April 1 Spring Transition Fair Prepares Students with Disabilities for the Future

WACO, Texas - The Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 will host the biannual Spring Transition Fair to educate high school students with special needs about post-secondary opportunities. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Friday, April 1 at Hill College, 112 Lamar in Hillsboro.

The Transition Fair is an opportunity for students to see what is possible after high school and to learn the steps to take that will ensure they are on track to lead successful, productive lives. The theme of this event is a quote from President Barack Obama, “Nobody gets to write your own destiny but you.”

Keynote speaker is the Honorable Judge E. Jean Laster, McLennan County’s first elected female African American Justice of the Peace. Judge Laster is known to be an advocate for all people, and will speak on positive approaches to life success.

“The message for students and their families is that there is something for everyone at the post-secondary level. The best way to plan for the future is to know what is out there and how to go after it,” explained Sharron Stephenson, education specialist at ESC Region 12.

Students will attend informational sessions and learn about different career paths. The fair will showcase science and agriculture, industrial maintenance, computer drafting and gaming, retail management, childcare and development, echocardiography and solography, veterinarian technician, office administration and medical billing.

“During the fair we have several activities and opportunities for students to make both career and education connections, and to really get a glimpse of life on a college campus,” said Stephenson.

There will also be live demonstrations of careers in music, athletics, welding shop, automotive shop, EMS/fire/paramedic, criminal justice, nursing and cosmetology.

Hill College, Temple College, Navarro College and Bellevue University will be onsite to answer questions.

Participating high schools include: Bynum, China Spring, Connally, Corsicana, Hubbard, Itasca, Midway, Orenda Charter School and Penelope.

The Transition Fair will also provide information about financial aid opportunities, applying to schools, living in dorms, meeting with a college advisor and meeting with the disabilities services coordinator. The event is free and open to pre-registered participants.

Sponsors of this event include Hill College, ESC Region 12, Hill County SSA and Heart of Central Texas Independent Living.

ESC Region 12 hosts this event biannually in the fall and spring. Look for the event at UMHB this fall on Oct. 14 and a day for parents and professionals Oct. 15.

For more information about the spring Transition Fair contact Sharron Stephenson at 254.297.1152 or sstephenson@esc12.net. Learn more about our Transition services and trainings at http://www.esc12.net/transition.