College-bound students featured in PEF, Bi-Lo campaign
For the fourth straight year, billboards and life-sized cutouts in grocery stores will feature recent seniors of Hamilton County schools who are heading to college.
The College Bound! campaign, sponsored by PEF, the Hamilton County Department of Education and Bi-Lo, will feature 19 students from each of the county's 18 public high schools. The campaign, which launched Thursday, will run through October and is designed to encourage current students to consider furthering their education after completing their high school careers.
At its most recent measure, the graduation rate in Hamilton County was 81.7 percent—an increase from 80.2 percent in 2010 and 70.9 percent in 2009.
Along with the billboards and cutouts, posters of the students will be distributed to high schools, and a Facebook page will feature posts from the students describing their initial experiences of college life. The campaign is backed by a $26,900 grant from Bi-Lo Charities.
In a news release, Stacy Lightfoot, PEF director of college access and success, said the organization was hopeful the campaign would encourage students to consider their opportunities following graduation.
"In today's world, it is more important than ever for students to understand all their post-secondary options," she said. "The College Bound! campaign provides online tools to supplement the world of PEF's college advisors while highlighting local students who are going to college."
