Methacton High School Family Talks College

When asked why Methacton High School junior Nick Mazza attended the recent Greater Norristown Regional College Fair, he gave a simple and straightforward answer:

“My Mom,” Nick said with a smile.

Nick attended the event with his mother Beth Ann Mazza, who is also vice-chair on the Lower Providence Parks and Recreation Board.

They were there to see the nearly 40 colleges participating in the event. The event offered a true variety of higher learning opportunities, from large universities to specialized trade schools.

According to Lauren Angstadt, who represented Empire Beauty School at the college fair, it’s important that high-school age students know what they would be interested in studying or becoming involved with by the time they reach junior and senior years, whether if they would be at an academic or trade school.

For Nick, he said that his focus was to find a school with a strong lacrosse program.

“I definitely looked at the lacrosse sports programs,” Nick said. “But, I want a good education, lacrosse comes second.”

Beth Ann said that Nick is the eldest, and therefore the first among his younger siblings, to undergo the college application process.

This would mean his parents are undergoing the college application process for the first time, as well. Beth Ann said that the entire family should be involved when planning for college.

“It has to be,” Beth Ann said. “You, as a parent, have different concerns than you child does.”

As a parent, she said she is looking at schools that will provide safety and security, as well as a positive social atmosphere, and particularly a school with high standards in education.

“Also, what kind of support will they give him after college?” Beth Ann asked.

She said that college fairs are an excellent way of getting answers to such questions, and provide an opportunity for a student to explore colleges and places they may never have known existed.

As a junior, Nick and his family still have some time to decide, which ultimately means more online research, more campus visits and particularly more college fairs.

“It is truly a learning process for both of us,” Beth Ann said.