DAVENPORT, IOWA (September 19, 2019) — “College is not for everybody, but it should be available to everyone to try,” stated Christine during a panel discussion after the showing of the documentary “Personal Statement”, directed by Juliane Dressner, at EICC Urban Campus today. Talking with local students, the three cast members of the documentary — Christine, Karoline, and Enoch — made a big impact.
After watching the documentary and hearing from a local non-traditional student and her path, the panel spoke from the heart about their experiences and answered questions of students who might find the path to college difficult as they did — and still do for a couple of them.
“What do you see yourself succeeding at?” Karoline asked when a student questioned how to concentrate at school. The passion that students feel for what they are interested in makes the difference between success and distraction. “Be the leader that everyone needs,” Karoline continued. “Be the light at the end of the tunnel; that light is in you” to make a transformation in your life and others.
All three students were peer-mentors to help their classmates get into college even though each one faced their own problems. “Optimism is a powerful tool,” Enoch said. It helped him through when dealing with challenges at home to getting into college. “I think back on all the things I had to get done. I did it. Be optimistic to help you get past the problems.”
When asked about what they wished they had known when starting college, Christine mentioned all the resources that were at college that she learned about later. Enoch stated that he looked only at one school and the fact that he was on campus only a few hours. He wished he had looked around at different schools and then decided. Whereas Karoline counseled the students to start the process early — she ran out of time for everything she wishes she could have done.
There were two ways local students and high schools participated. Moline, Pleasant Valley, Rock Island, Wilton, MidCity, Davenport Central, North Scott, West Liberty, and Edison Academy watching the documentary and the panel-discussion via a simulcast. Whereas Davenport’s GEAR UP, Bettendorf, Safer Foundation, Two Rivers YMCA, Rock Island, and Edison Academy brought students to the Urban Campus to watch and participate in the discussion.
Additionally, students on location participated in a workshop with Karoline, Christine, and Enoch on the 22 steps for college admissions. While Julianne and the three students have done screenings of the film and panels all over the country, this was the first time the workshop was led by the cast members. It was the same exercise they had to do when learning how to be a peer mentor in the program they did at their school back in New York City.
Local students shared their happiness about the program. “I am grateful that I know more about applying for college. I am more prepared now for the future,” volunteered one local participant. “It has been a fun experience and I am glad I was invited to this,” another student contributed. Lastly, a student summed up the results of the day as “I am more comfortable with the college process and am excited about the opportunities.”
The director talked about one young adult who had seen the screening in Arkansas. She was pregnant and not sure about going onto college. But having seen what the students in the film faced, she re-thought it. “She said that she really related to what Enoch went through balancing family obligations. But after seeing the documentary, she told me I am going to do it too [go to college],” Ms Dressner recalled.
The day was presented by QC CAN (College Access Network) which consists of Eastern Iowa Community College and Iowa College Fund with members from The Moline Foundation, Safer Foundation, United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, MB AEA, QC Chamber of Commerce, and Tuition Fit. Two other presentations will occur — September 19, 2019 at 6:15PM at the Putnam Giant Screen, followed by a Q&A with the cast and director; and September 20, 2019, a workshop with local educators also at the Putnam.
