Quest connects classroom and community
For several Arlington ISD students, summer meant more than a break from school. It was an opportunity to live on a college campus, learn from university professors, and explore what it means to build a strong community.
Students from Seguin and Sam Houston high schools participated in the Quest for Community summer program at The University of Texas at Arlington. The three-week residential program gives rising high school seniors an opportunity to experience college life while earning college credit and exploring subjects, including political science, government, philosophy, literature, and civic life.
Students lived in UTA residence halls, attended college-level classes, participated in discussions and activities, and connected what they learned in the classroom to experiences in the community.
Jarelys Erazo, a senior at Sam Houston, believes the impact of the college experience will last a lifetime.
“The Quest for Community program has taught me many things that I believe are crucial for my future, not just in college, but also life-long lessons,” Erazo said.
For Seguin senior Giselle Guadalupe Juarez, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was the opportunity to stretch and grow.
“During Quest Camp, I really enjoyed staying with a roommate and switching roommates each week, even though it was outside my comfort zone.”
Students completed daily readings and met with professors to discuss what they had learned. They also participated in recreational activities like pickleball, soccer, and volleyball and took part in field trips and community service projects.
Sam Houston student Victoria Isibor said the program gave students a chance to explore ideas they may not typically encounter in high school.
Students read works by philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato and discussed their ideas about what a community should look like. Isibor said she learned about Aristotle’s concept of the golden mean, which emphasizes balance between extremes.
But the classroom was only one part of the experience.
The program also took students into the community, including a visit to Bonton Farms in Dallas, where they learned about the people and organizations working to strengthen their communities. Students also participated in service projects, including making birthday cards for foster children.
Erazo said those experiences helped students understand that the lessons they discussed in class extend beyond the university campus.
“On the topic of community, we were thrilled to know we would attend field trips to connect our readings into the real world and learn about community more precisely.”
The experience was designed to continue beyond the summer, with students receiving ongoing mentoring as they prepare for college applications, scholarships, and their transition to higher education.
“My experience at UTA was amazing,” said Sam Houston student Nevaeh Queen. “I loved meeting people from different schools. I also liked how we got a little sneak peek and got to experience the college experience.”