One day a week students at Archie Clayton Pre-AP Academy get reprieve from wearing their school uniforms. Known as College Day, students are encouraged to envision themselves attending college by supporting the university of their choice and wearing that school’s logoed clothing item. This week, the University of Nevada, Reno is going to cloak Clayton middle school students in blue and white and help get them excited about going to college at a special College Day pep-rally.
“Our counselors will be talking to students during the week about the importance of preparing for college and the value of a higher education degree,” Clayton Principal Bruce Meissner said. “We want our students to have fun and get excited about the Tier 1 university right here in town.”
WHAT: The University will participate in a special pep-rally-style assembly with 700 6th through 8th-grade students. Each student will receive a Nevada T-shirt presented by the Nevada Wolf Shop, which is owned by the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN).
WHO: Clayton Principal Bruce Meissner will lead the assembly along with Marcelo Vazquez, associate dean of students and interim director for the Center for Student Cultural Diversity at the University. Nevada women’s basketball coach Jane Albright and ASUN Student Body President Ziad Rashdan will help encourage students to plan for college. Student athletes, cheerleaders and Nevada mascots will also be in attendance.
WHY: “The 6th-grade and middle-school years are the ideal time to reach out and help young scholars prepare themselves for higher education,” Vasquez said. “It’s during this time that students can work on good study habits, explore extracurricular activities of interest to them, and improve their academic strengths in time for high school.”
WHEN: 8-9 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 24 (College Day at Clayton is usually held every Friday. Due to the Nevada Day holiday observed this Friday, the school is holding College Day this Thursday).
WHERE: Archie Clayton Pre-AP Academy, 1295 Wyoming Ave., Reno
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: See University faculty, coaches, students and mascots rally 700 Clayton middle school students getting them pumped up and excited about attending college.
MEDIA PARKING: The event will be held in the school’s gymnasium. Media are encouraged to park in the school’s east parking lot off Wyoming Avenue.
