College Application Week, which was observed Nov. 14-18 at Southside High School, was a great success.

This year’s event, chaired by Chynna Bonner, junior/senior counselor, kicked off with the second-annual CAW door-decorating contest, a favorite of the teachers and students alike. The Students’ Choice Award went to Ashley Grant of the math department, who received 35 percent of the votes cast during the lunch hour. Judges from the community – Joey Toler, executive director of the Beaufort County Arts Council;  Michele Oros, grant writer for Beaufort County Schools; and Dale Cole, principal at Chocowinity Middle Schools – selected the 2011-2012 grand-prize winner, Meredith Southworth of the English department, followed by Ashley Grant of the math department in second place and Lisa Johnson of the math department in third place. Teachers left their door exhibits up the entire week and wore college and university gear Nov. 18 to encourage students’ interest in post-secondary education.

Aaron Lewis, computer lab facilitator, assisted Bonner in the lab as 63 percent of the senior class took part in this statewide event. Fifty-five seniors applied to at least one college of their choice during College Application Week. By the week’s end, Beaufort County Community College yielded 26 applicants, while Elizabeth City State University ran a close second with 20 completed applications.

Lisa Chapman, an SHS senior, expressed the sentiments of many seniors in a note to Bonner: “I am thankful that you worked so hard getting me ready for College Application Week. It all paid off because I was ready to submit five applications on the first day!”