Maybe it was a matter of numbers, or perhaps high school students feel more comfortable when they’re among their friends and without parents, but, whatever the reasons, Vets High School’s first college fair held Thursday in the school gym was a success.

The numbers – in terms of institutions represented – was impressive. Vets director of guidance Sherry Silven said she invited about 75 institutions offering two- and four-year degrees and 61 participated.

Traditionally, Silven said, college representatives would visit the school singly.

“We had representatives come in but the students didn’t take advantage,” she said.

Silven had seen other high schools conduct college fairs – Hendricken traditionally does one – and she believed students would become more engaged in exploring higher education opportunities if Vets conducted its own fair. Students visited the fair in waves, with juniors followed by seniors.

Institutions were provided tables and students could move from one college to the next, picking up literature and asking questions, as if walking a buffet line. Each group of students had about 90 minutes to explore all the opportunities before returning to their daily class schedule.

Jessica Tyree and Joshua Greenwood were especially interested in Quinnipiac College. College admissions representative Carla Knowlton was eager to assist. As the two looked over pamphlets and Knowlton answered questions, friends wandered over and the group grew. It all seemed to work that way. Once one or more students had broken the ice, others joined in.

Knowlton, like many of the college representatives in attendance, participates in numerous fairs. She gave the Vets fair a high rating. Students were interested and there were a lot of them, she said. Silven had also thought the idea would also make it easy for the college representatives.

Aware that a college fair was being held that morning at Attleboro High School, she timed the Vets event so the colleges could cover both events without having to make another trip to the region. In addition to colleges, recruiters for the military were present to speak about their alternatives.

Silven has worked in the school system for 29 years, the last five being at Vets. She credited her secretary, Becky Grenkiewicz, with being a great help.

Given the reception of the initial fair, Silven is thinking of doing it again next year. She’s thinking of again timing it with other college fairs and possibly holding it in the evening so parents could also attend.