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Inyo County 8th-grade Students Explore Future Opportunities

On April 14 and 15, 176 students and 21 chaperones from across Inyo County traveled to Reno, Nevada, for an overnight college exploration trip designed to introduce students to life beyond high school. Organized by the Inyo County Office of Education in partnership with Bishop, Big Pine, Owens Valley, and Lone Pine schools, the experience gave students a firsthand look at postsecondary education and career training opportunities.

The two-day trip was created to help students begin thinking about their futures by exploring both college and career pathways. While the focus was on higher education, the experience offered much more than a traditional campus visit. As one teacher chaperone shared:

“These trips are about more than postsecondary education possibilities. They help students imagine what their lives could look like and how education shapes that path. Seeing where students eat, gather, exercise, and spend time gives them a fuller picture of college life beyond academics.”

One student summed up the experience simply: “This felt like an option for me.”

Students and chaperones departed Inyo County early on April 14 and arrived in Reno in time to enjoy lunch at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) dining commons. From there, students participated in a guided campus tour, giving them an up-close look at college facilities and student life. The afternoon also included an Inyo Graduate Panel, where former Inyo County students shared their experiences transitioning from high school in a rural community to college life in a larger city. After visiting the student union and bookstore, the group wrapped up the day with a Reno Aces baseball game—an experience many students named as one of the trip’s highlights.

On the second day, students visited Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) and the Nevada Museum of Art. At TMCC’s Edison campus, staff welcomed students and introduced them to hands-on career education pathways, including:

• Machinery

• Diesel mechanics

• Welding

Students learned about the many certifications and technical training opportunities available through the college’s career and technical education programs.

Later, students toured the Nevada Museum of Art in downtown Reno, where museum educators led an interactive, inquiry-based experience designed to connect visual arts with academic learning. The visit offered students an engaging introduction to arts integration and enriched the educational scope of the trip.

After lunch, students boarded buses and vans for the return trip to Inyo County, bringing home new perspectives and experiences to share with their families and school communities. This visit marked the first in a series of planned opportunities intended to expose students to postsecondary options and support informed decisions about their futures.

Acknowledgements

The Inyo County Office of Education extends sincere thanks to the school staff and parents whose support made this trip possible for students:

• Isaac Kreisman

• Jonathan Willy

• Mark DesRochers

• Dave Fulkerson

• Libbie Gianopolous

• Linda Sandoval

• Tim Talbot

• Krystal Heinz

• Joey Kinburg

• Alicia Southey

• Jae No

• Sunny Ceron

• Tim Steele

• Lisa Brooks

• Jose Reyes

• Dave Callowy

• Parish Wright

• Jayme Cleland

• Nicole Manning

• Michelle Saenz

• Tabiya Andrade

• T Chavez

• Denise Estrada

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