March into Spring!

BLOG POST

Continuing with our new feature this year for our blog, writers can write a blog or tell us their Top 5! This month we are featuring a Top 5 blog from Elana Ruminski, First Year College Advisor at CSN. She did it in flyer form! You can read it here!

Final Push for the Nevada FAFSA Challenge!!

March 31, 2026

Just a few weeks left for spring FAFSA events that will help decide which high schools will win the 2nd annual Nevada FAFSA Challenge, the state's FAFSA completion effort. All GEAR UP NV schools participate in the NSHE FAFSA Completion Initiative which means they are eligible to win! This initiative provides student level FAFSA completion data and allows schools to identify and assist students in completing and submitting their FAFSA. Mineral County High School won last year - can another GEAR UP high school win this year?

YLS Applications and Selection Process

April 3rd

NCCEP has awarded our program 4 student slots for the upcoming Youth Leadership Summit in DC this July. In addition, students that attend will also remain in DC after the summit and attend campus tours in the area. Recently, Josh Loftis at NDE sent out information and a link on the application process. The applications are by Specialist recommendation with FYCA input, if applicable. The deadline for students to apply is April 3rd. Applicants will be notified by April 13th if they have been selected.

Social Media

(For all students, parents, staff and supporters)

If you have any suggestions for our social media, let Jana or Janet know! We are open to new ideas to help grow our following! Don't forget to like and follow @gearupnv on any or all of our social media platforms! You can use the icons above to access the GEAR UP accounts. We would love for you to tag us and interact whenever possible!

More GBC Tech Day and College and Career Fair Photos!

Spring College and Career Fairs

This year we split our college & career fairs to better meet the needs of our schools. Most of our CCSD schools held their annual fairs in the fall, while our rural schools chose the spring. Both Mineral County High School (MCHS) and Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) had successful college & career fairs over the past month! Although northern Nevada had a winter storm in mid-February, the college & career fair at MCHS just missed it! A gym full of Nevada colleges and a variety of career professionals traveled to Hawthorne, Nevada to provide students with information, resources, and takeaways on various pathways possible after high school. Students were even provided with a list of questions they could ask the various guests to start conversations. Down in southern Nevada, PVHS provided a robust range of options for students to learn more about local and out-of-state colleges and businesses with resources to support them as they navigate options on their future. It was a great time as always, and a huge congratulations to our GEAR UP teams at each school for creating such successful services for our Nevada GEAR UP students!

GBC Tech Event

Students from all five Nevada GEAR UP high schools converged on Great Basin College's Pahrump Valley Center on March 2nd for an Industrial Technology and Workforce Development Career Exploration Day. In addition to touring the campus, including the Machining and Manufacturing workshop, students interacted with employers from various fields - including mining and energy - to find out about what options exist in those areas. Students reported that they learned "That one link in trade can actually open doors to more careers than I expected." and that "I learned about some programs that helped me solidify what I want to do."

This is what GEAR UP is all about! Helping students find their path to a great career after high school! Great job team!

Welcome Jessica!

Say "hello" to Jessica Edmondson-Johnson who has recently joined us from UNLV. Jessica is a graduate student who will be filling the First Year College Advisor role at UNLV. Jessica is studying Couples and Family Therapy. Originally from Utah, Jessica was recently married. She is excited to join in the important work that GEAR UP does.


Welcome to GEAR UP Jessica!

So Long Amanda!

We wish we didn't have to say it but it is time to say good-bye to Amanda Tapia, GEAR UP Specialist at Bonanza High School. Amanda has been with the program for a couple of years now but with the grant in it's final year at CCSD, she recently accepted a new position.

Wishing you a lot of luck in your new role, Amanda! You will be missed!

April Awareness Calendars, GBC Tech Day, and Career Fair Photos!