LeFlore eighth and ninth grade GEAR UP students recently toured CSC (Connors State College) in Warner, Okla. CSC Assistant Director of Recruitment Chandler Young met with the group. Young provided students with a handout, which included information about academic degrees, campus life, tuition cost, financial aid, and more. Young answered questions about degree programs and discussed her own college experience with the students. Young then led students on a campus tour, visiting the educational buildings. Students sat in a classroom while Young discussed the difference between high school and college classes. Students ventured across campus to visit the Melvin Self Fieldhouse where they admired the Connors State Athletic Hall of Fame. Young led the students into the gym where the walls were adorned with championship banners. Young discussed the athletic programs available at CSC before taking the students to the equine barn where college students are allowed to house their horses. The last stop of the tour was lunch in the Student Union. Students enjoyed a variety of different foods while dining with Young and CSC students.

The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017, and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.