Bay College hosts 150 UP high school students in a college orientation event

ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) – 150 seniors from 12 high schools across the Upper Peninsula got a taste of the college experience during Bay College’s annual “Bay is the Way Day” on the Escanaba and Iron Mountain campuses.

“I think it helps to get to something like this. I think it helps take the edge off,” said Jessica Beaver, Director of Admissions at Bay College. “It takes away some of the anxiety of that first day because you’ve been on campus. You’ve met people like me, our staff. Our faculty.”

Beaver welcomed the students to the Besse Theater on Bay’s Escanaba campus.

“We invited everyone,” Beaver said. “Some traveled up to two hours to be here.”

Two current Bay College students spoke to the assembled seniors about their own experiences. Sophomore Rebekah Clouse told the group, “High school is pretty scary. Clap if you agree.” And about half the room started clapping.

Clouse told the group how she struggled to finish high school during the pandemic and chose to repeat her senior year before heading to college.

“I know there are other seniors who are struggling,” Clouse said. “There are some of them sitting there right now saying, ‘This isn’t for me. I’m not going to succeed. That’s not necessary. My grades are bad. I’m not a good student.’ And I wanted to point that out because you’re not a bad student, you just need more resources.”

Resources Bay freshman Kay Mahood said can be found in Bay.

“I want them to understand that Escanaba seems small, but with Bay College they can help you see the bigger picture and see what is available to you in the world,” Mahood said. “Many first-generation students like me will not have the resources and knowledge to look at other colleges. So through Bay College I have received a lot of help in looking for schools to go to.’

Both students are working with the College on transfer degrees. Mahood studies art and goes on to a fashion and design academy. Clouse is earning her first two years of required classes for a social work degree.

Mahood and Clouse said starting their education at Bay College saves them a lot of money.

“It will be very helpful to have minimal to no debt after college,” Mahood said.

Beaver said one of the goals of the event is to help students succeed, whether at Bay College or another university.

“In a nutshell, the difference between community colleges really is that we are here for the community and for the students,” Beaver said. “We are here to support them and whatever success looks like for them.”

Click here for more information about Bay College and the admissions process.