It is never too early to prepare for college.
This was one of the takeaways from “UC Davis Day” at Zamora Elementary on Friday. The event welcomed representatives from the university, including Chancellor Gary May, to the Woodland school.
“Everyone in this room will have a chance to go to college,” May said to an audience of 5th and 6th graders at the Cottonwood Street campus. “You can’t start prepping soon enough.”
May spoke of his experience as a child obsessed with Legos and the TV show “Star Trek,” which spurred him to become an engineer. He said his current position as chancellor is like being a principal and a mayor combined — the UC Davis population is roughly the same as the city of Woodland’s.
He also emphasized the importance of getting good grades and participating in extra curricular activities.
“There is no correct path for going to college,” he explained, “but going to college can unlock all kinds of doors for you.”
May agreed to speak at Zamora after receiving a letter from two 6th grade students — Jackson Kitada and Madeline Frasier — who are student body president and vice president, respectively. Both wore UC Davis sweaters on Friday, proud of what they helped create.
May’s appearance was prefaced by a “college fair,” which featured all UC campuses, not just Davis. Students criss-crossed a courtyard, gathering information from every table from nearby UCD all the way to UC San Diego.
There were also other speakers from the university, including current students who shared their experiences. Gunrock, the UC Davis mascot, also performed.
“The chancellor’s visit is such an incredible opportunity for the students here at Zamora,” Principal Felicia Rodoni-Wilson stated previously.
“It is never too early to begin conversations about creating pathways to college,” Rodoni-Wilson stated. “Hearing directly from the chancellor and UC Davis students will not only help to create awareness and excitement but will also help to open possibilities in their minds.”
UC Achieve is an outreach effort by the University of California that promotes the message that a college education is within reach for students, according to Christina Lambie, executive director of Teaching and Learning for the Woodland School District.
Friday’s event is part of the UC’s efforts to expand the diversity of students enrolled at all of the UC campuses, and the purpose of school visits is to ensure that students, especially students in communities with low college-going rates, know that going to college is a realistic and affordable goal, stated Lambie.