BANGOR – Colleen Grover, dean of students at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, announced recently that the highly rated Making High School Count program was presented to the school’s incoming freshman class. The one-hour, assembly-style presentation was delivered free to students and parents Sept. 6.

Making High School Count is designed to help students understand the importance of high school and what they need to accomplish to maximize their opportunities upon graduation. The program also addresses transitional issues such as time management and study skills.

“Entry into high school and college are key transition periods in a student’s academic career,” said JR Cifani, vice president of Monster’s Making It Count Programs. “Our goal is to provide and reinforce the positive messages counselors and teachers are giving to their students during these crucial times and help students understand that anyone can be successful if they choose to be.”

As Grover explained recently, “This presentation is one of a series of four offered in the Making It Count program. The other three presentations focus on college students. Here at Bapst, the students are encouraged to make the most out of their high school years, and this program will supplement those positive messages. Anything we can do to help our students succeed in life, not only here in high school but also beyond, is worth our commitment and time.”

John Bapst mathematics teacher Liese Wood had some firsthand experience with the program when her daughter entered college. As a result, Wood recommended the high school presentation for John Bapst freshmen.

She explained, “The presenter might have said all the same things the parents had been saying for four years, but young people don’t always listen to their parents. The same advice was presented in a way that was not only informative but also fun and inspiring, so it made an even bigger impact on the students.”