On Sept. 24, 2025, Verrado High School juniors and seniors traded their usual Wednesday routine for an early morning bus ride up north. After two hours on the road, students arrived at Northern Arizona University (NAU), where they spent the day touring the campus and exploring what the school has to offer.

Founded in 1899, NAU began as a single-building teachers’ college and has since grown into one of Arizona’s top public universities. The campus is home to more than 300 clubs and organizations, ranging from sports and cultural activities to academic and interest-based groups. NAU is also recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with nearly half of its student body made up of first-generation college students.

One of the highlights for students was learning about NAU’s affordability. Scholarships based on GPA range from $2,500 to $11,000, and tuition sits at $12,096 per year before expenses. Combined with federal aid opportunities through FAFSA, NAU markets itself as one of Arizona’s most accessible higher education options. For Verrado students, many of whom are beginning their college search, this was a big draw.

The tour kicked off with a stop at the campus bookstore, where rows of navy-and-gold merchandise caught students’ attention. From hoodies and T-shirts to sweatpants and even baby onesies, the store buzzed with school spirit. Students could picture themselves — or future siblings — decked out as Lumberjacks.

Next on the agenda was a visit to the Nursing Program Building. Although certain areas were closed to visitors, Verrado students got a glimpse of the facilities and had the chance to explore the Student Recreation Center. The Rec Center impressed with its rock climbing wall, weight rooms, and wellness spaces — all designed to help students recharge after a long day of classes.

Later, the group made their way to Old Main, NAU’s original building, which dates back to the university’s founding. Standing in front of the historic red-brick structure, students learned how the school grew from its humble beginnings to today’s sprawling campus with thousands of students from across the country.

The trip wasn’t just about seeing the buildings, though — it was also about imagining the future. Several alumni from Verrado currently attend NAU, and their stories of student life gave current juniors and seniors a personal perspective on what it means to become a Lumberjack. This brought some ideas to our Vipers who were taking a tour of this beautiful school. With all the benefits of tuition, cold weather, and more, this place did not disappoint it’s charm to students, giving them ideas of where they should attend the rest of their school life at.

By the end of the visit, students had not only braved the cooler Flagstaff weather but also walked away with a better sense of what NAU could offer them academically, socially, and financially. For many upperclassmen, the trip was the first step in picturing life after high school. Truly this was a big movement in many of the students lives. If you are interested in taking a tour of NAU talk to our Career and College Specialist, Mrs. Cynthia Smith.