b' One way I have been researching how to find my fit is by taking advantage of the virtual tours and the events that colleges have been hosting. Theyve been a great opportunity to get a feel Response to COVID-19 for the school, what it looks like, Celebrating Students what opportunities they have on and o campus, At the Philadelphia Futures Graduation Celebration on June 3rd, we celebrated theand what students there are doing right now accomplishments of 147 high school and higher education graduates in a virtual during the pandemic. environment. Our student speakers shared their stories and well wishes for their peers.Futures Board Member and 6abc Action News anchor Rick Williams hosted the event.Governor Wolf, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia Dr. William Hite, PA Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera, college presidents, media celebrities, board Mary Ingram, Franklin Learning Center High School, Philadelphia Futures Class of 2021, Charles E. Ellis Trust Enrichment Grant Recipientmembers, and sta expressed their appreciation and their support. You can watch thefull celebration at bit.ly/PFVirtualGraduation. College Admissions Access College Success Although many college campuses closed during the pandemic, our students found alternative ways to engage with colleges and do their fit research.Over the summer, The College Success team conducted spring check-ins and summer consultations colleges and universities increased their virtual engagement opportunities, oeringremotely, virtually seeing over 350 collegians. Consultations are an important time virtual tours, essay workshops, Q&A sessions with college deans, panels discussing the for reviewing academic progress, looking over financial aid and billing statements, andfirst-generation-to-college experience, and more. And while the Class of 2021 risingchecking in on student well-being. Summer 2020 consultations included an assessmentseniors were unable to spendthe annual College Admissions Marathon on a college of student technology needs and their plan for virtual learning in the fall.campus, they engaged in virtual writing workshops and drafted their personal statements with the help of OCA sta and writing volunteers. Many students took the initiative to seek out additional virtual tours and information sessions, includingthree students who attended over 25 sessions. After each virtual college experience, students submitted reflections. 5'