2021 Destination College Speech Contest Winner

Greetings and Salutations! My name is Amaya Simmons and I am so honored to be deemed the winner of the 2021 Destination College Speech Contest scholarship. I am a Senior at Concord High School located in Concord, New Hampshire. I am a part of the Concord Regional Technical Center Health Science program in which I am working towards my Licensed Nursing Assistant certification.

Along with this, I am a class representative for the Health Occupations Students of America organization. This organization is student-led and is largely based around the promotion of career opportunities in the healthcare industry.

My passions and values include patient advocacy, equality, dignity, and justice which has greatly motivated me to pursue my interests in Nursing. My personal interests are hiking, reading, and socializing with family and friends. I am looking forward to indulging myself in the full college experience this upcoming year.

2021 Destination College Speech Contest Runner Up

Deetya Buddhineni

I am a senior at Nashua High School South. Over my high school years, I have developed a deep passion for coding. From my passion bloomed my selected major, Computer Science.As an ambitious seventeen year old, I hope to pursue a successful career in the technology field, and use my talents to break barriers and make my mark on the world.

Apart from my interest in coding, I delight in dancing, running, and writing. I have danced competitively since I was six years old, and plan to continue to set the stage on fire. Running is my favorite physical activity, and my daily dose of energy. Writing allows me to express the creativity bottled up inside my soul. I hope to author a few books in the future, one of them being an autobiography. Another goal of mine is to create a successful YouTube channel where I can share my ideas and interests with a like-minded audience.

Speech Contest Registration

Are you graduating from high school in 2021? If so, we encourage you to submit a three to five (3 to 5) minute speech for our DC Speech Contest. By submitting this short narrative about your path to college and navigating the college admissions process, you can win a $1,000 scholarship and have the opportunity to be a part of the event's opening ceremonies. Sit with our President and CEO Christiana Thornton and other dignitaries!

Our contest has closed for 2021; applications were due Tuesday, February 09, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 20, 2021 - Schedule of the Day

9:00 AM – 9:40 AM	Opening Session
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM	Session I (Click for Session Descriptions)
10:35 AM – 10:40 AM	Speech Contest Winner Presentation
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM	Session II (Click for Session Descriptions)
11:35 AM – 11:45 AM	PSU President’s Address
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM	College Fair

DC College Fair

Registration for the 2020 Destination College fair has closed as of 3/19/2021 11:59:59 PM. For additional information, please contact Destination College co-chair Cameron Owen at 888.747.2382, ext. 332.

As of Thursday, March 18, 2021, participating colleges include:

Bay Path University, MA
Bay State College, MA
Bennington College, VT
Boston College, MA
Bridgewater State University, MA
Bryant University, RI
Castleton University, VT
Catholic University, DC
Central Maine Community College, ME
Champlain College, VT
Coastal Carolina University, SC
Colby College, ME
Colby-Sawyer College, NH
College of the Atlantic, ME
Curry College, MA
Dartmouth College, NH
Drexel University, PA
Elms College, MA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL
Emerson College, MA
Emmanuel College, MA
Endicott College, MA
Fisher College, MA
Fitchburg State University, MA
Framingham State University, MA
Franklin Pierce University, NH
Granite State College, NH
Great Bay Community College, NH
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, NY
Husson University, ME
Johnson & Wales, RI
Keene State College, NH
Lakes Region Community College, NH
Lesley University, MA
Lincoln Technical Institute - East Windsor, CT
Long Island University-Brookville, NY
Loyola University-Maryland, MD
MCPHS - Boston, MA
Maine Maritime Academy, ME
Manchester Community College, NH
Mass Maritime Academy, MA
Merrimack College, MA
Middlesex Community College, MA
NHTI, NH
Nashua Community College, NH
New England College, NH
Nichols College, MA
Northeast Maritime Institute, MA
Northern Essex Community College, MA
Pace University, NY
Plymouth State University, NH
Providence College, RI
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
River Valley Community College, NH
Rivier University, NH
Roger Williams University, RI
Russell Sage College , NY
Rutgers University, NJ
Sacred Heart University, CT
Saint Anselm College, NH
Salem State University, MA
Salve Regina University, RI
Seton Hall University , NJ
Simmons University, MA
Southern New Hampshire University, NH
Springfield College, MA
Stony Brook University, NY
Suffolk University, MA
Sweet Briar College, VA
The State University of New York (SUNY), NY
Tufts University, MA
Tuition Break, MA
Union College, NY
University of Connecticut, CT
University of Maine at Augusta, ME
University of Maine at Farmington, ME
University of Maine at Fort Kent, ME
University of Maine at Machias, ME
University of Massachusetts - Boston, MA
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth, MA
University of Massachusetts - Lowell, MA
University of New England, ME
University of New Hampshire, NH
University of New Hampshire - Manchester, NH
University of New Haven, CT
University of Notre Dame, IN
University of Oregon, OR
University of Rhode Island, RI
University of Saint Joseph , CT
University of Southern Maine, ME
University of Tampa, FL
University of Tennessee, TN
University of Vermont, VT
Ursinus College, PA
Villanova University, PA
Wentworth Institute of Technology, MA
West Virginia University, WV
Westfield State University, MA
White Mountains Community College, NH
Worcester State University, MA
Xavier University, OH

Please check back as additional colleges will be added weekly before the event.

Video Presentations (Youtube):

Workshop Sessions

Sessions (I, II)

Admissions Perspective [Session: I, II]

Everything you've always wanted to know about college admissions...but were afraid to ask! Gain insight and advice about selecting a college, the application process, and finding the right fit from an expert panel of college admissions professionals. Bring your questions!

Presenter(s): Matt Wallace - Plymouth State University, Jim Washington - Dartmouth College, Julie Lanman - Saint Anselm College

Admissions Perspective (Youtube)

Financial Aid 101 [Session: I, II]

Some of the best things in life are free, unfortunately college isn't one of them! Join a college financial aid expert as she discusses the basics of financial aid and how this aid can help families to manage college costs.

Presenter(s): Angela Castonguay - NHHEAF Network Center for College Planning

Financial Aid 101 video (Youtube)

Paths to Choosing a Major [Session: I, II]

Learn how to explore career options and enhance your personal experiences through internships, part-time jobs, community involvement, co-ops, enrichment programs, and more. This workshop will get you started on the right path for your future career.

Presenter(s): Shanyn Grenier - Coe-Brown Northwood Academy

Paths to Choosing A Major (Youtube)

The College-Bound Student-Athlete [Session: I, II]

Join college athletes, current college coaches, high school athletic directors, and a college compliance officer to learn about recruitment strategies and eligibility requirements for NCAA division-level sports.

Presenter(s): Courtney Tully - Endicott College/Collegiate Compliance Consultant, Amie Felker - Prospect Mountain High School, Jared Felker - Saint Joseph's College, Maine, TBD, Student Athlete - Plymouth State University

The College-Bound Student-Athlete (Youtube)

Two Year Degrees & Community College Options [Session: I, II]

Learn about the two-year advantage! Representatives from New Hampshire community colleges and two-year degree programs offer information and advice about special degree programs, financial considerations, and the many advantages of earning an associate degree.

Presenter(s): Denine Garnett - New Hampshire Technical Institute, Deb Pack - University of New Hampshire , TBD - Colby-Sawyer College

Two Year Degree (Youtube)

It's a Digital World [Session: I, II]

Learn about online tools available to aid you in the college selection, application, and financial aid processes. Learn the best methods (and some helpful tips) for using social media to your advantage in your college search and how public information on your social media profiles can impact your life for many years to come.

Presenter(s): Kate Kulacz - Bow High School, Beth Corkum - Bow High School

Accessing College Accommodations [Session: I, II]

In this workshop, college accessibility services professionals discuss ways in which students with documented disabilities are supported through the process of requesting and obtaining reasonable accommodations for their college academic, housing, and dining needs.

Presenter(s): Colleen Bolton - Southern New Hampshire University , Jan Carlson - University of New Hampshire, Melissa Olson - Manchester Community College

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