High school seniors check out ENMU

After information sessions, three teenage girls moved through the crowd at the organization fair, stopping to pick up information or talk to college instructors. Before it’s even lunchtime, they’ve learned more about what Eastern New Mexico University has for them.

Lake Arthur High School seniors Mary Jane Salcido, Elisa Chavarrie and Priscilla Saiz joined other high school seniors at the university’s third annual Green and Silver Day on Saturday to see the school firsthand.

“It has a lot to offer,” Saiz said of Eastern.

She also found that university staff were willing to answer questions or find information they didn’t know.

Salcido said the campus is not too close to home or too far away, and Chavarrie said everybody was welcoming.

The free event includes an organization fair, small-group time with professors, seminars for parents, tours, door prizes and lunch on campus.

“This is the day we have high school seniors come in to take a look at ENMU and decide whether or not Eastern is what they want in a college,” said ENMU President Steven Gamble.

University Coordinator of Enrollment Services Stephanie McClary, who organized Green and Silver Day, said 123 students participated.

While Gamble estimated that 90 percent of the high school students come from New Mexico or West Texas, he also met a young man from Norway and a family from Cincinnati on Saturday. He expects 65 percent to 75 percent of the Green and Silver Day attendees to enroll at Eastern.

McClary said the university has a similar day in the spring for high school juniors.