FAIRFIELD — When it was time for Sue Nitz's and Bessie Goldschmidt's older children to go to college, they buckled down and spent months researching every aspect of their venture.

        Then, seeing others grow frustrated and overwhelmed with the process while stumbling through a maze of information, the Fairfield residents decided to help pave the way. They pooled their knowledge and research results, sought the help of experts in various fields, and held a free college planning expo, “Reaching for the Future.”

        The mission: to work with Fairfield City Schools to help provide the knowledge students and parents need to prepare for college.

        “We wanted to open up the doors and help kids find a way to get into college, to see that there are so many options out there,” said Mrs. Goldschmidt, whose younger daughter, Jessica, is a sophomore at Fairfield High School, as is Mrs. Nitz's son, Steven.

        They got strong support from Fairfield schools, then sent personal invitations to all 3,500 district students in grades 8-12. Nearly 1,000 parents and students attended the first expo in November 2001, at Fairfield High School. It featured sessions with speakers from colleges and universities with topics ranging from the college application process, to financial assistance and SAT testing, Mrs. Nitz said.

        The friends spent months working on the project, donating every hour.

        But volunteering is nothing new to this duo. They met in the early 1990s through the Parents and Teachers for Children (PTC) organization. They've worked on many school levies together, and say volunteering is a top priority.

        Mrs. Goldschmidt is also on the executive committee of the City of Fairfield Insight 2010, and on Butler County United Way's leadership committee. Mrs. Nitz has spent eight years as general manager, then chairwoman of Fairfield Indian Summer Days. She was co-chairperson of the Millennium Committee.

        The women have committed to two more expos. This year's will be 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 9 at Fairfield High School.

        “It was wonderful,” said Debbie Stepp of Fairfield, whose son, Nathan, is a sophomore.

       Do you know a Hometown Hero — someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place to live and helping others? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net or fax to 513-755-4150.
       

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