on financial aid was also provided to those who has an interest. The main event was held in the auditorium of the same building. Entertainment was provided by DJ ‘Twinz’ and hosted by Shelby Prout and began at 10:30 in the morning.
The event was started by a welcome by the current SGA President Jonathan Wallace, thanking those who were in attendance that they will experience the ‘#GramFam’ experience and equated the whole university as a family. Next, President Willie Larkin addressed the audience were he emphasized the importance of college being a, “serious business” but noted that one can have their fun but must not forget the need of academic excellence. Student ambassador D’Angelo Florence also presented where he related his experience as a transfer student and how well the Grambling community accepted him as one of their own.
The entertainment section of the presentation included a drum performance by Ya’Lisha L Gatewood. During the intermissions between each section of the various presentations both the host and the DJs performed various skits to keep the mixed audience entertained. Next Miss Grambling, Joiya Smith, miss sophomore, Noelle Barnes and miss junior, Genesis Williams addressed the audience by thanking them for coming to the event and choosing Grambling State as their future college.
After brunch the day’s proceedings was moved to the black and gold room in the Favrot student union. This event was organized by David C. Ponton Jr and Latari Flemming. The Huntington High School performed in the room, entertaining the audience with an outstanding performance. The band played in three separate sections, first the entire band and cheerleaders performed followed by a drumline act then a choreography by the cheerleaders. Also, the Greek organizations showed up and put on a show that everyone enjoyed that displayed the brotherhood and sisterhood that is here on Grambling State campus. Shelby Prout, hosted both parts of the event and noted that his experience with holding these events was “always great”.
Several high school attendees commented on the overall atmosphere of the such as Amy Cabrera a senior from Warren Easton High School New Orleans, Louisiana, “Everyone was welcoming. Everyone was nice.” She intends to major in biology. Another student, William Muhammed Hamilton, a junior from Huntington High School Shreveport, Louisiana said, “I like the school. It was informative . . .” He has yet to decide a major.
Antonio Laws a junior from Lamar High School, Houston Texas said, “I learned a lot about Grambling.” He wants to major either in law or in education. Brittney Wilkins a senior from Warren Easton High School, New Orleans, Louisiana said, “I think I made my final decision.” She plans to major in criminal justice.
There are no plans of hosting another High School day in the summer as the institution will begin their early student orientation for incoming freshmen.