On September 10, 2025, Henry J. Kaiser High School hosted a College Fair and Financial Aid Night. Both students and families were invited to see the tables lined with brochures and representatives eager to share what their schools have to offer. For a lot of students, this was a look into the world of higher education, and for others it was a reminder of their deadlines and choices that are closing in.
This event was designed to make planning for life after high school feel less overwhelming. Counselors and advisors encouraged students to ask questions and take advantage of the chance to learn about their options. Everyone who walked away from the College Fair got the chance to see the reality of what the planning process of life after high school looks like.
Freshman First Impressions
For freshman Mabel McDonnell, college fair was an insight into her future.
“My first impression when going to the college fair was that it was full of people,” McDonnell said. “They were all from many different colleges ready to get Kaiser student participation. I immediately felt welcome and ready to join!”
Though college may feel far off, McDonnell said the event reminded her how quickly those decisions will come.
“This event showed me how real it is that I will soon have to make the decision,” she said. “It also opened my eyes to the amount of possibilities that lie ahead!”
Early Exposure
Counselors encourage freshmen and sophomores to attend the college fair so they can start to think about their future early on. Seeing the variety of programs and schools represented helps younger students set up goals for the following years of high school from academic planning, to extracurricular involvement.
A Senior’s Perspective
For seniors like Ellis Roberts, the fair carries more weight. Applications and deadlines are approaching and Roberts said the limited number of colleges at the event made the experience less than expected.
“The college fair wasn’t the most helpful because it only had a select few colleges and most of the info that was obtained was info that is easily obtainable online,” Roberts explained.
Even without finding a dream school, Roberts is leaning toward leaving Hawai’i for opportunities on the mainland.
“I don’t have any colleges that I am super interested in committing to, but a place I want to go is definitely Southern California,” he said.
Ellis admitted the transition feels both exciting and overwhelming.
“I am excited and nervous for what’s to come in the next couple of years. I don’t know how I am gonna adapt to the change especially for the first couple of months.”
Despite mixed feelings, he shared advice for underclassmen:
“Don’t wait to decide where you want to go or what you want to do,” he said. “There’s so many opportunities to check out colleges at college visits as well as scholarship opportunities that have early deadlines as well.”
Lessons Learned
Kaiser High School’s College Fair gave Kaiser students of all grades a chance to reflect on their goals, worries, and future big decisions. For Mabel, it was an exciting awakening of the future and a reminder that opportunities reach beyond the walls of Kaiser Highschool. For Ellis, it highlighted the pressure of the present moment .
Though students experienced the event in different ways, the fair showed one common truth: preparing for college is more than just filling out applications, it’s about self-discovery, planning ahead, and finding confidence in what comes next. From guidance and support from counselors, family members, and events like this, Kaiser students are learning that the future doesn’t have to be faced all alone. It’s a step-by-step journey that starts with a freshman’s first impression or a senior’s final decision.
