More than 300 high school students from across the Houston area recently gathered at Houston Community College for a new event designed to shape their futures – the OneGoal Houston Student Summit.
This summit offered a platform to explore college and scholarship opportunities to propel them toward success in their educational and professional endeavors.
The primary focus of the summit is to provide valuable guidance and resources to students as they navigate the complexities of postsecondary education. Workshops and group sessions were meticulously crafted to address key aspects of the college journey, including selecting the right institution, planning for academic success, and smoothly transitioning into college life.
“We don’t tell every student that you need to go to a 4-year college or university to be successful; and truly, the job market doesn’t tell students that. The ultimate goal at OneGoal is to create a family-sustaining wage within that student’s life.”
Alex Dailey
Roughly 21% of students from low-income communities in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) obtain a postsecondary degree, a figure significantly lower than the national average of 67% for students from affluent communities. Many of these students encounter obstacles such as poor college readiness, limited resources and the intricacies of navigating complex college systems.
However, the OneGoal program aims to disrupt this disparity by providing critical support and opportunities for students without access to higher education.
Tanita Wiley, senior manager of advising at Bridge Year, facilitated a mock interview workshop to prepare students for college interviews.
“[The students] are about to graduate and are about to get the full journey into adulthood, and they will go through these experiences,” she said. “I think the earlier they are exposed to that, the better.”
Alex Dailey, executive director of OneGoal Houston, told the Defender that they support students going to college and help those interested in trade or vocational skills-based work after high school.
“We don’t tell every student that you need to go to a 4-year college or university to be successful; and truly, the job market doesn’t tell students that,” he said. “The ultimate goal at OneGoal is to create a family-sustaining wage within that student’s life.”
Diego Salgado, a North Brook High School senior, considered college at one point. Still, due to family circumstances and financial issues, he is choosing the military pathway before joining his parent’s construction business. The summit has helped him fine-tune his networking skills and build a strong support of mentors along the way.
“Your purpose and what you’re doing this for should always outweigh the negative. My parents divorced, so I’ve always taken up the leadership role in my family. So, now my little brother looks up to me,” Salgado said. “Although it is heavy, it’s life. Handle them effectively, and don’t t let the stress break you down.”
Camron Lettries, a senior at G.W Carver Magnet High School, will be attending Sam Houston University this fall, studying musical theatre with a concentration on dance. The summit helped him focus on his key priorities when choosing a school.
“My first priority was money, because school is expensive, and then will I be comfortable there? Will I fit in? Will people who look like me go there? Has someone done this before? Where are they now? What’s the outcome? What’s the income?” he said.”
OneGoal partners with 22 schools in four districts. The work doesn’t stop at the summit; it extends into classrooms throughout the year as part of the curriculum.
For more information, visit OneGoalgraduation.org.
