by Laura Tomah, Contributing writer
Southeastern hosted the 98th annual Curriculum Contest March 31, with 2,500 high school students from 70 high schools participating. There were 40 contests with trophies and medals awarded to the best students and schools present at the event.
The subject matter included such things as mathematics, science, English, foreign language, computers and journalism. Student winners were selected from four divisions.
The curriculum contest proves to be a highly efficient recruitment tool for Southeastern as “10 to 25 percent of freshman enrollment comes from this one event,” according to Dr. James Britton.
“Many of these students enroll the day of the event,” added Britton.
High school students also benefit from the contest because it influences the schools competitively since “they are going to try to upgrade those courses they’re in so they can win them,” said Britton.
“I think the students enjoy it because there are lots of activities outside they can participate in; what high school student doesn’t like to get away from school for a day and have fun?” stated Britton.
Britton also said the contest wouldn’t have been possible without Mike Morris from the computer science department, Rhonda Richards assisting with data processing and Robert Nordmark helping with the display and data entry.
He added that Liz McCraw, the dean of enrollment management, helped put the event together by getting together rooms, entertainment and everything else in-between.