Photo Kiersten Watson
Mustangs check out offerings at the 2023 College Fair

Joyce Gad– Mustangs Ahead 

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – LRHS hosted a College Fair today for all juniors Tuesday.  

Around 50 colleges including the University of South Florida (USF), Florida State University (FSU), and University of Florida (UF), as well as out of state schools such as University of Alabama and University of Tennessee.  

Students were able to meet with college admission officers and ask questions as well as learn more about potential schools.  

Junior Carson Palmer said, “The College Fair was a great way to learn about different colleges, not just in Florida but also out of Florida.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.” 

Junior Connor Wren agreed. “I really enjoyed learning about different colleges…it was cool to get to talk to them all in one place and learn about different programs.”

LRHS College and Career Advisor Dr. Carmen Purpus said, “We had schools from all over and our great local schools like Manatee Technical College (MTC), University of South Florida (USF), University of Florida (UF) and State College of Florida (SCF).” 

Purpus said she hopes to schedule two fairs, one in the fall and one in the spring, in future school years. 

“Typically, schools like to hold fall college fairs before seniors make their decisions and then a spring fair for juniors,” she said. “They’re in the beginning of their decision-making process so they can explore their options more.”  

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Charity Desanto Assistant Director Office of Undergraduate Admissions (UCF) said she was impressed with Mustangs in attendance.   

“Students here are very engaged and really prepared,” she said.  “It’s hard to know what to ask when you don’t know what you don’t know, but they came in with a mission and they knew exactly what questions to ask.”  

Keaton Lampkin, an On Campus Admissions Officer at UF, said, “We’ve had a lot of great conversations. A lot are focused on their future careers and their lives… definitely headstrong and know what they want to accomplish.”  

Overall students were able to gain an introduction of potential schools and narrow down their options.