The College Knowledge Night of Workshops was held with the goal to educate students and their parents on college-related topics Oct. 2.

College Knowledge Night is a free program co-hosted by the Parent Faculty Associations of high schools in the Ventura County area, primarily Oak Park High School, Agoura High School and Calabasas High School. Oak Park’s college and career advisor, Jean Gilbert Hawkins, was this year’s event coordinator and encouraged students and parents to attend.

“[College Knowledge Night of Workshops] is an excellent opportunity for everyone attending — from 9th to 12th graders — to learn all about the college process, for their plans after high school,” Hawkins said. “There are workshops for students and their parents if the student is a college-bound athlete or a student interested in a visual or performing art college [with] the four California college systems, or maybe considering applying to out-of-state colleges.”

The event had a variety of different 30-minute workshops regarding different aspects of college and the application process. The workshops were run by administrators of different high schools, colleges and parents.

“I thought it was well done and felt really informed after seeing all the different vendors about the different programs,” junior Lenny Korab said.

Sophomore Daisy Calderon said that her expectations were high for this night and that though most of them were met, she felt as though the night would have been more effective for an upperclassman.

“I was hoping to gain a broader knowledge on certain aspects of college, more specifically, knowing what schools to apply for that would best suit my interests. I’d say most of my expectations were met in that I gathered a lot of useful information, but it wasn’t as relevant to me, right now that is, as I would have hoped for,” said Calderon.

The night began with the ACT/SAT test prep fair. The ACT/SAT vendors included Catalyst Prep, Ivy Approach, Jeng Academic Center, Know It All Tutoring, Superior College Prep and more.

Other workshops offered ranged from information for college-bound athletes, to financial aid and out-of-state college information, and many other topics, totaling to almost 20 different workshops.

In an email after the event Principal Kevin Buchanan wrote, “The kudos have been coming in all day as parents and presenters are expressing their appreciation for the resources and organization that Jean pulled together. We had a great turnout and the Pavilion was standing room only for the introductory session.”