LEDGER — Mitchell High School has a new College Advising Counselor and she is already beginning the process of helping local seniors reach their post-secondary goals.
Burnsville native Molly Riddle has taken the position.
A recent graduate of Brevard College, she moved back to Burnsville when she was recently hired by the College Advising Corps to work as a college adviser.
Riddle was then placed in Mitchell County.
Riddle majored in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Agriculture. Her passions lie in the mountains and the people that live there.
“I am so excited to work with these seniors,” she said. “I was lucky enough to get placed in Mitchell County.”
All seniors should have received a College Access Partnership texting permission form. Riddle asks seniors to fill out the form and return it as soon as possible to give permission to use text as a form of communication throughout the school year.
A virtual Zoom meeting regarding financial aid is set for Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. The meeting is designed as a workshop to answer questions about how students can pay for college.
The financial aid workshop will feature discussions about scholarships, grants, loans and Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA application period opens Oct. 1.
On Thursday, Oct. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., students and parents can participate in FAFSA completion night and can receive help on their applications via Zoom.
The Zoom FAFSA completion night will continue on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Riddle will send Zoom links to the meetings as the dates approach.
Riddle welcomes questions from parents or students regarding getting to college.
“College was so incredible and eye-opening for me,” Riddle said. “I want to help students experience that as well. I really want post-secondary education to become more of a tradition for families here in rural Appalachia.
Email Riddle at mriddle@mhslive.net or call her at 688-2101.