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Mundelein students get 'A Taste of College'

An "a-ooogha" horn blasts out of a College of Lake County classroom, eliciting laughter from a room full of Mundelein eighth-graders enjoying a lesson in lasers, photonics and optics presented by CLC Professor Bill Kellerhals.

Aside from having some fun, the educational presentation was designed to show off one of CLC's high-tech academic STEM programs and offer hands-on experiences on a college campus.

Participation in the Diamond Lake School District 76 "Taste of College" events has risen from 25 to 40 students this year. Besides CLC, the students also visited Lake Forest College and the University Center of Lake County.

It's the third year of a partnership between Carl Sandburg Middle School, West Oak Middle School District, Mundelein High School and Fremont School District 79, according to Myra Gaytan-Morales, assistant dean of academic programs and services at the University Center of Lake County and coordinator of the program.

Aside from the college visits, the "Taste of College" includes parent information meetings about preparing children for college (including academics and financial planning) and a dinner reception at Mundelein High School after the third college visit.

Nora Renteria, author of "Today's Inspired Latina: Life Stories of Success in the Face of Adversity," spoke at a dinner reception April 27. Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz and local business leaders also attended the reception.

"Taste of College" is part of the College of Lake County's ongoing efforts to support college readiness and dual credit (courses that earn students both high school and college credit).

To review information on how to prepare a student for college, visit www.clcillinois.edu/collegeready, or contact Sarah Stashkiw, manager, College Readiness and Dual Credit, at (847) 543-2414 or sstashkiw@clcillinois.edu.

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