New Britain fifth-graders got the chance to learn about college life today by going to see one for themselves.
They spent the day at Central Connecticut State University as part of the Finish the Race effort hosted by the Ana Grace Project. Organizers say it’s all about opening up possibilities and showing kids from New Britain that college really can be a part of their future.
“It’s all about connection. So many of our kids have actually never set foot on a college campus and they all should. And they should be doing it early,” said Ana Grace Project at CCSU founder Nelba Marquez-Greene.
There were 400 students at the visit, touring the campus, eating lunch and learning about fields of study and the careers they can lead to before a visit to see the athletic facilities.
“So today they see faces. They see people that look like them. They’re being greeted and loved by university staff and that’s what today is all about,” said Marquez-Greene.
The children also got to interact one-on-one with current CCSU students.
“I think it’s really important because some of these kids, their parents didn’t go to school, their siblings are not in school and they don’t know what it is to get a higher education,” said sophomore Marivelisse Acosta.
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“What we really want them to learn is if they just take it in and take it slow and they have like a favorite subject, they can really grow on that and really gain the little things”: said Ian Gracia, also a sophomore.
The Ana Grace Project was founded in honor of Marquez-Greene's daughter Ana Grace, who was killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. To learn more about the Ana Grace Project at CCSU click here.
