Summer Bridge team-building exerciseIncoming freshmen in the TRiO Summer Bridge program participate in team-building exercises on June 11. 

A group of 84 first-generation students from throughout the Salinas Valley on June 14 will conclude a weeklong Summer Bridge orientation intended to prepare them for success during their first year at Hartnell College and beyond.

Organized and presented by TRiO/Student Support Services (TRiO/SSS) at Hartnell, Summer Bridge will culminate in a Unification Circle at 12:50 p.m. on the college’s Main Campus at 411 Central Ave. The group’s final morning of learning, reflection and team-building will include a water balloon game at 10 a.m. and a pizza lunch at 11:30 a.m.

TRiO/SSS is a federally funded support program that serves first-generation and low-income students throughout their years at Hartnell with proactive counseling, math and English tutoring, educational and career workshops, trips to visit state universities and assistance in seeking financial aid. On May 26, the program recognized 67 new Hartnell graduates at a celebration attended by 375 people.

Beginning June 17, the students will complete a six-week college course called Counseling 1, which will deepen their knowledge about Hartnell and increase their readiness to earn a degree and either transfer to a four-year university or begin a career.

Summer Bridge, now in its fourth year, is a fast-paced and highly scheduled experience that began on June 10 has continued with six-hour days all week. Activities have included icebreakers, with questions such as “What are you looking forward to at school?”, team-building exercises such as “River Crossing” and “Spider Web” and “Magic Circle” discussions with questions like “How would your best friend describe you?”

In addition, the students have toured important campus buildings, been introduced to a wide variety of student support programs, heard from a panel of current and former Hartnell students and been invited to consider and write on topics such as “Describe how you will use teamwork in your educational journey. What are your strongest skills as a team member?”

Norma Nichols, a counselor with TRiO/SSS, said helping first-generation students connect with one another and with staff is crucial because often they do not have anyone at home who has experienced college.

“If they can make a connection with a teacher, a mentor or a counselor – somebody at the campus who they feel comfortable with – research has shown they are less likely to drop out.”