University of Tennessee system leaders visiting White County High School Thursday to highlight post-secondary academic paths for students through the statewide Find Your Future Tour.
White County High School Principal Greg Wilson said the outreach initiative targets rural communities. Wilson said university outreach officials selected the campus as a specific stop for the tour.
“It’s a great opportunity for them as students to hear about what’s offered out there and how they can take advantage of different scholarships and things that are being offered by the UT system and again, we’re super excited to show them what we have here at White County High School.”
Wilson said the presentation will feature representatives from various campuses including UT Southern Chancellor Dr. Melinda Arnold and UT Chattanooga Vice Chancellor Artanya Wesley. The discussion will cover specific programs at different locations, such as nursing opportunities at UT Southern and new academic options in Chattanooga.
Wilson said the visit aims to address common concerns students have regarding the size of a university or the distance from home. He said the presentation uses video and testimonials to show how students from various backgrounds find success in fields like medical, engineering, and education.
“It shows where kids from all over go to these campuses, fit in, and find their future there, and whatever it be, if it be medical, if it be engineering, if it be education, whatever it is that there’s opportunities there for them to leave the Sparta area to go and get an education and several of them we hope to come back and increase our community and all the things that we have to offer here in White County,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the school recently established a partnership with the Ayers Foundation to provide two dedicated college and career counselors on campus. These counselors work with the university system and other institutions to help students transition to the next level of education, whether at a university, community college, or Tennessee Tech.
“They also keep up with the students after they leave high school and monitor and help them as they make that transition to the next level in education,” Wilson said.
The event begins at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday and will be structured as a school-wide pep rally featuring the band, choir, and JROTC. While the presentation is not open to the public due to space and safety protocols, Wilson said the program will be broadcast online through Warrior Media for parents and community members to view.