By Justice Covert, Columbia Missourian
When Kamyla Gracia was in fifth grade, she opted to attend the monthlong Summer Expeditions program instead of an art camp for a chance to learn new things and spend a week taking classes at Columbia College.
That was three years ago. Now, 13-year-old Gracia has attended the program every summer since and aspires to work in the medical field, either as a neurosurgeon or orthopedic doctor. Though she hasn’t nailed down a dream college destination, Gracia said the “Summer X” program has helped her see what her future could hold.
“It’s really fun just to see all the different stuff that we can do,” Gracia said of the week at the college. “I like coming here because you can catch a glimpse of your future, like, all the different classes that you do.”
This summer, around 85 fifth through eighth graders across the Columbia Public Schools system took classes at Hickman High School, learning subjects such as math, language arts and STEM. The students also learned how to be stronger swimmers and how to play tennis.
This past week, the students spent a week learning about the college experience and worked on projects with professors at Columbia College. Upon completion of the summer program June 28, each student could earn a $2,500 scholarship they can use if they enroll at Columbia College as an undergraduate student. …
The program partnership, funded by the Veterans United Foundation, was formed under a shared dream between former Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Peter Stiepleman and Columbia College Political Science Professor Terry Smith.
Read more: Summer Expeditions program allows students to catch a glimpse of college life
