ATHENS – High school students from 35 counties explored pathways to higher education at a statewide gathering of 4-Hers last month.

The special event is known as Weekend in the Classic City and provides a comprehensive picture of diverse collegiate options in Georgia, .

Five students, Coleman Mangham, Bethany Samuel, Molly Wells, Mabel Scott and Leila Rimes, from Tift County 4-H chaperoned by Lauren Dubberly, Tift County 4-H educator, participated in the annual event that began in 2001 when Collegiate 4-H Club members from the University of Georgia invited high school students to campus as part of a class project, 4-H representatives said in a statement.

The initiative has grown to include nearly 100 students each year from widely varied backgrounds who enjoy a day at the birthplace of higher education. Weekend in the Classic City shows youth that there isn’t one answer to the question of what path to take after high school.

“Higher education is about exploring career options, interests and talents,” said Jenna Daniel, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H specialist. “This is the perfect event for that exploration and we allow high school youth time and space to discover these concepts.”

Each participating 4-Her enjoyed the experience with a designated small group that includes peers and adult leaders. These groups were facilitated by current college students who provided real-world perspectives on their educational experience.

This format encouraged engagement as youth were able to connect more directly with the narratives of those who are just a few years ahead of them. Through seminars, tours and panels, youth had the opportunity to ask questions, explore options and gain insight from their leaders.

“The Weekend in the Classic City showed me that college is a place where you get to prepare for what you want to do when you get older but you can also have a good time while you are there. I also saw that you can go into almost any field that you want and that you can always do something you like, not just a boring job. This was a really fun event, providing a fun and educational experience,” said Coleman Mangham, senior 4-Her.

“Learning was joined by fun as 4-Hers experienced a taste of traditional college life by touring campus, eating in a dining hall, visiting a dorm room and exploring the student activity center,” 4-H representatives said. “They also heard from UGA experts in financial aid, admissions and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 175,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.”

For more information about Weekend in The Classic City in 2022, visit georgia4h.org/wicc or contact the Tift County Extension office, (229) 391-7980.