There's a saying that "it takes a village to raise a child."
For some Toledo-area high school students, the Excel Program at the University of Toledo is like extended family.
"Everything that's been a part of my high school experience has been through the guidance of Excel," said Waverly Hill-Mathis a senior at St. Ursula." "So, Excel is like a family. It's never ending."
This student is doing something her parents never got the chance to do because she has this extended family.
"They've never had a program like this where they had guidance," Hill-Mathis said. "And I'll actually be the first generation to go to college. I'll be the first one headed off to college. They're very excited."
Merida Allen is an associate direct at Excel and said this program will stick with you, "I was a part of the fifth group." The program will start its 25 group this year.
The students attend seminars about filling out college applications, writing college essays and navigating financial aid.
"Excel, they take us step-by-step as for was the college process goes," Hill-Mathis said.
After students are inducted into the program, they spend a week during the summer living on the UT campus and attending classes.
"You go straight to the dorms and you basically live a week of college life," she said.
Students spend the next four years doing community service, maintaining a 3.0 GPA and preparing for the next big step.
Hill-Mathis will attend UT in the Fall and wants to become the first lawyer in her family.
Recruitment for the next group of students will start in February. For more information go to www.utoledo.edu/success/excel for details.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-05-25 13:22:43 GMT
While the month isn't over, we are on pace to have one of the driest Mays on record. The driest May on record was back in 1881 when only 0.45" of rain fell. So far May of 2013 has only recorded 0.63" of
May 2013 could come close to a record for the driest on record.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:09 AM EDT2013-05-25 09:09:30 GMT
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Friday, May 24 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:03:53 GMT
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:51:06 GMT
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:56:34 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:09 AM EDT2013-05-25 09:09:30 GMT
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Friday, May 24 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:03:53 GMT
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:51:06 GMT
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:56:34 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:16:18 GMT
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him. Officials say
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:04:46 GMT
There are new details in the cat killing controversy in Stryker that we first told you about in March. Stryker Police Chief Steve Schlosser pleaded no contest to animal cruelty in Bryan Municipal Court
A judge found Chief Steve Schlosser guilty and sentenced him to pay a $500 fine, plus court costs. It all stems from a stray cat killing controversy 13abc first reported in March.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:27:22 GMT
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible,
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible, as well as the vehicle they were driving.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:04:26 GMT
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachery White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20. If
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachary White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:56:32 GMT
Friday is a sad anniversary in Monroe, Michigan. Four years after 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen alive, the investigation into her murder continues. Signs of heartache across Monroe are still
Today is a sad anniversary in Monroe, Michigan. Four years after 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen alive, the investigation into her murder continues.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:53:45 GMT
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with an agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started,
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with this agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started, board president Ron Rothenbuhler made a statement that in lieu of terminations, he wants the Lucas County Human Resources Department to work toward positive solutions to issues.