DeSoto Independent School District rolled out the red carpet for its high school families at the Operation Graduation 2024 event. This comprehensive experience, organized under the district’s GEAR UP Collaborative, offered a wealth of resources and opportunities for students and families preparing for post-secondary success.
Designed as a "one-stop shop," for high school scholars and parents, Operation Graduation 2024 ensured that DeSoto High School students are college- and career-ready.
“This evening is huge.This is our first collaborative GEAR UP event,” said Dr. Calvin Green, project director of the College Driven GEAR UP initiative.
Parents and students explored the DHS Academy Cafeteria, visiting vendors and learning about various pathways to post-secondary success.
The event was both educational and informative, drawing many eager participants seeking to take the next step in their academic journey.
Parents had the opportunity to engage with vendors like Education is Freedom, which aims to develop a skilled, educated workforce, and representatives from the district's College Driven GEAR UP and Next Gen GEAR UP programs.
Click here to view event video
“GEAR UP offers supplemental services to students in our district within their assigned cohorts,” explained Shanta Duren, project director of Next Gen GEAR UP.
“It provides them with the opportunity to participate in post-secondary readiness activities prior to having to make a final decision for attending college, going to the military or even entering the workforce.”
These pathways offer students valuable experiences and help them explore their options before making important decisions about their future.
“It really is amazing,” said Trey Pegues, a ninth-grade student at DHS. “There are many great opportunities here that will help many students find careers and find their way to success.”
The event emphasized the district’s mission to empower its community with accessible and practical resources that will help their Eagles fly for years to come.
These events allow vendors and parents to get together and better communicate with each other as parents are looking to prepare their scholar to enter the workforce, military, college or university setting.
Click here to view event photos
“It means a lot because you know, you need communication, if you don't have that, then you miss out on important information,” said Nikie Hall, a parent who attended the event.
Hall shared how her children have benefitted from the DeSoto High School early college programs
“Give it a chance. It makes a huge difference. I've put one through high school and he's completed college already, because he had early college courses already in high school and it made a huge difference, he only had to do 2 years,” Hall explained.
“He came out with a bachelor's degree. He's doing very well so I will say, give it a chance.”
Learn more about the DeSoto High School early college, GEAR UP, and advanced academics programs by visiting www.DeSotoISD.org.