The week of September 18 was national “GEAR Up Week,” working toward gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs, in all of America. 48 states in America have this program that is used to help students understand and realize everything that they could do after high school.

The federal government created this grant where certain districts and universities have the capability of using this program. District 6 was one of those districts given the opportunity.

District 6’s initial two classes on the current grant that will receive this program are the 2020 and 2021 graduating classes. Those would be the sophomores and freshman at West right now. These students will be followed for seven years because they began following them when they were in 7th and 6th grade. These kids will be given the opportunity to go on field trips to trade schools, community colleges, and colleges in general to give them and expose them to as much opportunity to do after their senior year.

“This is such an amazing program and it shows students so much and gives them a great idea of what their after high school experiences will be. Their choice does not have to be college, just needs to be some type of training whether is a year long or ten years long,” Albert Maldonado, the GEAR Up manager at West, said.

Maldonado is looking forward to many field trips this year. The national GEAR Up Week is the only celebration that they will do all year but they are hoping to travel to at least four colleges. They will be visiting Aims Community College, Wyoming, CSU, CU and if those colleges don’t work out they are still planning on getting four colleges.