OUTLET: Wavy

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – High school students celebrated their commitment to higher education at the Ted Constant Center at ODU on Tuesday.

More than 1,200 students took part in National Signing Day put on by Norfolk’s ACCESS College Foundation.

Hundreds of similar events have taken place across the country as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Reach Higher” initiative.

“I couldn’t have done this myself, without this program I would have to pay for college out of pocket and it helped me get into school as well,” says Kathleen Stemple, who is heading to ODU to study biology.

ACCESS helps students navigate the college application process. Advisors meet with students one-on-one, starting as early as middle school in some locations, to plant that seed of higher education.

Then in high school, advisors guide students through college applications and filing for financial aid.