By Matthew Edwards
A group of GEAR UP students from Dillon High School presented a program for the Dillon Rotary Club on Monday, September 21.  
Rotarians were informed about various school and extra-curricular activities that students are involved in.
These activities include, but are not limited to, the Interact Club, the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, the SC Chamber of Commerce Business Week, dual credit/dual enrollments classes through Northeastern Technical College (NETC), JROTC Summer Camp at Fort Jackson, the DHS/GEAR UP Student Ambassadors. Student Elijah Breeden his art portfolio and spoke of his hopes to attend The School of Visual Arts in New York.  
Rotarians heard first-hand how these experiences are helping students prepare for their futures.  
The most impressive thing about these students is that they are well-rounded and very prepared for college.  
Those who are disciplined and work hard have the opportunity to enter college as sophomores by taking classes through NETC.  GEAR UP also provides funding for tuition and books. The Rotarians expressed surprise to learn about all these activities.
Students watched as Mayor Todd Davis signed a proclamation declaring the week of September 21-25 as National GEAR UP Week in Dillon.  GEAR UP is an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.  
The students and graduation coaches, Cynthia Hulon and Lee Page, agree that the objectives of GEAR UP have been met so far.   GEAR UP offers great opportunities for students to reach their college and career goals.