Hartshorne 10th Grade GEAR UP Students
Tour at East Central University

Hartshorne 10th grade GEAR UP students recently toured East Central University in Ada. Students took a walking tour of the campus and learned about many aspects of campus life. College tours are an important part of GEAR UP as students gain a first-hand–look at life on a college campus.

Students began in the Bill S. Cole University Center where they saw the recreation areas, fitness center and student gymnasium. Students then were able to move around the campus and walk through the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center where they were allowed to walk onto the theatre stage and see the new facilities.

Next, students toured the Chickasaw Business & Conference Center. This building houses business classes as well as a “mock” court room for students studying law. The tour concluded with a presentation of “Weird Scholarships” by B. J. Echard. Echard is a graduate of ECU and works in the recruiting office. He shared his experience of funding his entire college career through random scholarships he found online. Echard is not an athlete, and he was considered an “average” student in high school.

“His story was eye opening to the students,” said GEAR UP Education Coordinator Rachael Ranallo. “It gave them a lot to think about and ideas about obtaining scholarships.”

The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Participating schools take two field trips each academic year—one to tour a college or university and one that is cultural/educational in nature.

Captions:

BJ Echard guides tour—ECU Recruiter B. J. Echard guides Hartshorne sophomores across ECU’s campus. Circled around Echard are Camden Coleman, Kelly Lott, Hailey Braswell, Anna Benedict, Bethany Bedford, Nathan Ranallo, Seth Crow, Josh Brown, Briana Shank, Rebecca Wheat and Kyle Brown.

Harley Brown and Madison Semeski—Hartshorne sophomores Harley Brown and Madison Semeski pose in front of the ECU Tiger fountain.

BJ Echard talks about Weird Scholarships—B. J. Echard talks to students about various “Weird Scholarships” to help students get excited about funding their college education.

Science Hall—Hartshorne sophomores walk from the Science Hall on ECUS campus while on a guided tour. Students (L–R) Nashay Alexander, Marcias O’Daniel, Adam Lovenburg, ECU Guide Rachel, Taron Wise, Jawaski Johnson, Anthony Tubby, Zack Bennett, Matt Blaylock and Tanner Henry.

ECU Time Capsule—Students pose in front of a time capsule on ECU’s campus. The capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2034.
Front Row: Cody Hugle, Mariella Chatkehoodle, Adanya Sewell, Arceli Ortiz, Dillon Wilkett, Dante Thomason, Ledgen Angeli, Gavin Clunn, Chase Parker, Bryan Hawkins
Back Row: Haven Bailey-Morgan, Ian Brown, Chance Parker, Tyler Akins, James Phillips, Chase Mass, Steven Richmond, Jordan Hefner, Anthony Batts and Josh Carr.