For the majority of the sixth-graders from Woodridge Elementary School in North Highlands Friday, Sacramento State was their first trip to a college campus.

“We’re here at the college to plant the seed of going to college in the kids’ head early. I want them to see college life and to experience what people are doing on campus and what’s available for them,” said Justin Newcome, a teacher from Woodridge who is giving his class tours of Northern California colleges.

Newcome said he plans to take his class later in the year to UC Davis and UC Berkeley.

As they were let loose in the art gallery, the children wandered around looking at what they called the “weird” art.

“I like seeing all the new stuff here at the gallery that I never thought I would see before,” said Adriana Lopez, a student in Newcome’s class.

The class had just been to the University Union where they got chance to see the State Hornet newsroom, the Mellow Me Out salon and games room.

“I think this school is awesome. The favorite thing I saw was the game room,” said student Jaetuan Hall.

When asked what they liked so far about the campus, almost simultaneously all the children shouted out, “the game room.” The students were excited about what they saw in the Union and were ready to continue with their exploration. The next stop would be Hornet Stadium.

“We went to the student Union and I think it just blew them away. They thought the game room was really cool and they liked the way the students are treated here,” Newcome said. “They’re really enjoying the art and enjoying being here with the college students.” Student activities is what attracted the sixth graders the most but what Newcome wants his class to take away from the tour is much deeper.

“We’re going to compare the colleges and write letters back to the colleges,” Newcome said. “This is the first step to get them thinking about college and hopefully this will get the kids exited about college and make them want to come in the future.”

With familiar restaurants like Burger King located inside the food court, it came in at a strong second place as a favorite place among the students.

“The food gallery was my favorite because there was a lot of food I like there,” said student Taijahnea Manahan. Despite the temptation, she said plans on eating healthy food when she goes to college. As the class photographer and mother of a Woodridge student, Mary Jean Anderson was taking pictures of the library and the art in the gallery for the children to use later.

“They’re going to make a DVD of all the pictures and do something online with them to show and get the idea of what college life is about,” Anderson said.

Gina Cruz can be reached at [email protected].