SPC accepting applications for the Summer Enrichment Program

BY FRANK DROUZAS, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG –  St. Petersburg College (SPC) is now accepting applications for its 2017 Cecil B. Keene Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), which seeks to assist community students to be successful in high school, college and beyond.

La Crecia Wright, coordinator of the program, noted that up to half of the 30 accepted applicants will be in grades 8-10, while the rest will be in the 11th grade in this two-tier program. She pointed out that “enhancing academic and personal skills for students to believe college is within reach” is an aim of the SEP.

The program will run from June 5 to July 13 and offers the opportunity for the high school juniors to take a Student Life Skills course taught by an SPC instructor, go on field trips, tour college campuses, explore careers and earn three college credits for free.

Grades 8 through 10 will be working on group projects and through the SEP, all students will also have the chance to improve creative and critical thinking skills, ACT and SAT vocabulary, life and time management techniques, study and test-taking strategies and interpersonal communication skills.

The program’s instructors stress time management and organizational skills. Meeting times are Monday through Thursday, from 9-1 p.m. Field trips will be on Thursdays, which can include cultural destinations such as museums and college tours. Parents must provide transportation.

Eleventh graders must have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher, Wright explained, and need to take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT). The aim of the PERT is to assess academic skills and determine college readiness and course placement. All applicants must interview for a spot on the summer program.

Wright underscored that the SEP is beneficial for the students because when they go through the program they are better prepared for the rigorous academics of high school and college, and stressed trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, integrity, diligence and leadership skills among the character-building perks of the program.

The deadline to apply for this limited enrollment program is May 5. For more information on the 2017 Cecil B. Keene Summer Enrichment Program, visit www.spcollege.edu/cbk/ or call (727) 341-4376.

To reach Frank Drouzas, email fdrouzas@theweeklychallenger.com