CHICAGO — Eighth-grader Karen Jackson cheered as her class presented information on Tuskegee University during the culmination of the 9th Annual College Week at Spencer Elementary Technology Academy in Austin on a recent Friday.
"College Week is so much fun," the 14-year-old said. "You get to learn about different Universities, college life and you get to decorate your classroom. It's a lot of fun."
For students, teachers and staff at the Austin elementary school, College Week has become a cherished tradition bringing students together to learn about various universities while exposing them to educational opportunities at an early age.
"The entire week is dedicated to introducing students to different Universities all over the country," Principal Tracey Sanlin said. "We want to show them what options exist for them. This day is to remind them about all of the possibilities that come with education."
Throughout the week, students participated in days themed around different aspects of college life, including College T-shirt spirit day, Greek life, and Alumni day which brought Spencer alumni to speak about their college experience, Sanlin said.
The culmination of the week brings the 840 students to present their class project to judges on their chosen university. Among this year's choices were DePaul University, Penn State, and Spelman College.
For some classes, students incorporated decorations with their university's class colors, while others created dorm rooms, incorporated dances, stomp performances, and even a fashion show.
Two classes teamed up for their presentation on Marist College in New York, in honor of their teacher James Dasher, who died earlier this year.
"The students knew he went to the University and they wanted to commemorate him by dedicating this entire week learning about his alma mater," art teacher Shannon Miller said. "The kids wanted their college week to mean something more for them."
Sanlin said the students' decision was their way to say good bye and honor the work Dasher did with them.
Alumnus Kasani Avery, 14, who returned to be a judge during this year's presentation, said the big draw for many students is the parade and following performances by the Jesse White Tumblers.
"The entire week is fun," the Prosser Career Academy freshman said. "The students get to learn about colleges they never knew existed, and then you get a parade at the end which is just so much fun."
The tumblers marched in the parade alongside students carried banners honoring the universities they profiled, and the week's events culminated with performances from tumblers, the South Shore Drill Team and the Proviso East Marching band.
Deborah Rollins, who taught at the school at 214 N. Lavergne Ave. for 43 years before retiring, called the event "a marvelous idea. "
"When it first started it was really a fun way to teach kids about universities," Rollins said. "But now it's really taken on a life of its own. Everyone participates, and everyone is excited about it."
"We want to plant that seed early, and hope that it blossoms," Rollins said.
Like Rollins, Sanlin agreed College Week opens doors and possibilites for students at Spencer.
"Often times, the future can look bleak based on what they see," Sanlin said. "This week and this day is made to give them hope and give them a chance to succeed."
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