Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo High school students listen to a presentation by A&M students and staff by the "Do You Wonder" bus. The bus travels the state advocating college education. [Click to enlarge]

Members of the LEGENDARY Recruiting Squad, an organization new to campus, spent spring break in San Antonio, spreading information to high school students about the ins and outs of the college application process.

"I realized I wanted to start the LEGENDARY Recruiting Squad when I noticed a need for more minority students on this campus," said president of the squad David Reeves, a senior communication major. "There are so many well qualified minority students who never consider [A&M] or even college, because they have no one telling them how realistic higher education truly is."

The intent of the "Do You Wonder?" campaign and the bus is to attract a more diverse student community and to help students around the state have easy, straightforward access to information in order to create a path toward higher education.

The squad ventured to different high schools in the $1.2 million bus. The tour bus comes fully equipped with all the information the squad believes high school students need to know about how to secure a spot at A&M or other universities. Inside the bus, students will find computers for registration, touch-screen devices to watch various videos on life in Aggieland and a mock dorm room, among other features designed so students can get a taste of on-campus living.

There are five main issues the tour focuses on: college placement exams, essay writing, financial aid, college life and the application process.

Reeves and his team gave five sessions a day, covering topics from financial aid and scholarships to organizations and nightlife. The staff also discusses what Aggie is all about and gives a tour of the bus. At the end of the session, the students have an opportunity to ask questions.

"I liked being able to sit and talk to the kids one on one at the end of the day, so they could ask questions without being in front of a group," said Ivana Leon, a junior political science major and secretary of the squad.

Leon wanted to present information to students who wouldn't normally be able to easily receive this information.

Corp members of the squadtalked to students about different paths to the military.

"We talk to them about the military and going to college first and how the difference in opportunities and pay is phenomenal," said Justin Hale, vice president of the squad and a junior sports management major.

The most important thing the squad wanted students to take away from the experience is that every student has opportunities and a chance at a college education.

Become a speaker
For any student organizations that are interested in becoming guest speakers with the bus tour, contact the coordinator, Jacob Castoreno, at his e-mail address: jcastoreno@neo.tamu.edu.

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