Wichita GEAR UP holds parent appreciation banquet [Video]

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A program helping kids in the Class of 2023 with college preparation in south Wichita is coming to an end.

A parent appreciation was held on Sunday for Wichita Southeast High School and Wichita South High School’s GEAR UP programs.

The GEAR UP program gives kids help with preparing to get into college, but parents of students say it made an even bigger impact.

“They opened the door for her to learn more about herself,” said Kawanda Ngassa, parent.

As one of the first grandkids in her family to go to college, Cordelia, Ngassa’s daughter, had big goals but not all the tools she needed to achieve them.

Wichita police: Woman arrested; victim identified in fatal hit-and-run

“They provided tutoring that she needed that extra help, that extra boost,” said Ngassa. “It helped a whole bunch cause I didn’t know how to do it.”

Tutoring is just one aspect of the program.

It follows one grade of kids, …