On Thursday, November 10, 2023, XL hosted a college and career fair for students to find and learn about what they want to do for life after high school.
By: Liliana Madrigal and Chloe Falcon-Barros
Ismar Hernandez is the college and career ambassador for the XL program. The XL program is an after-school affair, in the library but they are also open in the morning. They have clubs such as a hip-hop club, an auto class, and an e-sports club. Hernandez helps students with questions about college and applying to certain jobs.
There was a college and career day last year as well, thanks to the help of Hernandez. She says, “I just called the people that I knew and I was like, hey, like, you know, this is something that we’re doing. We did one last school year during May. It was actually in the library, but it was very small.”
This year had a lot more organizations for students to ask questions about and figure out now what they want to do in the future, whether that means going to college or working a 9-5.
Hernandez says, “We just want students to start thinking about what it is that they wanna do and, you know, if they see something that they like, that sort of helps them set the tone for how they go about school.”
This college and career day was for all students, not just focusing on juniors and seniors. The school wants everyone, including freshmen and sophomores, to decide what they want to be.
Other organizations that were there were COS, Fresno State, Fresno Pacific, Bakersfield State, Grand Canyon University, the armed forces, and health programs.
How the whole thing came together was a “team effort.” Hernandez says, “I just called people that I knew and pulled from resources and I’ve had a lot of help from Miss Barba-Tepper. Also from the ladies in the front who have also helped me connect to people that I didn’t have connections with.”
To learn more about the XL program visit the library.
Chloe Falcon
Chloe is a class of '26 enthusiasts who loves drama and is a journalist for the Redwood Gigantea.
Email: chloe.fa0965@vusd.us
Liliana Madrigal
Liliana Madrigal '26 is a third year journalist. I enjoy baking, listening to music, and sleeping. Working for the Gigantea is cool.
Tags: clubs & lifestyles, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, visalia ca
