Telling it like it is, APA graduates (left to right) Aliza Matthews, Brianne Cregan, Grace Williams, Sam Okonkwo, Elizabeth Pittman, and Delaney Tribula tell the Class of 2020 what to expect at college. Submitted photo.

Returning to their alma mater on January 6th, more than a dozen of Arendell Parrott Academy’s 2019 graduates participated in a panel discussion to help APA’s current high school students answer that burning question: What’s college really like? 

Organized by Parrott’s college adviser Mitzi Moye and guidance counselor Kristin White, this year’s visit by alumni continues a traditional activity for the first day of school after Christmas vacation. Moye sent early December emails to last year’s seniors, congratulating them on completing their first college semester and inviting them to campus on Jan. 6 for lunch in the cafeteria and a candid discussion of their college experiences. 

“Our graduates are a great resource for both our students and faculty,” Moye noted. “They give us first-hand feedback, and that helps us create an educational environment that can best prepare our students for success in college and in later life.”  

Advisers and teachers organized the college students into several panels that spoke to 9th through 12th graders, fielding a variety of questions, from how far they walk to get to class to how many papers they write and what kind of unique extracurriculars they’ve tried. 

“It’s definitely helpful to hear from students who have already paved the way,” noted APA senior Anna Avila. “All of these seniors from last year are really excited about exploring new opportunities and making their own decisions. They said it’s tough, but they were well prepared.”