A group of high school seniors crowded into an operating room Tuesday, asking questions of the people working there and watching as excess blood was sucked away through tubes. Fortunately the surgery patient was only a piece of equipment at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, the blood was Jell-O, and the students were there to get a look at college life.

More than 600 area high school students were on the Rome campus throughout the day Tuesday, milling from classroom to classroom, experiencing most of the programs that GNTC students experience every day.

David McBurnett, director of student affairs, said this is the first time the college has ever held this type of tour, in which potential college students were allowed to roam the campus, visit classrooms and labs, and ask questions of the people busy at work there.

Allison Tsatsa and Seth Adams, GNTC students, demonstrated how carpal tunnel surgery works while a group of wide-eyed students looked on. Adams explained how each and every surgery is different, even if you’ve been there several times before. He also told students that once you’ve scrubbed in, your hands have to stay off your body and between your hips and chest.

“My nose has been running this whole time, but I’ve just learned to ignore it. You get used to it,” said Adams.

Elsewhere, instructors and students were explaining the ins and outs of ultrasound, X-ray and respiratory technology, as well as showing students the tools used to solve crime and fight fires.

McBurnett told students that GNTC offers more than 200 programs, and thanks to the HOPE Grant, most of the students who visited the college Tuesday could attend there for free.

“You cannot have a good house or a nice car without a good job. And our graduates make good money,” he told the students before turning them loose to tour the campus. “If there is something you want to do and we don’t offer it, then we need to talk.”

Current GNTC marketing student Ron Morris told the high school students about his experience at the college versus another school he first attended. He said the college offers enough options that he can work during the day and attend class in the evening.

“That’s really cool, how they work around your schedule,” he said.

College President Craig McDaniel said the event will help build the future of the campus, and he’s eager to see some of the students who visited as guests return as GNTC students.

“Many of the over 600 students who visited our campus today will end up choosing one of our over 200 programs as a career. Our future as a college depends on getting these students to think about technical education and their future lies in their ability to make the right choice,” said McDaniel.