Dr. Peter Barr tells Calhoun Superintendent Jane Lynch (far left) and school board members (L-R) Lee Evans, Cynthia Dale, Joy Starcher, Steve Whited, and Mike Wilson, about students that have a "hidden promise"
A Glenville State College program that is sparking excitement in thirteen West Virginia counties came to Calhoun Middle-High School last night.
About thirty students and their families met with Dr. Peter Barr and GSC faculty last night for the "Hidden Promise" program.
President Barr thinks West Virginians have practically everything businesses look for: a high work ethic, strong family ties and strong community feelings.
"We just need to figure out how to get more young people to go to college," he said.
Barr hopes to get more students to go to college and graduate, as well as raise their ACT scores, by partnering with the public school system.
Dr. Barr meets and greets Calhoun students who
are Hidden Promise scholars and their families
Glenville State has signed an agreement with school superintendents from Barbour, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Lewis, Nicholas, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Upshur, Webster and Wirt counties.
The idea is to create a line of communication between the county teachers and the faculty at Glenville State College.
"For whatever reason, there is a lack of appreciation for the necessity of a college education," Barr said. "Maybe your parents didn't go to college, or maybe it's because you don't have the financial resources."
Barr said there are plenty of college-capable high school students - those with "hidden promise," but they need a little guidance.
Barr enthusiastically spread his encouraging message to Calhoun students yesterday evening.
Students nominated by superintendents or their high school principals will receive a scholarship, attend activities on the Glenville campus and participate in summer workshops and ACT prep courses, Barr said.
They will also be assigned a college student mentor, who will be able to tell them about college life.
Some of the students have never even been on a college campus, which Barr believes will help "open their eyes" to the positives of a college experience.
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