The change in their confidence levels between taking the first ACT and the second is difficult to quantify. After a 10-day Summer Academy that focused on skill development and ACT test-taking strategies and a full day of math review at an event called Mathpalooza, students view the ACT totally differently. According to Akron Public Schools College Access Program Manager, Diettra Engram, "When they take the ACT in October they recognize the traps and tricks embedded in the exam. Many look forward to the challenge of outsmarting the test writers and leave the test feeling confident that their scores have increased."  

Because Destination College focuses so heavily on ACT preparation and student practice, ACT Day is a celebration; albeit the earliest party ever! Mentors picked up students from their high schools before 6 a.m. to bring them to the former Central Hower High School where they had breakfast and worked out last-minute jitters (and sleepiness) before walking over to the ACT registration site on UAs campus. Once the students were in line, mentors held up posters with encouraging messages, whispered last words of support, and took photos before the students were escorted to their respective classrooms. 

The students returned after the test relieved, proud, optimistic, and tired to the sounds of applause and cheering. These are the moments we hope they will take with them and cherish for many years to come. We definitely will.

Derran Wimer Press Release

There were:

• FREE immunizations
• FREE dental services for kids ages 3-6
• FREE physicals
• FREE school supplies
• Teen fashion show presented by Plato's Closet at 1 p.m. on the event stage
• Lots of entertainment – singers, dancers, karaoke, face-painting, etc.
• Meet-and-greets with: Diego from Nickelodeon, Word Girl from Western Reserve PBS, Ronald McDonald and  Zippy from The University of Akron
• Operation Fresh Start program
• Crafts and activities for children
• Educational sessions for parents

Our group provided several hands-on activities for children age 2 months thru 6.  We gave out cards describing the activity – how to make it at home, how to play / interact with your child, and why the activity is important to the development of your child.  In addition we gave each family a CD “What to Do to Get Your Child Ready for Kindergarten”, which was donated to us by the Summit County Library.

Summit for Kids was a collaborative project involving the County Executive's Office, Summit County Juvenile Court, Summit County Children Services, AMHA, Akron Public Schools, ADM Board, First Things First, Child Guidance & Family Solutions and United Way.
 

Examples of the activities that the Kindergarten Readiness Group displayed are below:

2 Month Old Batting Activity (pdf)

14 Month Old Shape Sorter Activity (pdf)

17 Month Old Tossing Objects Activity (pdf)

23 Month Old Digging Activity (pdf)

4 Yr Old Fishing Game Activity (pdf)