Palouse Pathways, a local nonprofit providing high school students with higher education resources, is hosting a free “Returning Student Forum” from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, December 30, in the Great Room of the 1912 Center in Moscow. The annual event gives current high school students a chance to learn about college experiences from local high school graduates. This is the eighth year Palouse Pathways has hosted the regional event, initially inspired by a forum held at Moscow High School.
The returning college students, home on winter break, are eager to share their experiences and insights with current high schoolers. This year, students from American University, Columbia, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Princeton, Tufts, University of British Columbia, University of Idaho, University of Washington, Washington State University, and more are expected to attend.
The returning student speakers say they are happy to participate because the event was helpful for them when they were in high school. Ian Schlater, an American University sophomore who graduated from Moscow High, remembers that “attending the lunch allowed me to hear from students about their experiences on campus, the academics, and social life, while providing a
more truthful perspective. These conversations helped me decide what I value in a school and what would be a best fit.” Ian is now one of the event organizers, along with Sophia Gauthier, a 2024 graduate of Pullman High School now attending the University of British Columbia.
The event will feature a round-robin format, where high schoolers will move from table to table, in set intervals, to talk with different groups of college students. Time will also be provided for informal and one-on-one conversations.
The forum is free and open to all high school students in grades 9 through 12, including homeschool students. Pizza and festive treats will be served. Gift cards will be raffled off, and students who travel to Moscow for the event will receive gas gift cards.
Palouse Pathways is a community organization that provides college and career guidance and resources for families on the Palouse. For more information, email palousepathways@gmail.com or visit www.palousepathways.org.
