Thursday, September 28, 2017
Speaker: Kathy Klug, Aspen High School College Counselor
Kathy Klug has spent her career in Aspen working to create a college going culture. She is guided by the mission to ensure every AHS graduate is college and career ready. She works hard to achieve this mission by promoting the philosophy of right fit and match, preparing students to apply to schools with authenticity and excellence, and encouraging the pursuit of admission to the "right" college. Kathy is a guide for students, and describes her passionate efforts eloquently: she "pushes, pulls, and nags."
The College Fair, which took place Sunday (October 1) is the visual representation of her work. Started in 2005, the goal was to introduce and expose students of the Western Slope to 130 colleges. In 2017, the Fair hosts 250 schools, a number that is now capped based on the available space and time. When Kathy began this project, there was a 38% attendance rate among 82 high schools. This rate has increased to 61%, while Aspen High School impressively boasts a 96% attendance rate.
The Fair, now a non-profit organization called College Outreach, was born as part of a strategic plan to create a "college going" and "what's next" culture. With 150 volunteers, it hosts 32 educational workshops. For Freshman, this day is described as tire kicking-- finding out what is out there. For sophomores, the Fair is a chance for students to find their voice and begin talking to college representatives. For Juniors it time to get serious and start deciding on the specific schools to apply to, and for seniors, the its an opportunity to close the deal.
Along with the College Fair, AHS promotes a collegiate culture through procedures and traditions that include:
- Ringing the bell (college accepted students send the message to the entire student body that a rite of passage has occurred)
- Gold wall paper in the AHS entrance celebrating college admissions.
- College counseling and the Beta Service Club involves students in projects to connect HS students as mentors for elementary kids.
- March of graduates to display that there is a vision for success.
- Rite of passage application (10 total meetings with Kathy, including 5 face to face meetings with both parents and students
- Weekly Wednesday meetings to mentor students on the application process
It is clearly obvious that Kathy has developed an plan, process, and a program with a clear purpose. Our community is very fortunate and grateful for her unwavering vision and work, which has led to tremendous success for Aspen students and others throughout the Western Slope.
Guests: Linda Crockett, guest of Charles Cunniffe
Visiting Rotarian: Susan O'Neal
