Crafton Hills College Welcomes 500+ Students for Annual High School Senior Day Event

Publish Date: April 17, 2026

Crafton Hills College hosted its annual Senior Day on Friday, April 17, welcoming over 500 high school students from across the region for a day of campus exploration and program engagement.

This year’s event, themed “Palm Trees and Possibilities,” featured a beach-inspired atmosphere that students themselves nicknamed “Craftonchella,” reflecting the energy and campus-wide participation throughout the day.

Students attended from Redlands East Valley, Redlands High School, Citrus Valley, Orangewood, The Grove, Banning, Yucaipa, Oak View, Green Valley, Mojave River Academy, and Rim of the World. The event was designed to introduce prospective students to academic and career pathways while allowing them to experience campus life in a flexible, self-guided format.

Throughout the day, students participated in presentations highlighting key programs, including Nursing, Fire Technology, Radiology, and Emergency Medical Services. A resource fair provided opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and student support programs, while additional activities across campus encouraged exploration and informal engagement.

A new addition this year was the introduction of Crafton 101 in Spanish. The session expanded access to information for Spanish-speaking students and families and reflects the college’s ongoing efforts to better serve its diverse community.

Dean of Student Services and Student Development Willie Blackmon, Ed.D., emphasized the importance of creating an environment where students can both access information and feel a sense of belonging.

“In Outreach, we strive to center how students feel by creating an experience,” Blackmon said. “We provide them with information about Crafton and allow them to choose their own journey. Even if a student spends time in the quad and ultimately decides that Crafton is the right place for them, that’s a success.”

All scheduled sessions reached capacity, and the event saw strong participation across all activities. Faculty, staff, and campus partners supported the event by assisting with programming, logistics, and student engagement throughout the day.

Senior Day remains a key outreach effort for Crafton Hills College, aimed at supporting local high school students as they consider their postsecondary options.