PHOTO GALLERY: Students graduate Summer Expeditions

June 22, 2012 | 5:19 p.m. CDT

Summer Expeditions, a program which encourages the pursuit of higher education in "high-risk" students, celebrated the graduation of its summer program Friday afternoon at Columbia College's Atkins-Holman Student Commons. Approximately 20 students graduated from the program.

Approximately 20 students graduate from Summer Expeditions on Friday afternoon at Columbia College's Atkins-Holman Student Commons. The program gives 'high-risk' students a chance to be in a college classroom at a young age and teaches students in late elementary and early middle school what it means to "own your education" instead of simply being taught. | Carrie Durkee

McKenna Wells, left, and Sarah Higgins give a graduation speech entitled "Owning Your Education" to their Summer Expeditions classmates Friday at Columbia College. | Carrie Durkee

Molly Taylor, right, helps Terry Smith put on his hood during his commencement speech about where academic regalia originated from Friday at Columbia College. For two weeks, older elementary and middle school students experience what it is like to be in a college classroom through the Summer Expeditions program.
| Carrie Durkee

Terry Smith, left, hands Myia Ramos, 10, a certificate of completion for the Summer Expeditions program Friday at Columbia College's Atkins-Holman Student Commons. The program recognizes children that are at "high risk" or are typically overlooked and help them reach for higher educational goals. | Carrie Durkee