Asheville Seniors Navigate College Applications Amid Recovery from Helene
As fall settles into the beautiful city of Asheville, North Carolina, the air is filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. For high school seniors, this time of year typically involves juggling college application deadlines, campus tours, and the future ahead. However, this year has brought unique challenges, especially for students at Asheville High School dealing with the aftermath of Helene, a recent storm that disrupted their routine and learning environment.
Facing Uncertainty
Seniors like Greta Rosenthal have found themselves in a whirlwind of emotions. “I felt scared,” she shared. “I felt really scared for college — I had met with a college counselor but have not really done anything yet.” The storm left students and teachers pondering how to move forward amidst the chaos.
Stella Slingsby, another senior at Asheville High School, echoed Greta’s sentiments, saying, “I was sitting here thinking I should get stuff done — I got a little restless. I was like, ‘I’d love to have support and people to go talk to about college stuff,’ but I didn’t have any of the resources that I would’ve if I were here.”
Taking Action
Recognizing the urgent need for support, Asheville High School teachers jumped into action. “We knew the application deadlines were quickly approaching — October 1 for some schools and October 15 for many others,” shared Lizzie Rogers, an AHS History Teacher. The urgency led to the development of workshops aimed at helping students during this stressful period. This initiative, called bridge-learning activities, aimed to close the gap created by the school shutdown.
The response was immense, with counselors and staff coming together to assist nearly 100 seniors during these sessions. Heidi Freeman, an AHS English Teacher, mentioned, “I didn’t realize across the board how many different issues the children were facing. They didn’t have mentors, feedback on essays, or access to their transcripts.” Recognizing that students were under considerable stress, teachers worked diligently to ease their burdens.
A Personal Touch
Rogers emphasized the value of personalized help during this challenging time, noting, “Some students got more personal help than they would have in a normal year.” As an organizer and a support guide, she focused on areas like essay writing and navigating the Common Application process. The hands-on approach seemed to make a significant difference for many students.
For students like Greta, the workshops were a lifeline. “It helped me with everything,” she remarked. “I finally got my transcript, and that was amazing. I did need a lot of help. I met some old teachers and other teachers that helped me.”
Looking Ahead with Hope
Now that classes have resumed in many districts, the sense of urgency remains. “Now, I’m still scared,” Greta admitted, “but I’m also excited. Now I know that I have a chance in these colleges now that I’ve gotten the help I needed.”
In a heartwarming response to the situation, many universities and colleges across North Carolina have extended application deadlines to accommodate seniors still reeling from the effects of Helene.
In Conclusion
The journey to college can be overwhelming, especially this year in Asheville. However, the resilience shown by the students and the unwavering support from teachers and staff are key elements in guiding these students toward their futures. With their spirits lifted and resources at their fingertips, Asheville High School seniors are now stepping boldly into the next chapter of their lives, knowing they are not alone in their journey.
