STILLWATER, Okla. – High school students across Oklahoma are gaining confidence and clarity about their futures thanks to Brighter Future, a college and career readiness program offered through Oklahoma State University Extension.
Designed for high school students, Brighter Future equips participants with the tools and knowledge to navigate life after graduation. Whether students plan to attend college, enter the workforce, pursue a trade or join the military, the program helps them prepare for the future.
For Savanna 4-H Club member Natalie Hollingshead, the program has been transformative. She said creating a timeline and schedule for college helped her understand what steps she needed to take to prepare.
“It really opened my eyes to how different college would be compared to high school,” Hollingshead said. “It made everything feel more real and showed me how to plan ahead so I can succeed.”
Hollingshead, who plans to become a neurosurgeon, said Brighter Future gave her a better understanding of the path she needed to take to achieve her goals.
“The program helped me figure out what type of schooling and learning environment works best for me, which is just as important as knowing what I want to do,” she said. “I feel more confident and prepared to pursue my goals in a way that fits my strengths.”
Students who complete the program receive pre-admittance to Oklahoma State University. Each year of the curriculum focuses on different skills, including public speaking, time management, resume writing, job applications, study strategies and fi-nancial literacy. The program also covers the college application process, scholarships and financial aid.
“Something I have learned in the Brighter Future program is time management,” said Solar Starr, a 4-H’er from Pittsburg County. “It taught me how important it is to use a calendar, plan ahead and much more.”
Starr has participated in the program for two years, and she said it has also helped improve her interview and speech skills. She looks forward to learning more about scholarship opportunities through Brighter Future and possibly attending OSU once she graduates.
Colby Bulls, who completed his first year of Brighter Future in Cimarron County, enjoyed exploring career options online through the program.
“It really helped me visualize what jobs I could go into,” he said.
With an interest in architecture, Bulls said the program helped him discover a broader range of career paths within the industry. He said he looks forward to continuing in Brighter Future to learn more about the options available to him after high school.
Brighter Future launched three years ago in partnership with several schools across the state. OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development educators and certified volunteers deliver the curriculum in classrooms, providing students with educational opportunities and guidance.
Greg Owen, Pittsburg County 4-H educator, has implemented the program in the Crowder and Savanna school systems since its inception.
“The feedback I get is that the material is very beneficial to answering a great deal of the questions students have for their post-high school plans,” Owen said. “The closer graduation is to a reality for the students, the more questions they know to ask, and the curriculum provides me guidance to help answer those questions.”
Beginning this fall, Brighter Future will also be available online, expanding access to more students.
“Our goal is to have Brighter Future available in every county in the state,” said Mindy Aragon, OSU Extension Brighter Future state specialist. “4-H has a great focus on the development of life skills in youth, and this structured curriculum is a great way to deliver that information.”
Brighter Future also aligns with 4-H’s new national campaign, Beyond Ready, which emphasizes preparing youth for success beyond the classroom.
For more information about Brighter Future, contact Aragon at 405-744-7690 or mindy. [email protected].
