TRIO-Talent Search
Mission Possible:
GRADUATE Contributed by: Lily Kemp, GHS Senior
F
rom Tuesday to Thursday, GHS Talent Search advisors, Lauren Burton and Sophie McTyre, visit GISD to provide students with advice and assistance on their college and scholarship applications, career plans, and more. Talent Search, one of nine TRIO
“College is any education after high
programs funded by the U.S. Department
school, whether it’s a 6-month certificate
of Education, was designed to help middle
or a 12-year doctoral program,” Ms. McTyre
and high school students with college
said. “We don’t work with only 4-year
and career preparation. The Talent Search
bound students.”
branch at the University of North Texas
TS Students participate in workshops on
has helped students in Cooke and Denton
test prep, scholarship searches, and academic
counties for over 31 years.
skill development. They can also schedule a
“It provides pathways and opportunities
meeting with their advisors to discuss specific
for students with diverse backgrounds,
aspects of their college prep journey or pop
which are vital in promoting educational
in the Talent Search classroom to ask a quick
success, retention, and persistence,” Ms.
question. The advisors are dedicated to their
Sophie McTyre said.
job and always ready to help.
The free program serves middle school
“I love talking about financial aid,” Ms. Lauren
and high school students. To join, a student
Burton said. “I have a passion for the cause
needs to be a U.S. citizen or permanent
because I feel like education is a great equalizer.
resident, have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and
If you can get some post-secondary education,
be college bound. Talent Search works
it can help increase your income and increase
with multiple post-secondary educational
your exposure to things.”
pathways. College doesn’t only mean
While the desire to help low-income
going straight to a community college or
and first-generation college students
four-year university after high school.
spurred the creation of the program, any
and all students can enjoy its benefits. Talent Search goes beyond helping with college applications; students also have the opportunity to take field trips to see what college life is all about. “The visits to colleges and universities are a great opportunity to see what is available outside of Gainesville,” Principal David Glancy said. “It is a difficult road to navigate, but Sophie and Lauren have the deep knowledge and, most importantly, the passion for GHS students to lead the Leopards to success.” The GHS advisors certainly are a huge help to students, but they aren’t popular just because of their ability to aid. Ms. Burton and Ms. McTyre have bright personalities and welcome every student that steps through the doorway. “They make me feel welcome, and they always put a smile on my face,” Talent Search member Tramera Bynum said. “They don’t talk down to me. They speak to me like I’m a person.” They have proven their dedication to the program’s mission numerous times, and emphasized that this is not just a job, it’s a career. “Sophie and Lauren truly have a passion for the students of Gainesville High School,” Glancy said. “From that passion comes the persistence and dedication it takes to make our students successful. They are empathetic with some students and tough on others because they know each one individually.” The program really works. In the spring of 2014, Ms. McTyre emphasized that six Talent Search students received full-ride scholarships. Overall, Talent Search seniors in Cooke County and Denton County have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money in 2019 alone, and 100% of Talent Search seniors are accepted to at least one college.
*picture above was taken prior to COVID restrictions Winter 2020 • Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light •
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