WHAT'S YOUR OPINION? Although the holiday has passed, the Columbus controversy (left) still continues: is he a hero or a villain? Meanwhile, (artwork on right) enjoy the fall season; more information on fall are in the News section!
gear-up returns to kennedy
By Justin Montanez, Assistant Features Editor
GEAR-UP students and parents are being introduced to a program that helps students realize an opportunity for help not only during school, but also into college, which happens around the country, every seven years, as a cycle.
“GEAR-UP’s goals are to help students graduate, to seek out options to graduate, (and) to help students and families with the necessary knowledge. To help them afford college, and realize the opportunities they have. College is possible, and we want to guide them through the process,” said Mrs. Agati, the program coordinator, and Miss Leonard, a program teacher and advisor.
The staff have good intentions for all students, especially adapting to this new way of doing things in 2021.
“All of the 9th graders can join. Out of 400 + of the 9th graders in Google Classroom, 300 have already joined. (They are) automatically enrolled in GEAR-UP. It does not cost anything. We are here for your higher education,” said Leonard.
You may ask, why did that name get chosen for that program? Well, there’s a good reason behind it.
“GEAR-UP stands for Giving Early Awareness and Readiness for undergraduate program," said the coordinators.
GEAR-UP benefits students in many ways, even after high school.
“We will follow you all the way to your first year (of college). We offer you many scholarships. We will find a way to get you into college," said Leonard.
Check out Room 242 with their large study space and literature library. GEAR-UP isn’t only to notify students of the opportunities they have, but also the parents and guardians also!
“GEAR-UP wants to open Parent workshops, so that everyone gets informed," the staff said.
GEAR-UP usually starts at 7th grade, but with COVID-19, they had to make some adjustments.
“Once every 7 years we start to 7th and go to their senior year. But, this year they are doing 8th year to a year after senior graduation,” Agati said.
Mr. Gutaukas is another GEAR-UP teacher and advisor who works with Agati and Leonard. How effective does he think it's been so far this fall?
“Right now I think the program is going well. Almost as well as it could be, given the circumstance," Gutaukas said.
