September 4, Martinsburg Journal-News
By Adranisha Stephens
MARTINSBURG–This school year, eight Spring Mills High School seniors who will be the first in their family to attend college are receiving extra one-on-one support thanks to a $2,000 Berkeley Education Grant to Spring Mills High School (SMHS) for the Launching College Success Partnership program.
“This is the second year of this program, and we’re building on the successes of last year, when all 10 of those seniors were accepted into colleges,” said Dianne Keilholtz, owner of Launching College Success.
Keilholtz said her main goal is to help students and families navigate today’s college admissions maze.
MARTINSBURG–This school year, eight Spring Mills High School seniors who will be the first in their family to attend college are receiving extra one-on-one support thanks to a $2,000 Berkeley Education Grant to Spring Mills High School (SMHS) for the Launching College Success Partnership program.
“This is the second year of this program, and we’re building on the successes of last year, when all 10 of those seniors were accepted into colleges,” said Dianne Keilholtz, owner of Launching College Success.
Keilholtz said her main goal is to help students and families navigate today’s college admissions maze.
Keilholtz worked in Frederick County, Maryland public schools as both a high school counselor for 28 years as well as a special education teacher of eight years, supporting hundreds of students in their college search, admissions and financial aid process.
Keilholtz has a bachelor’s of science degree in special education from Hood College and a master’s of science degree in school counseling from McDaniel College, in Westminster, Maryland.
“I retired from Frederick County public schools in 2013 and officially started my program in 2014,” Keilholtz said.
“I still had a passion for helping students, so I formed my business Launching College Success and officially opened my doors in 2014. I continue to help students with the college admission process, which can be overwhelming and scary. I always encourage students to come up with a list of six to eight schools. I always say to the student, go for your dreams, have some dream schools on that list, I will never tell you not to do that. But, I also want them to have backup schools, or safety schools. This program is crucial to helping these high-achieving students access college, whatever is the right fit for them. There are other variables that make this process almost impossible for these students, including huge caseloads for school counselors, a complicated and difficult admission process and increased college expenses. I am here to help with that.”
Keilhotlz said she loves helping all students with the college process, but aims to really help first generation students attending college.
“I think for students that are first generation, it’s becoming so much more difficult for them–their parents never went to college, so they can’t rely on them to answer their questions. I really saw my services, especially in public schools, as a big need,” Keilholtz said.
“I am a first generation myself, and in the years I worked in high school, I noticed that the whole process of applying to college became more difficult. There was more required, the GPA requirement became higher, the expectations of the college such as essays, recommendations and possibly interviews increased. At the same time that was going on, the cost of going to college increased. I try to help kids find schools that would be a good fit for them in all aspects. I help them with their resume, applications, essays, guide them through the whole testing process, if they need that. Now, there are over 900 schools that don’t require testing. For some students that have test anxiety, I might give them those options and take other schools off the table.”
Keilholtz said she caters to all students that are continuing their education, not just high school students.
“I also work with graduate students, international students and adults that are returning to school as well. I provide services to everyone,” Keilholtz said.
Marjorie Lynch, Chairperson of Spring Mills High School Guidance, said she is excited about the success of the program.
“We are truly grateful to Mrs. Keilholtz for working pro bono to launch the program, and giving her time, knowledge and efforts in this important cause,” Lynch said. “It is people like her in our community that help us to help students envision and reach their goals.”
Keilholtz said she is meeting with each of the students at least five times during the summer and fall of 2017 to support them through every aspect of the college admissions process.
“I’ll meet individually with parents and students, and, in collaboration of SMHS’s guidance department, and facilitate four parent workshops on the college process and financial aid,” Keilholtz said.
According to Keilhotz, a final report about the outcome of the program will be shared with Spring Mills High School staff and the West Virginia Community Foundation in the fall of 2018, and will be shared at the September 2018 National Association for College Admission Counseling Conference.
For more information on services, please email: dianne@launchingcollegesuccess.com.
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