When Mazama High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon, hosts its college application completion event each fall, the goal extends well beyond helping seniors submit applications. The event is designed to ensure every student — regardless of background or circumstance — has the support, resources, and encouragement needed to take the next step toward their future.
That commitment to expanding postsecondary opportunities has earned Mazama High School recognition as an ACT American College Application Campaign (ACAC) School of Excellence, one of only 26 schools nationwide selected for this honor. The award recognizes schools that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to helping students — particularly first-generation college students and those from under-resourced communities — navigate the college application process and pursue education beyond high school.
At the heart of Mazama's success is a simple philosophy: access and opportunity matter.
For many students, completing a college application can feel intimidating. Some are the first in their family to apply to college. Others may not have consistent support at home or simply need dedicated time during the school day to focus on the process.
Mazama's annual college application completion event addresses those challenges by bringing the entire process onto campus.
"We host a college application completion event at Mazama because access and opportunity matter — and not all students have the same starting point," explained Mazama High School Vice Principal Sergio Cisneros.
During the event, students use school-provided computers and receive application fee waiver assistance, as well as real-time guidance from counselors, teachers, and administrators as they complete applications.
Rather than leaving an important milestone to chance, the school intentionally creates an environment where every senior has the resources needed to succeed.
While the logistics are important, school leaders say the event's greatest impact comes from the culture it has created.
"When I think about our college application completion events at Mazama, I'm most proud of two things: the culture we've built and the access we’ve provided," Cisneros said.
That collective momentum helps normalize the application process and encourages students who may have otherwise questioned whether college was within reach.
For first-generation applicants especially, seeing classmates participate builds confidence and reinforces that postsecondary education — whether through a four-year university, community college, technical program, apprenticeship, or certificate — is an attainable option for them.
For some students, applying to college feels expected. For others — especially first-generation students or those from underrepresented backgrounds — college may feel out of reach or may not seem like an option at all.
When students ask why they should apply, Cisneros focuses on possibility. “It’s not about committing to one path — it’s about keeping doors open,” he said. “Applying to college gives you options.” Whether a student is considering a four-year university, community college, technical program, or certificate pathway, submitting an application creates opportunity and preserves the ability to choose later.
College can also offer benefits beyond earning a degree, from building skills and networks to gaining exposure to new ideas and experiences. For many students, especially those who are first in their families to pursue education after high school, applying is a meaningful step toward pursuing their dreams through higher education pathways.
Cisneros adds, “But I also emphasize that college isn’t one-size-fits-all. The goal isn’t simply enrollment — it’s finding the right next step. Applying is part of exploring that next step thoughtfully and intentionally. At Mazama, we encourage students to apply because we want them to graduate with choices, confidence, and a clear sense that their future is something they get to shape — not something that happens to them. Applying also represents a powerful statement to these students. It says: I belong in these spaces.”
Mazama's event is intentionally designed around equity.
By hosting the event during the school day, every senior has equal access to technology, trusted adults, application fee waiver information, and application support. Staff members also anticipate common challenges, from transcript requests and FAFSA questions to login issues, so students can focus on submitting their applications instead of navigating obstacles.
"We make sure every senior has a real opportunity to apply, not just the students who already know how to navigate the process," Cisneros said. "We take the guesswork out of the process and replace it with guidance and encouragement."
The result is a school community committed to positioning every graduate for postsecondary success.
"Completing a college application keeps doors open," Cisneros said. "At Mazama, we want every student to have as many doors open as possible."
For educators interested in launching their own college application completion event, Cisneros emphasizes that success doesn't require an elaborate program.
His advice begins with thoughtful planning. “Keep it simple, make it structured, and make it inclusive," he said.
He recommends identifying dedicated time during the school day, ensuring students have devices available to them, and preparing counselors, teachers, administrators, and support staff to assist throughout the event.
Building a team is equally important.
"This shouldn't fall only on your counseling department," Cisneros said. "When students see the whole building invested, it reinforces that this is important."
He also encourages schools to anticipate barriers before students encounter them by preparing fee waivers, transcript resources, FAFSA support, and solutions for common technology issues.
Finally, celebrate every application submitted.
Whether it's ringing a bell, taking a photo, handing out a sticker, or simply recognizing students' accomplishments, these moments reinforce to students that applying to college is a milestone worth recognizing and celebrating.
"You don't need a perfect event to start; you just need a commitment to helping students take the next step," Cisneros said. "The impact grows each year."
This fall, there are multiple ways you can join Mazama High School and the other 9,000 high schools across the country in supporting students as they apply to college.
Mazama High School's recognition as an ACT American College Application Campaign School of Excellence reflects the school's unwavering commitment to helping students graduate with clearer pathways to education, training, and careers after high school. By building a culture centered on support, equity, and possibility, Mazama is helping students confidently take one of the most important steps toward achieving their future goals.