Educational Talent Search

What is educational TALENT SEARCH?

The Educational Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assist participant with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE?

Meet the staff

To be eligible for the Educational Talent Search program, a student must:

1. resides in Williamsburg County and is enrolled in grades 6 through 12

2. meet federal income guidelines;

3. be the child of a parent who has not received his/her bachelor’s degree;

4. be committed to pursuing a college degree

Beverly Campbell Cassandra Graham
Director, ETS Counselor, ETS
campbellb@wiltech.edu grahamc@wiltech.edu

Michael Scott Marie Epps
Counselor, ETS Administrative Specialist, ETS
scottm@wiltech.edu eppsm@wiltech.edu

Danielle Nelson
Counselor, ETS
nelsond@wiltech.edu

SERVICES PROVIDED?

E.T.S. Students Learn How to F.L.Y.

Services provided by the program include:

• academic, financial, career, or personal counseling including advice on
entry or re-entry to secondary or postsecondary programs

• career exploration and aptitude assessment

• information on postsecondary education

• cultural and educational field trips

• financial aid workshops

• assistance in completing college admissions and financial aid applications

• assistance in preparing for college entrance exams

• workshops for the families of participants

Eight seniors from the Educational Talent Search Program had the opportunity to attend the 17th annual Wanda Hendricks-Bellamy Student Leadership Conference that was held in Columbia, SC January 9-11th at the DoubleTree Hotel. The theme for the conference was Learning How to F.L.Y.: Find the Leader in You. The conference was packed with speakers, workshops and activities that helped students to understand what it means to be an effective leader.

There was an Emerging Leaders Student institute on the 10th where select students participated in a day of specialized workshops for leaders. Upon completion, each participant received a certificate and copy of the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go. Jewel Cyrus-Green, a senior from Hemingway High School represented WTC ETS.

Another part of the conference was the F.L.Y. Art contest and show. Students were asked to illustrate or describe ideas related to the conference theme using drawings or photos. Artwork was framed for showing at the awards banquet and featured on the cover of the banquet booklet. Malik Heyward, a senior at Hemingway High School won first place. He received his framed copy of his artwork and a $50 gift card.

Our students truly learned how to F.L.Y. that weekend.