Talent Search Program Designed to Strengthen Student Skills

Summer Program Offers English, Math, Computer Science Courses

June 3, 2008

By Debra Cano Ramos

Anaheim High School students working in a classroom.

Anaheim Union High School District students take part in a Talent Search summer program held last year on campus.

More than 50 Anaheim Union High School District freshmen and sophomores will get a firsthand education of what it's like to attend a university during a summer program offered on campus by the Talent Search Program.

Students from Anaheim, Katella, Magnolia and Savanna high schools will enroll in academic enrichment courses in English, mathematics and computer science, hear from guest speakers and panelists on such topics as life skills, careers, self-image and post-secondary education, as well as participate in cultural and educational field trips during the summer program offered July 14-25.

Program participants pose in front of Langsdorf Hall during a campus visit.

This spring, Talent Search Program participants visited various area universities and colleges, including Cal State Fullerton.

Cal State Fullerton's Federally-funded Talent Search Program targets high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program is underwritten by U.S. Department of Education. Last year, Talent Search received $226,000.

"The goal of the program is to increase the number of students from low-income backgrounds who complete high school to enroll in a higher education institution of their choice," said Adriana Badillo, director of the program.

Tony and Maria Avila, parents of a program participant, pose while attending a workshop.

Parents Tony and Maria Avila attend a spring informational workshop at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim to find out more information about how to enroll their child in college

Cal State Fullerton, Anaheim Union High School District and community organizations have partnered to provide Talent Search Program students and their families with various services, including academic, career and financial counseling; field trips to universities, colleges, museums and cultural centers; and tutorial services for approximately 600 participants and their parents.

This spring, during a special program at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, parents of Talent Search students received information and advice on how to help their children enroll in college. More than 70 high school students in both the Talent Search and Upward Bound programs also attended a May 31 campus career workshop where community leaders served as role models to expose students to different career fields.

Cal State Fullerton students and program office manager volunteer at one of the parent workshops.

University students, from left, Jessica Reyes and Genesis Perez, along with Silvia Barrios, Talent Search office manager, help out during a spring Talent Search workshop for parents.

Talent Search is one of the university's federally funded "TRIO" programs, which focus on a variety of services to motivate and assist local youths from disadvantaged families pursue higher education. Other TRIO programs at Cal State Fullerton are:

For more information about the Talent Search Program, visit their website or contact Badillo at 657-278-8280 or abadillo@fullerton.edu.