By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

Selma area high school juniors and seniors will soon have the chance to learn about their opportunities after graduation.

The eighth annual Gearing Up for College seminar will be held at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center on Monday, Feb. 1.

The seminar will begin at 6 p.m. and will cover topics such as admission requirements, financial aid, course selection, housing applications, preparing a resume and more.

Corey Bowie, city council president and sponsor of the event, said the event’s main focus is to help students with their transition out of high school and on to their next venture, whether that’s in college, the military or workforce.

He said the seminar will be especially helpful for those who choose to go to college.

“One of the most important things, being in the Black Belt, a lot of our students are first generation students and the parents may not be familiar with the process,” Bowie said. “We work with the counselors in the various schools to add on to what they are helping with our students to help the transition from high school to college or the workforce more easily.”

Two $500 scholarships will be awarded during the evening, honoring the late Dr. Geraldine Allen, former Selma City Council president, and the late Alexis Hunter, a former student of Selma High School.

“I think what befitting way to honor two pioneers in our community by keeping their name alive through providing scholarships,” Bowie said.

Bowie said the scholarships will be awarded through a drawing.

Students selected must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in order to accept the scholarship and must bring a copy of their transcript to verify their GPA.

“It’s not based on GPA wise, but it’s an incentive to get the students out to this workshop,” Bowie said.

Bowie strongly encourages parents and their high school juniors and seniors to attend because he believes quality information can lead to a quality decision.

Bowie said representatives and counselors from organizations such as branches of the Armed Forces, Wallace Community College, Alabama State University and additional colleges and universities will be available to talk to students and parents about their programs.

For more information, call (334) 349-5723 or (334) 875-1234.