High school students, from a variety of locations both near and far, came to California Baptist University to participate in 24@CBU on Nov. 18-19 and most recently on Dec. 2-3.
24@CBU is a program that allows high school seniors to experience CBU for a full 24 hours in order to get a real feel for CBU.
Much like Spring Preview Day, the campus accommodates prospective students, but this time for 24 hours.
High school seniors get to tour the campus, audition for the theater and music departments, enjoy food in the Alumni Dining Commons or Brisco’s Village Cafe, sit in on Chapel and a class relating to their major, sleep on-campus and participate in plenty of student activities.
Rhonda Shackelford, undergraduate admissions visit and events coordinator, was the woman in charge of the detailed event. She encouraged students since September’s freshmen orientation to sign up to host 24@CBU students. These hosts fellowship with students and give them a real perspective of life at CBU.
Rebekah Johnson, a student in the second 24@CBU, is a senior from Woodcrest Christian High School. She was able to catch current CBU students spending hours on homework and assignments.
“The students are up really late studying. It showed me their dedication to their schoolwork,” Johnson said.
Other student activities varied from sports games, performances and hanging out with current students. They were also given the opportunity to attend an application workshop that not only gave them help with applying but also waved the application fee.
On Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m. students got the chance to watch the University Choir and Orchestra perform in the Stamps Courtyard.
There was a plethora of activities planned for students on Dec. 2 as well. Students watched a CBU tradition unfold, the lighting of the Christmas tree on the front lawn after Male Chorale performed.
At the Christmas party, there was also an ugly christmas sweater contest, gingerbread house contest, snow to play in (and a snowball fight), delicious treats to eat and live music by CBU alumni Travis Ryan.
“The Christmas party was pretty cool, because even though I didn’t know a lot of people we were still able to have fun in the chaos that was the epic snowball fight,” Jessica Bills, senior from Woodcrest Christian High School, said.
There was also a volleyball game between a team from Russia and the men’s volleyball team.
Shackelford suggests current CBU students should also get involved. They can sign up to host a student or simply eat with the high school seniors as well as having conversations and making 24@CBU students feel welcomed on campus.
“It showed me what happens [here at CBU]. I really liked how the students really want to get to know you. They’re very friendly,” Travis Lee, 24@CBU student from Martin Luther King H.S., said.
