Host: Matt Watson 

Topic: College Counseling and Walk 4 MHF

Eye On The Valley – College Counseling and Walk 4 MHF–  May 5th, 2023

Guests:  Kris Nilsen, Kelly O’ Keefe

On today’s episode of Eye on the Valley, host Matt Watson welcomes Kris Nilsen- College/Career Advisor for SCVi Charter School- to discuss her work with leading high-school seniors to their desired education/career paths after graduation. Matt opens up the conversation by discussing all of Kris’ personal educational accolades and how her journey led her to work for SCVi. Kris discusses how she celebrates the success of seniors on “Final Decision Celebration Day”, and how SCVi has 12th graders prepare a “Senior Defense”, in which they have to articulate why they are ready to graduate. Seniors have many unique paths to follow, and the “one size fits all” approach of sending them to well-known universities isn’t always the only choice.

Matt wraps up the first half of the show by discussing the history of today’s holiday- Cinco De Mayo – and some common misconceptions surrounding its origin.

On the second half, Eye on the Valley introduces Kelly O’ Keefe, who runs the SCV Connected Podcast, to discuss the upcoming 2023 Walk 4 MHF. Kelly discusses the nature of the event and how the Michael Hoefflin Foundation is engaging the community on the fight against childhood cancer. Matt gives an inspirational anecdote about a friend of his with a child battling with cancer. Kelly wraps up the segment by describing what community members can look forward to at the event, such as a Pancake Breakfast and a silent auction

Lastly, Matt and producer, Andrew wrap up the show in the usual fashion – having Big T host his trivia with topics ranging from history to movie trivia.