One hundred eight high school sophomores from Inyo County, accompanied by 12 chaperones, recently embarked on an overnight field trip to explore post-secondary education options across California. Over the first two days of October, students toured Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Cuesta Community College. This excursion was part of a series of trips organized to help high schoolers make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.
The Inyo County Office of Education (ICOE) organized this impactful program with support from Bishop, Big Pine, and Lone Pine schools. The trip was designed to expose students to higher education environments and various career pathways. Sunny Ceron, Assistant Principal and TK-12 School Counselor for Big Pine Unified School District, noted the value of the experience. Ceron stated that this opportunity allowed students to investigate different educational routes, observe diverse campus settings, and imagine possibilities they might not have otherwise considered. She expressed gratitude for ICOE's continued efforts to make such experiences available, hoping students would gain a broader outlook on their futures and confidence to pursue opportunities, understanding their origins do not limit their potential.
The group departed Inyo County on the morning of October 1, making their initial stop at Cal State Bakersfield. Students had the chance to experience campus life directly by having lunch at the Runner Café dining hall. Following the meal, student guides led the group on a comprehensive tour, showcasing major academic buildings, recreational facilities, and student housing. Many of the sophomores particularly highlighted that seeing a furnished dorm room was a significant part of the tour. Later that day, despite a challenging heat wave in the Central Valley, the group continued their journey to the cooler climate of San Luis Obispo. They arrived at 5:30 p.m., where they enjoyed dinner at Woodstock’s Pizza before exploring the well-known downtown Farmers Market.
On October 2, the focus shifted to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After touring the campus and its bookstore, students attended a special panel discussion featuring alumni from Inyo County. Local graduates Mylee Patton from Lone Pine High School’s class of 2025 and Nora Cimino from Bishop Union High School’s class of 2019 were among those who shared valuable insights. These alumni, currently studying at Cal Poly and Cuesta or working locally, provided the sophomores with unique perspectives on selecting a major, navigating financial aid processes, and balancing academic and personal life while on campus. One student reflected, "I really liked hearing from the Inyo graduate panel at Cal Poly."
Following a second collegiate dining experience at Cal Poly’s Vista Grande, the group concluded their educational trip with an afternoon visit to nearby Cuesta Community College. Guides at Cuesta highlighted the institution's wide array of certificate programs, vocational tracks, and associate degrees. They also explained the process for transferring to Cal Poly and detailed the various financial aid options available to students. Post-trip surveys indicated the excursion was a success, with 86% of participating students reporting increased confidence that college is an achievable goal for them.
The program will continue its reach, as a second group of students from Lone Pine High School is scheduled to undertake the same itinerary in November. The Inyo County Office of Education extended its sincere gratitude to the dedicated chaperones and drivers who ensured the trip was both safe and successful. These individuals included Sunny Ceron, Dave Calloway, Christie Nesbit, Alice Bruck, Stephanie Perez, April Nafeh, Devan Yarnell, Corinne Quintana, Bri McGovern, Alisa Brooks, Pat Slee, and the Bishop Union High School Link Crew leaders. Special thanks were also extended to the admissions and campus staff at Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Cuesta College for their warm hospitality.