River City Students Experience College Football Up Close

River City Charter Academy took 120 middle school students to a Grand Valley State University football game during the first week of school.

"The students had a blast," said Tamela Brown, middle school dean, who chaperoned the trip.
The field trip was the first Tier Event, a monthly celebration for students who are meeting expectations.

"We wanted all students to experience a Tier event early in the year to encourage them to maintain positive behavior throughout the year," said Brown. "Students got a chance to engage with college from a different perspective and fell in love with the idea that there are so many things to do in college."

The students were surprised to learn they could get scholarships for being talented in different areas besides academics. The students were exposed to a cheer team (male and female), dance team, marching band, color guard team, baton twirlers, football players, and more than 5,000 GVSU students and fans.

"It was an eye-opening experience," said Brown.