By Naomi Palmer

   If you want to earn scholarships and have fun for free, attending one of the summer camps mentioned at the Summer Programs Information Night is highly recommended. The most recent event was no exception.

   The information night was held Jan. 13 and included 60 different summer programs, all described in about 60 minutes. Mrs. Moffitt and many Tempe Prep students spoke at the event, as well as alumni, providing their insight on several programs. 

   For instance, juniors Catherine Ross, Benjamin Moriarty and Alex Genchev attended the Joaquin Bustoz Honors Program, an intense academic program that allows high school students to enhance their mathematical studies, and talked about their experiences. 

   Most years students attend the program on campus but because of the COVID-19 pandemic the program was helpd online this past summer. 

   “The (program) was very beneficial for me because I learned essential math skills in the class I took,” Catherine said. “I also received three college credits from ASU. You also learn about college success tips and the process of college admission. It was a very fun program and I highly recommend it especially since it is free!” 

   The pandemic changed things the last couple of summers, but most years many programs, such as this one, offer the opportunity to stay on campus at a university and meet other students with similar interests, an experience that is invaluable for students’ college search process.

   There are many other summer programs that Tempe Prep students have attended, showing there are opportunities for everyone. To name a few more: Senior Karina Bellavia attended Summer Scrubs, a program at the University of Arizona where she explored medical and health professions and even got her own scrubs! 

   Junior Annie Goodykoontz was accepted at the ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Summer Journalism Institute, an opportunity for high-school students to dive deeper into studying journalism at a collegiate level through hands-on experiences.

 Meanwhile freshman Brian Mause attended the University of Utah’s Pre-College summer program for the past three years. This is highly recommended as there are many options within the program to choose from. 

   Through summer programs, students can gain life skills that will help them through college, friends that will last a lifetime and work toward scholarships to help them afford the school of their dreams. Reach out to Mrs. Moffitt for questions or advice regarding any of these programs.