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Largo High School is turning to soda giant Pepsi to fund the school's successful college preparation program, after funding cuts left the program fizzling out.

The school is among nearly 500 "ideas" the public can vote on through Tuesday in Pepsi Refresh Project's to receive one of two $250,000 grants in August.

Largo High would use the money to fully fund the school's College Summit program, part of a national program that works with schools and colleges to raise college enrollment rates and help create a college-bound culture at the school.

Largo High has scaled back the program for this school year because of a lack of funding, said Principal Angelique Simpson-Marcus.

"We're trying to make-do the best we can. We know College Summit works at our school. The data speaks for itself," Simpson-Marcus said. "It's critical to our school culture that we keep the program."

Of the school's 300-plus students in the Class of 2010, 96 percent applied to at least three colleges, Simpson-Marcus said. She did not know how many went to college. In 2009, more than 50 percent of the school's students enrolled in college.

Largo is entering its third year participating in the program, which was piloted at three Prince George's County schools during the 2005-2006 school year and had grown since.

In the 2009-2010 school year, 11 county schools had the program, said county schools spokesman Darrell Pressley. This year, besides Largo only three other schools — Surrattsville High School in Clinton, Crossland High School in Temple Hills and Forestville High School — have the program because of budget cuts.

Pressley said Largo may be paying out of school-based funds for the program's books, and Crossland also is paying for the program from school-based funds. Both Surrattsville and Forestville are looking at different options to fund their programs, said Pressley, who did not have details as to what those options are.

The Pepsi grant would sustain the program for one year, Simpson-Marcus said. If the school doesn't get the grant, the College Summit program will remain scaled down.

Tanya Washington, the school's 12th grade assistant principal, estimated the program cost the school $100,000 and has been scaled back to now cost about $20,000.

Only 60 seniors can participate in College Summit this year, compared with last year's participation of all 300-plus students in the senior class, and the program will have six College Summit peer leaders this year compared with 40 last school year, Simpson-Marcus said.

The program costs between $250 to $300 per student alone, which doesn't include the other costs associated with running the program, such as college visits, among other things, Simpson-Marcus said.

"College Summit is a big deal. We will find a way to implement the College Summit curriculum for all seniors," she said.

Washington applied for the grant in April after learning that the school's College Summit program would not receive funding from county schools.

People, businesses and nonprofit organizations with ideas that will have a positive impact can apply each month for a Pepsi Refresh Project grant, voted on by the public.

Largo High, whose rank fluctuates between 166 and 168, is among 1,224 ideas competing in August, according to Largo's page on the Pepsi Refresh Project website, and is among 499 ideas competing for the two $250,000 grants in August, said Adrienne Caruso, a spokeswoman for Pepsi.

If Largo receives the grant, Simpson-Marcus said, the money also would be used to reopen the county schools' financial aid and scholarship center which is house at Largo High.

The county schools' scholarship center closed in January because of a lack of funding for its $30,000 annual cost to operate.

The center was a free resource available to county students and parents and provided students information and workshops on scholarships, colleges and financial aid, services that are available via all of the county's high school professional counselors, said Tanzi West Barbour, a county schools spokeswoman.

Senior Marcus Watson, 17, of Clinton said he is excited to be one of the school's six College Summit peer leaders.

"I'm already having plans to have workshops during some [class] periods that will help the students get familiar with the college admissions process," Watson said. "There's more to it than filling out an application."

eskalski@gazette.net

To vote for Largo High School to win a Pepsi Refresh Project grant of $250,000 to sustain the school's College Summit program, visit www.pepsi.com, click on the Pepsi Refresh Project, search for "Largo SOS," view the video and vote.

Voting ends Tuesday.