News | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

Seniors got a crash course in the challenges of applying for college.

More than 220 Ernest Righetti High School students recently completed six weeks of college admission training workshops as part of “College Boot Camp”. The workshops focused on the senior resume, personal statement, Naviance, financial aid, application tips and testing requirements for two and four-year institutions.

Students Jisu Yoon and Naomi Desai said the program “assisted in minimizing our stress and
maximized our knowledge and confidence.”

Millicent Angulo agreed.

“I have always been stressed about going through the application process as the oldest of two girls and a first generation college student,’’ she said. “College Boot Camp lifted that stress off my shoulders by teaching me everything I need to know about getting into college as well as just succeeding in life.’’

The workshops were taught primarily by Vicki Dirkes, Career Specialist, and Dayna DeBernardi-Watson, Guidance Technician. School counselor Eric Blanco assisted while speakers from UC Santa Barbara and the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara completed the curriculum.

In addition, students also had a chance to speak with representatives from 25 colleges and universities during a “College Fair”. The event was organized by the UC Santa Barbara Early Academic Outreach Program.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services. The SMJUHSD does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, ethnic group identifications, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital, family or parental status, medical condition, military or veteran status, nationality, national origin, immigration status, political affiliation, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by California state and federal nondiscrimination laws respectively. Not all bases of discrimination will apply to both education services and employment. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, immediately contact the District’s Discrimination, Equity and Title IX Compliance Officer Mr. Kevin R. Platt at 2560 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455, (805) 922-4573 or kplatt@smjuhsd.org. You may request a copy of SMJUHSD’s Uniform Complaint Procedures, Non-Discrimination Policies, Sexual Harassment Policies or click here.