AWC to hold family education and career festival

Parents, children and family members are being invited to get out their career attire for the Arizona Western College Educational Family Night Career Festival.

According to AWC Academic Advisor Maria Guzman Ramirez, the festival is seeing its fifth year and about 300 people attend the event each year.

“We expect more participants this year because we have added a new component to the event,” she noted. “We are inviting attendees to wear their current or desired career outfit. We also plan to have (a) kids’ career outfit contest.”

Along with the career outfit contest for kids, adults are encouraged to wear their current or desired career outfit.

The festival will be held on Wed., May 2 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the AWC Somerton Center/Somerton Middle School, 1011 N. Somerton Ave. The event is free for all ages to attend.

Information on programs available through AWC and partnering universities, such as GED classes, English courses, community program services, after-school programs and more will be offered at the festival.

Additionally, attendees will get to see dance and musical performances from local schools during the event as well as educational displays. Food will also be available for purchase and there will be drawing opportunities and games.

“Attendees will experience the artistic talents that our local school students have,” Guzman Ramirez said. “They will also learn where the AWC Somerton Office is located. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about local after school programs for kids and teens. Adults will learn where they can get their GED, register for English Class or start a new career.”

Guzman added that she feels it is important to offer this event because various local educational organizations are to be brought together to provide an opportunity for residents to learn about the services that are offered

“This event is fabulous for kids because they can show their talents and their school organizations can fundraise for their year projects,” she said. “This year we want to encourage kids to start learning about their future career. Research has show(n) that if we start asking kids about their career early, it encourages them to see themselves attending college. We want them to finish a college education.”

For more information on the festival, contact Guzman Ramirez at Maria. GuzmanRamirez@azwestern.edu or (928) 314-9454.