Each year, Chesapeake College sponsors an Arts Contest, Social Science Fair, Occupational Skills Expo, and Regional College Night for the high school students in the college's five-county service area. The programs are designed to recognize the creative skills and academic achievements of the students and to establish the role of the college as a sponsoring agency in developing successful cooperative efforts promoting the arts, social sciences, and vocational education. The Arts Contest was established in 1975 with competition for cash prizes in visual arts, music, drama, and creative writing. The Social Science Fair, created in 1978, offers competition in such events as master quizzes, public speaking, scholastic series, simulated press conferences, essays, cartoons, and displays. The first annual Occupational Skills Expo was held in 1987, offering competition in 21 skill and 5 leadership categories. Business and industry donated most of the materials necessary for completing the events. Regional College Nights are held each fall to provide high school and college students and parents with the opportunity to meet with representatives of colleges, universities, proprietary schools, nursing schools, and the military all at one location. Cooperative planning for the event by high school counselors and the college begins in the spring and ends with a summative evaluation after the event. The first event was held in 1983. These cooperative efforts, which offer numerous benefits to the local high schools and community, have increased and improved the image of the school and its relations with area high schools and boards of education. (EJV)