When students enter high school, typically, they do not know what they want to do after they graduate, so many high schools help provide opportunities for students to explore their options. On Thursday, April 18, McHenry West High School hosted its fifth annual College and Career Fair that allows students to explore their options after high school.

West Campus houses this expo for all grades at MCHS while bringing students over from East Campus to experience the college search as well.

Since its creation, there seems to have been a change in student attitudes from their freshman year to senior year.

“It is interesting to see the different grade levels because the freshmen are more naive… and by the time they are juniors, you see the juniors much more confident and asking questions,” said West Campus Principal Marsha Potthoff.

When freshman Naomi Castillo experienced the expo for the first time, she described it slightly overcrowded, which seems to be a common initial reaction. When senior Mayra Hernandez-Luna recalled her freshman year, she also said that the expo was overcrowded and can be overwhelming.

As a senior who is graduating in May, Hernandez-Luna has been through four college and career expos and has gathered wisdom and understanding of her possible options. Her advice for the students in the years to come is to “keep an open mind.”

Students have expressed that while there are some great options at the expo, students would like to see more out-of-state schools present, rather than just schools in the Midwest.

From freshmen to seniors, both Castillo and Hernandez-Luna both agree that the expo is a great opportunity overall and allows students a chance to explore their options.