West Valley encourages 'College Colors Day' Sept. 3

WEST VALLEY CITY — Teachers, office workers and other employees in West Valley City are being encouraged to support a push for higher education.

Sporting a black tie with red University of Utah logos, West Valley City Councilman Steve Vincent read a proclamation Tuesday declaring Sept. 3 as "College Colors Day" in the city. On that day, everyone is to wear their collegiate alma mater's colors and post logos or pennants. High school students are to wear colors of the college they admire and want to attend.

The proclamation states economists forecast 66 percent of the jobs in Utah in 2018 will require a bachelor's degree or higher. Further, unemployment rates are substantially lower — and salaries are higher — for workers with college degrees.

"It is in the best interest and well-being of our community that more students plan and prepare for college," the proclamation states.

West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder is working in conjunction with Hunter High School Principal Maile Loo and Granger High School Principal Jerry Haslam on the project.

"We encourage other activities to take place that day to celebrate the achievement of a college education and to encourage everyone, especially young people, to work towards a goal of achieving post-high school education," Winder said.

Derek Hughes of Atlanta, Ga., an organizer of National College Colors Day, said, "I think it is great what West Valley City is doing. It is a fun way to get high school students thinking more about going to college someday."

Go to www.collegecolorsday.com for national information.

— Amy K. Stewart