We write a lot about the skyrocketing cost of college, and the struggles of both students and families to pay for it.
But it's something else altogether to stare it in the face.
It was my pleasure to do exactly that last night as we took our live-stream Internet broadcast, 'Live From the Newsroom,' to Delaware County Community College for a very special show that I hope every prospective college student in Delco watches.
We were following up on the story we ran on Monday profiling a very special program at DCCC that is allowing high school kids to get a jump start on their college education - at a fraction of the price. You can read the story and get all the details on DCCC's High School Dual Enrollment Pilot Program here.
We had an opportunity to talk to DCCC President Dr. Jerry Parker and three members of his staff, Fran Cubberly, Patricia Shannon and Katy Diamond Rothstein.
But without question the best part of the night was the chance to talk to three young people who are taking part in the program, and who gave first-hand accounts of just how valuable it is.
My deepest thanks to Bolanle Odusonga and David Kranfeld, from Penn Wood High, and Brooke Haftmann of Marple Newtown. They have big dreams of futures in medicine, engineering and EMS work. And while they are still high schoolers, they are earning college credits at DCCC.
It only reaffirms my belief that DCCC is one of the true gems of Delaware County.
If you missed the show, you can see the replay here.
And while the deadline has passed to apply for the spring semester High School Dual Enrollment Pilot Program, they are already taking applications for summer courses.
Aside from their homes, a college education for children is probably the biggest investment parents make in their lives.
As Dr. Parker and I discussed, the country is quickly becoming a case of the "haves" vs. the "have-nots" when it comes to education.
This program at DCCC is an earnest attempt to level that playing field.
It was a joy to see some of the kids taking part of this great program.
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