By Jay Sowers
The Selma Times-Journal

There is no dancing or singing required, but the annual Educational Talent Search is set to begin at Wallace Community College Selma, and the young participants and their parents can still reap some big rewards.

Corey Bowie, Talent Search Recruiter and Adult Education Advisor at WCCS, said the program is hosting a parent night for prospective college students and their parents in the Hank Sanders Technology Center on the WCCS campus.

Bowie said that during that meeting, leaders from the ETS program will talk to parents about career paths they can start in college, scholarship opportunities, financial aid and other things parents should know in order for their child to succeed both before and during college.

Bowie said the meeting on Sept. 10 is a great chance for parents to learn how the program, which has enough funding to serve 829 students, can help keep their child on the educational path they desire.

“I can’t emphasize this enough – it’s going to have to be a collaborative effort between the schools, the parents and this program in order for students to thrive as they pursue their education,” Bowie said.

“This program has three goals,” Bowie said. “We want kids to remain in high school, graduate in high school, and then enroll in either a four-year college or a two-year trade school.”

“It’s very important because education is that very pivotal piece that not only drives the community, but also prepares the students to be productive citizens,” Bowie said.

“We have had lawyers, educators and doctors get their start through this program here”

Students in grades six through 12 in schools in both Dallas and Perry counties can pick up applications for the program at their school officers or at the ETS office at WCCS.