FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 19, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
Gretchen H. Woods, Youth Works Committee Chair, Des Moines Branch of the NAACP, (515) 254-1947, gretchenahw@peoplepc.com

JUNIORS, SENIORS INVITED TO COLLEGE PREP DAY AT DRAKE

All high school juniors and seniors in Polk County and their parents and guardians are invited to attend College Prep Day from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, in Drake University's Olmsted Center, 29th Street and University Avenue. College Prep Day is sponsored by the Des Moines NAACP Youth Council Unit No. 4706, Drake University and the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.

"Our goal is to increase awareness among juniors and seniors and their parents that a college education is valuable, attainable and affordable," said Gretchen H. Woods, youth works committee chair for the Des Moines Branch of the NAACP. "This free event is being held for the first time in Des Moines. It is open to all juniors and seniors attending high school in Polk County."

College Prep Day will include a mini college fair featuring local colleges and universities as well as sessions on College Choices and the Admission Process, Financial Planning and Career Planning. Wanda Everage, vice provost of student affairs and academic excellence at Drake, will give the keynote address. Participants will receive complimentary breakfast, lunch and tickets to the Drake football game against Butler University at 1 p.m. Oct. 29 at Valley High School Stadium on George Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines.

The registration deadline for College Prep Day is Monday, Oct. 24. For more information and to register online, visit www.iowacollegeaid.org.

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