Tiffany Greene, Your Kids

Students have a lot of factors to keep in mind when deciding on the college that is right for them.

As News 13's Tiffany Greene tells us, the Central Florida YMCA's Black Achievers Program is giving students a sneak peak before going off to an institution of higher learning.

"Most kids aren't exposed to this in school, and with this school, it helps broaden their horizons for what they want to do," said Ca'Liah Harris, a West Orange High School junior.

In addition to learning how to make positive life choices, the students get a taste of what's next in life -- in their case, it is college.

"I think it's opportunity for us to begin our lives as adults," said Shakara Alston, a Jones High School sophomore.

"I don't think I want to miss out on college.  It's like a new world," said Ki Ki Dumas, an Oak Ridge High School senior.

Dumas and 39 of his peers were introduced to that new world during a week-long college tour. Their eyes looked across nine campuses in three different states.  Evidenced by the smiles on their faces in the pictures they took, they liked what they saw.

"The diversity of each college was actually eye opening," Alston said.

"I learned that I've got to discipline myself, so I'm going to study harder to get into one of the schools I like," said Anthony Coleman, an Ocoee High School sophomore.

"It made me even more excited about attending a college, maybe even out-of-state, because I always thought about staying close to home," said Elgin Fedrick, a junior at West Oaks Academy.

Orlando is home to Dumas, but after a trip to St. Augustine's College in North Carolina, he might be looking to move.

"I filled out an application at the beginning of the tour and then they came on the bus and congratulated me," Dumas said.

Several students were offered scholarships on the spot.  Paid for or not, 90 percent of the students who participate in the Teen Achievers Program go on to enter college.

To see more Your Kids stories, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

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