Summer Enrollment Program at St. Petersburg College

BY FRANK DROUZAS, Staff Writer

St. Petersburg College (SPC) is looking for applicants for its 2014 Cecil B. Keene Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), which allows students to obtain college credits, go on field trips and gain valuable experience toward becoming productive citizens in society.

La Crecia Wright

There are only 30 spots available each year for the six-week program, said La Crecia Wright, coordinator of the program, so space is limited. The 2014 SEP differs from previous years in that it is accepting only students who are currently in the 11th grade.

“The opportunity to obtain three college credits will provide rigor in our program and assist students in becoming successful in their academic courses for 12th grade,” Wright said.

The pre-collegiate program is free and runs from June 16 until July 24, Mondays through Thursdays, from 9-1 p.m. It is at SPC Midtown campus, 1048 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg.

Students participating in the program will be involved in group presentations, explore careers and use laptops and technology to obtain information for success in everyday life.

“Because it’s a college course we’ll have an SPC instructor there,” Wright explained, “and we’ll also have two other instructors for the hands on activities such as field trips, goal-setting and college preparation.”

Though it is a general Student Life Skills course for college credit, that doesn’t mean students will be confined to a classroom throughout the program. There are field trips scheduled every week and the destinations focus on education and culture. They have included college campuses, courthouses, museums, the Florida Aquarium and even a trip to Busch Gardens. Lunch is provided during these trips but parents must provide transportation.

“We’re excited to have this great collaboration with SPC to support and fund our program,” Wright said, “and most importantly to be able to give back to Cecil B. Keene, who did so much for the St. Petersburg community.”

Keene was on the board of trustees for SPC, and was an academic counselor at the Tarpon Springs Center and the Clearwater Campus. He also served as principal of Pinellas and Gibbs High Schools, and was dean of students/admissions at Gibbs Junior College. He passed away in 2008.

To participate in the SEP, applicants must currently be in 11th grade, have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and must take the PERT test. The deadline to apply is Apr. 28.

The program culminates with the Parent and Student Night, in which students can showcase their talents and various skills they have acquired in the six-week time frame. According to Wright, this night always draws a big crowd.

“It’s packed!” she said. “It is great to have that parental involvement.”

Wright added that an aim of this program is for not only for students to be better prepared for and successful in college, but beyond.

“We want kids to set goals and have choices and become lifelong productive citizens,” Wright affirmed.

For information or to apply, call (727) 341-4376 or visit www.spcollege.edu/cbk

To reach Frank Drouzas, email fdrouzas@theweeklychallenger.com