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The University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) hosted the Educational Talent Search (ETS) Summer Exploratory pre-college program for the second time in June at Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Gainesville Campus. The program provides sixth-grade to 12th-grade first-generation, income-eligible students with educational and recreational opportunities.

Funded by the United States Department of Education Talent Search federal grant, the program receives nearly $280,000 annually and will continue to do so for the next three years. The money provided is used to serve students in Gainesville's middle and high schools.

"A lot of times kids just don't know that there are resources there and they don't know where to start," Dr. Latrice Richardson, director of Pre-College Access Grant Programs, said. "This program is like a guide for them."

During the summer component, students strengthen skills beyond education as Talent Search focused on 21st century skills including communication, time management and life skills. A big importance is placed on ensuring students interested in higher education are equipped to pursue it. Students explored scholarships, different universities and FAFSA. They practiced filling out admission applications to Â鶹ÊÓƵ, and the Common App which allows students to apply to multiple universities and colleges.

Nearly 50 participants were involved in the summer program this year, many coming from the Gainesville City School System middle and high schools.

Rachel Johnson, who is from Statesville, North Carolina, spent this summer as a tutor for the program. Johnson, a Â鶹ÊÓƵ junior pursuing a degree in kinesiology, said the summer exploratory provides valuable academic experiences for participants.

"Attending this program can also be a great way to explore potential career paths and make connections with professionals in a given field," Johnson said. "It's a great opportunity for students to experience campus life, ask questions and explore. It was so much fun being with the ETS students this summer and being part of a program I believe everyone should have the chance to experience."

The ETS Summer Exploratory also provided opportunities for students outside the classroom, with middle school students visiting the Tellus Science Museum and high school students going to Andretti's for a chance to decompress. 

There were three sessions each day and the students capped their Educational Talent Search Summer Institute experience with a Florida trip in early July that included visits to the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. They joined Upward Bound Summer Institute students on the trip.