We Made it to May!

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 blog from Kelly Briggs, First year College Advisor at GBC. You can read it here!

Who Won the 2nd Annual Nevada FAFSA Challenge?

May 2026

Was it another GEAR UP high school? Well no, unfortunately this year a GEAR UP school did not win the honor. There were three winners this year based on senior class size. They were:

Indian Springs HS

West CTA

Del Sol HS

All of the winning schools are part of CCSD.

There's always next year! Congratulations to the winning schools!

Summer Bridge Program

June 23-25

The dates are set and the schedule is being developed. Students will be spending three days and two nights on the UNLV campus. It is bound to be an exciting experience for students. Mario Rodriguez, Interim ASPIRE Director is taking the lead and will be reaching out to staff to see who can present and otherwise assist during this event.

Destination DC

July 18-25

NCCEP notified us that we were able to take a fifth student to the conference/Youth Leadership Summit (YLS). We have selected our four five students to attend the YLS and arrangements are being made, not just for that event but for an extended stay so that these lucky students get to experience more of Washington, DC.

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!

Spring Recurring Services Recap

We have finally wrapped services for the 2025-2026 school year! Through new challenges and unexpected changes, the Nevada GEAR UP team collaborated to ensure students at all of our schools and institutions were able to receive services through the end of the school year. From consistent community partners like our military and college recruiters, to new guest presenters discussing forensic science, health physics, and workforce opportunities - students were able to learn about a vast array of careers and pathway options for life after high school. Even themes like how to use AI responsibly were shared at each GEAR UP high school. Nevada GEAR UP Specialists, First-Year College Advisors, College Coordinator, and ASPIRE staff worked hard all year to provide these recurring services and have enjoyed supporting students throughout this grant. Next up: summer events!

Congratulations and So Long to Kacie!

For the last year, Kacie Harer has been diligently creating and posting our regular social media content. Kacie is of course, our GEAR UP Communications Specialist, a part time student worker position. Kacie is a senior at UNR and will be graduating this month after which, she will be moving on to her next step in life. Kacie majored in Public Health while attending UNR.

We appreciate all of your work for our program Kacie! Congratulations on your graduation and much luck in the future, wherever life may take you!

NCCEP National Conference

It is that time of year again! Registration has opened for the NCCEP National Conference to be held in Washington, DC this July. As usual, we have a Nevada contingent that will be attending. And for the first time this grant cycle, we will have students attending the Youth Leadership Summit! NCCEP has released it's new theme for the conference, Lighting the Way, which "reminds us that even in challenging times, light can guide us forward with clarity and purpose. Together in GEAR UP, we illuminate new paths, kindle inspiration, and create a future bright enough for others to follow."

If you will be attending, we know you will have a great experience!!

Good-Bye to Kelly W!

Kelly Weddingfeld, our GEAR UP Specialist at Clark HS has let us know that she will be moving on to a new position this fall. Kelly has been with the program for a couple years now and has been covering all of the GEAR UP events and activities at Clark on her own for several months. Kelly will be with GEAR UP until the end of this school year and then she will still be a counselor with CCSD, working to help high schools students find their path after high school.

We wish you lots of luck in your new position, Kelly! Thank you for all of your work for the GEAR UP program and Clark HS!

June Awareness Calendars!