by Amelia Bates and Leah Hicks, reporters

DAPHNE, Ala. — Fairhope High School seniors and juniors attended the Baldwin County College and Career Fair during the school day on Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Daphne Civic Center to learn more about available southern colleges.

Local and out-of-state colleges such as Auburn University, Alabama State, Mississippi State, Troy University, University of Montevallo and William Carey University, which broadened students’ perspectives on local opportunities. Students could talk with representatives or have a personal QR code scanned to transfer their contact information to colleges they’re interested in. 

“I had no idea where I wanted to go to college,” said Jae Bosby, Fairhope High School senior, “I had only applied to community college before coming here and now I kinda have a concept. Pretty cool.” 

College representatives spoke with students about scholarship availability, majors and minors, specific programs and institutional amenities. They discussed student life in sports, Greek life, student population, student clubs/organizations and college demographics. Students collected pamphlets, bags, bracelets, stickers, pens and pencils from colleges that interested them. 

“Everybody seems way happier here than before they left. Not even just because we left school, like, everybody’s got college stuff in their bags and everybody seems more optimistic,” Bosby said.

The fair served not only to increase the visibility of Southern colleges but also encouraged Fairhope High School students to review all their options and gave them optimism toward their academic futures.