Willowbrook Guidance Department hosts College and Career Awareness Week

From March 18 to 22, the Willowbrook Guidance Department hosted its annual College and Career Awareness Week to encourage students to get college and career ready.

• Throughout the week, seniors had the opportunity to fill out a sticker with the name of the college/university or military branch they plan to attend and add it to a poster in the foyer. Next to that area, faculty and staff provided information about their education background, first job, interesting/notable facts and advice to their high school self.
  
  
• On March 18, students were invited to play a College Mascot Trivia Game, and winners received a prize.
  
  
• On March 19, juniors were invited to attend a SAT Lunch-and-Learn to gain information about SAT tips and strategies. During lunch periods, freshmen and sophomores had the opportunity to answer practice SAT questions and create a College Board and Khan Academy account.

Top left: Willowbrook senior Desiree Camarena (right) speaks with Sarah Kasch, High School Representative with American Academy of Art, during a College and Vocational Fair on March 20 at Willowbrook. Top middle: Junior Nicholas Cappitelli gets information about Purdue University from Mary Ward, Assistant Director Chicago Area Regional Representative. Top right: Freshman Ayden Srabonian (left) and sophomore Nathan Ferguson (center) speak with Tim Hyde (right), St. Ambrose University Admissions Counselor and Willowbrook alumnus (class of 2013). Bottom left: Junior Michelle Villalobos chats with Domenic J. Lamberti, Senior Admissions Counselor with The University of Chicago. Bottom right: Junior Ayesha Baig gets information about Tukiendorf Training Institute from Chris Stefaniak.

• On March 20, representatives from about 60 colleges and universities visited Willowbrook to speak with students about their respective campus during a College and Vocational Fair. An Essay-Writing Workshop also took place during Warrior Time to help students prepare for their college essays.

• On March 20, Willowbrook parent Charles Wentworth (pictured above), an attorney with The Law Office of Lofgren & Wentworth, P.C., spoke with students in Graphic Design and Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level Studio Art about copyright as it applies to artists. Students learned how copyright protections apply to images online, how much a work must be changed to be considered transformative, parody/satire protections and how copyright law can be used to protect their creative works.

Top left: Willowbrook junior Diana Rivera tries her hand at a welding simulator with College of DuPage Business and Technology Division welding instructor David Ellis during a Career and Vocational Fair on March 21 at the school. Top middle: Sophomore Yvette Castillo speaks with Staff Sgt. Dusik about the U.S. Marine Corps during a Military Fair on March 21 at the school. Top right: Sophomore Stephanie Quintana gets information from Sgt. Corral, Recruiter with the U.S. Army. Bottom left: Junior Rose Brychta (left) chats with Jackie Bush, who's with Admissions at Paul Mitchell The School Lombard. Bottom right: Senior Aidan McNamara (right) speaks with Universal Technical Institute.

• On March 21, about 40 career professionals and local businesses shared their insight and experience in various fields with students during a Career and Vocational Fair. Representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard also met with students during a Military Fair to discuss what each branch has to offer with regard to post-high school options. Students were able to take the ASVAB test as well, which is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. A Résumé and Interviewing Skills Workshop also took place during Warrior Time.
  
  
• During each fair, students had the opportunity to complete a passport after they visited the various representatives for a chance to win prizes.
  
  
• Announcements and other fun activities took place as well to encourage students to get college and career ready.