A Teen’s Take: Brandie C. Tate on how Career Compass prepared her for college

“Career Compass counselors consistently made sure that I completed the basic steps for entering college, such as having an acceptable ACT score, enough high school credits and most importantly, financial aid. … Applying for college was pretty easy at first, but I was unaware of the other tasks that I was required to complete by a certain deadline. Career Compass did a fantastic job by showing me the costs, a breakdown of colleges and the documents I was required to obtained. … For students who have a desire to go to college but are unsure about the steps that are required, seek advice from Career Compass and from other resources in your school.”

Age: 17

School: Capitol High School, 2012 graduate

Parent: Debra Tate

FAVORITES:

Book: “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”

Singers: Erykah Badu, Aaliyah and Alicia Keys

TV show: “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

Movie: “Ghost Rider” and “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins”

Hangout: The city of Baker

Role model: “I have not looked up to someone, but rather I have fed off of advice and wisdom.”

Extra: Career Compass of Louisiana is a nonprofit organization that provides career and college coaching services to high school seniors in 19 school districts across the state. Tate was among 18 area high school seniors in May who received a combined total of $100,000 in scholarships on behalf of the Boo Grigsby Foundation. “When I was informed that I received the Boo Grigsby Scholarship, I was filled with joy and a sigh of relief knowing that this was my first scholarship to help me pay for LSU.” Tate graduated valedictorian of her class and will attend LSU and major in biomedical engineering and minor in music this fall.

Chante Dionne Warren

Special to The Advocate