Alexia Prentice talks to Coachella Unincorporated about her experience at College Voc-Tech Night.

By Santos Reyes and Noely Resendiz

INDIO, CA — Students from throughout the eastern Coachella Valley gathered October 12 for College Voc-Tech Night held at the Riverside County Fairgrounds to learn about their options after high school.  Representatives from community colleges, universities, vocational and technical schools, and the armed services were on hand to answer student questions.

Alexia Prentice, a student at Indio High School, plans to go out of state or to College of the Desert and major in child development.  She found College Voc-Tech Night to be very helpful.

“It showed me what schools have what I want to major in,” said Prentice.

Yvonne Quintero, 18, from Coachella Valley High School, said, “It gives me more of a variety because I didn’t even know certain colleges existed, and I didn’t even know they offered nursing.”

Stephen Penalber, 17, from Indio High School plans on joining the Marines after high school and then studying psychology. “I think it gives me the opportunity to explore the colleges and really find out what colleges I want to go to,” he said.

Emilia Ayala ,17, from Indio High School wants to attend college out of state and major in psychology. “College Voc-Tech Night gives me more options of schools that are in California,” she said. “If I decide to stay in state, then I have more options.”

Thalia Ramirez,18, attends Coachella Valley High School and plans to attend College of the Desert and major in Business and Communication.  She also finds College Voc-Tech Night helpful.  “I got more information of the colleges I’m interested in, what kind of majors they have, and what are the specialties of that college.”

Some of the colleges in attendance included College of the Desert, California State Universities, and Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing.