“I had to drop my daughter off. My daughter was deciding between here and Long Beach City College. Both my husband and I went here. It is closer to home and the bus system is easier, so we chose Cerritos College,” said Charlene Holman, a parent of a new Bridge student while standing in the back of the student center on Wednesday, August 10.

Last year the cohort had over 200 attendees; this year the crowd was about 520, more than double in size.

The Cerritos Complete program, which partners with a dozen schools, was thought of by Dr. Fierro to push students to graduate by getting K-12 students by putting them in english and math classes; that way they are not waiting when they get to Cerritos and come in starting strong.

Coaxed with the promise of refreshments and give aways of gift cards and iPads, high school students filled the room to kick off the Bridge Program.

Career Counselor, Clara Ross-Jones explained the intent of the event,”We just hope the students feel ready for their experience as new freshmen and use us as resources for their collegiate journey. We want to retain a relationship with them through the next couple years.”

As a counseling lead, she has been working with the K-12 program to help the students reach milestones in terms of becoming students here by helping to organize parent nights, vocation and career counseling, financial aid and orientation workshops.

Among the many high school students was a university hopeful, Joseph Armis who explained why he was in attendance,”Today’s event is to guide us and help us find our classes. I came here to be prepared for Monday. I’m in the Bridge program to transfer out.”

Carla Yorke, the Dual Enrollment Manager who helped to plan the event and worked with getting the students their book vouchers and tuition fee waivers, expressed how she hopes the students feel welcome and that they’ve accomplished something be even getting this far.

She will support the students and make sure they start their fall semester off right by answering any questions in regards to their classes and financial aid; and offered some words of advice, “If you need help, come to our office and make sure you act as college students. Use each other as resources.”