Sixty-one colleges from around California and six out-of-state gathered Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Cerritos College gymnasium to provide information to high school students.

Nine Hundred students from the ABC, Bellflower, Downey and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District had the opportunity to see what the college’s had to offer.

Miguel Vargas, Artesia high school senior, was interested in applying to CSU Dominguez Hills.

“I’m looking for a college to feel comfortable in,” said Vargas.

“I also want to go to a college I feel that I can be involved in.”

As Vargas was listening to Michael Smith, Outreach Officer from Dominguez Hills, he commented saying, “This college is one of possibly three that I am looking forward to attending.”

Vargas’ first choice of a major is business and his second choice is criminal justice.

“I have taken four years of math,” Vargas said. That it why he would choose business as a major.

Cerritos College faculty and representatives were also in attendance for the students who wanted information about the college.

The Cerritos College Financial Aid Program, Culinary Arts and Teacher TRAC program were just a few in attendance.

Cerritos College President Dr. Noelia Vela was delighted to see that our faculty was represented.

“We have a strong relationship with the Unified School Districts,” said Vela.

“We are proud of what Cerritos College and other universities have to offer,” she continued.

She added that the work of the representatives from the various colleges and universities was important.

Jose Flores, English major and financial aid representative, agreed.

Flores believes that students can find a way to attend college with help from the government.

“That’s why financial aid is here,” he said, “so that students are informed that they know there is help for them.”

Maria Flores, Bellflower high school junior, had questions about financial aid.

Along with her mother, Maria Flores said, “Knowing about financial aid will help me out.”

That’s why she and her mother were there. They wanted to find out what is the best thing for her and where she should attend college.

Cerritos College was one that she would like to attend.

Keion Morgan, counselor, from Humboldt College in Arcata, Calif. hoped that its college would be one of interest to students.

“Humboldt College was founded in 1913,” he said, “and, believe it or not, psychology is one of the top three choices that students want to major in.”

Biological sciences, art, and psychology were the majors with the most interest.

On average, there are 900 first-year students who attend Humboldt College, Morgan says.

The Cerritos College Project Hope (Health Opportunity and Pipeline to Education) has an average of 1300 students who enroll in its program.

“The goal of this program is to help the minority population (especially the Latino community) be represented,” John Carrillo, premed student, said.

“Once students have their degree, they help give back to the community, Carillo said.