The Monroe City Schools GEAR UP program and the University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Education and Human Development will stage a "Mock" graduation for the class of 2018, from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, May 13.

This is the fourth annual event that offers more than 200 eighth-grade students from local middle schools the chance to walk across the stage of Brown Auditorium to "envision" their futures as college graduates.

The program will begin with a welcome by ULM President Dr. James Cofer in full regalia and feature musicians from the local schools.

GEAR UP is federally funded college awareness and readiness program that encourages young people to stay in school, study hard, and take the right courses to go to college.

The grant serves students attending Carroll Junior, Lee Junior, Martin Luther King, Carroll High, Neville High, and Wossman High Schools.

For more information on the GEAR UP program visit www.mcschools.net/site66.php.