After school program at Fresno State empowers kids to strive for college

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The After School University wrapped up on Wednesday at Fresno State. Thousands of area kids who were part of the program celebrated with a carnival.

It's a carnival showcase filled with dancing, crafting, and fun. The kids are playing hard after a summer of working hard at the After School University program.

We get to meet friends and make you learn," said Ariana Ariedondo, ASU student.

The program held at Fresno State gave 1,300 students this year a look into college life. The kids stayed busy with days full of field trips, academics, and other enrichment activities.

Representatives with the Teaching Fellows Foundation said the goal is to give kids a fun summer and get them thinking about going to college

"The demographics in this area. A lot of these student's home lives wouldn't have exposed them to a college campus," said Adriana Ybarra, Teaching Fellows Foundation

Some kids are hearing the message loud and clear.

"It teached me, that if I have good grades, I can make it to college, and I have to try hard," said Ariedondo.

The program said they've seen the most kids this year since ASU started in 2009. Next year, they hope to reach even more students.

"We want to give them that empowerment and get them to understand that Fresno State and the world ahead of them doesn't have to be a scary one. That they can go ahead and conquer whatever is ahead of them," said Ybarra.

And what's ahead seems promising.

"I want to learn to be a vet," said Ariedondo.