Thirty students from George McGovern and Ben Riefel Middle Schools recently visited the University of Sioux Falls to take part in a campus fine arts experience. Students were led on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Jeschke Performing Arts Center, experiencing a backstage look at the orchestra pit area, scene shop, box office, Meredith stage, and fly loft area.
Students then heard from USF President, Dr. Brett Bradfield, about the opportunities and choices available to them through pursuit of higher education. He encouraged them to explore various career opportunities, seek out opportunities for co-curricular involvement, and to persist through difficult circumstances. Following Dr. Bradfield’s remarks, the students enjoyed dinner on campus while hearing from a panel of USF first-generation students and alumni. The panel shared stories about their experiences in deciding to attend college, challenges that they’ve encountered, co-curricular involvement on campus, and their favorite classes that they’ve taken at USF. Each panel member reiterated the advice to the students to never lose sight of their dreams.
The evening wrapped up with a showing of the USF musical performance of “Once Upon a Mattress”. Thank you to Steve Hildebrand and the Promising Futures Fund organization for their partnership in providing this opportunity to these students.