By Janet Jacobs
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana — Carlton Williamson wandered between the decorated aisles picking up brochures from the University of Houston, University of Texas and nearly everything in between Thursday afternoon at the annual College Day at Navarro College. It was a chance for local students to scout out their prospective colleges, visit with recruiters from the military branches and, of course, pick up free stuff.
At almost every table and booth in the Gibson Center gym were pens, pencils, candies, even small toys, mixed amongst the glossy brochures, catalogues and posters.
For Williamson, it was a question of exploring his options.
“I have no idea what I want to major in,” Williamson said. “I’m taking general studies right now (at Navarro College).”
As a first semester freshman, Williamson intends to transfer in a couple of years, but he decided he would start looking now rather than later.
For Leandy Rhodes, also a Navarro student, the University of Houston has everything he wants in a school — a solid criminal law program and baseball.
Ty Ritterbach of Frost High School was one of dozens of high school students from around Navarro County who also attended College Day. He stopped at a series of booths, including Texas Wesleyan University, but he also stopped to listen to a pitch from the U.S. Army.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said. “I’m looking at anyplace.”
For recruiters, it was a good afternoon with lots of interest shown by the students, said Amanda Sanchez of Texas Christian University. She had some pens to give away, but mostly she handed out brochures.
“It’s more important that you give them the academic information,” she said.
For the Navy, which did a booming business handing out tiny foam footballs, it’s all about attracting attention and getting the name out there, explained Petty Officer William Bays. If some students are playing with the football and another one sees it, it might spark some interest, he said.
“The Navy is an option, and the more stuff we put out, the more people are coming to you,” he said.
Recruiting for the military can mean long hours and lots of travel, he pointed out.
“The easier we can make it on ourselves, the earlier we can go home and be with our families,” Bays said.
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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
