Natrona County GEAR UP celebrates 18th year
Everyone is invited to attend the 18th year of success with GEAR UP staff and alumni during a special celebration on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 4-6 p.m. in the GEAR UP offices. The celebration will take place in Strausner Hall, Room 221.
The celebration is part of National GEAR UP Week. GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a federally-funded, statewide grant in Wyoming that provides services to 2,000 7th-12th grade, income-eligible students annually.
“We are excited this year to celebrate all the students and families currently working with us to prepare for postsecondary education. Additionally, we are honored to celebrate the hundreds of students and families we have worked with over the past 18 years and the successes they have achieved,” said Andrea Covert, GEAR UP regional director.
According to Covert, 280 Natrona County students currently participate in the program, whose services are free to qualifying youth in Natrona County. “The goal of our program is to increase the number of eligible students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education,” Covert noted.
Comments from students who have participated in the program include, “GEAR UP always puts a big emphasis that education is always attainable and accessible for everybody,” “There′s a lot of different avenues that you can go down to be able to reach your goals. GEAR UP makes sure that you have the small things that accumulate into bigger things so that you can succeed.”
The celebration will also highlight those who have partnered with GEAR UP of Natrona County to help make it such a success, including the Natrona County School District. “We are thankful to the NCSD for inviting us into schools to meet students and all the support they offer. Further, we thank all the teachers for the tireless work they do with students. Our mission wouldn’t be possible without them, and we look forward to maintaining this partnership in the coming years,” said Covert.
To learn more about the GEAR UP program, visit them in Strausner Hall, Room 221, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday or call 307-268-2047. Strausner Hall is located on the Casper College campus.