Cheerleaders, red and white balloons and nearly 6,000 screaming sixth-graders filled the Hunstman Center Thursday afternoon.

The elementary students visited campus as part of the Bennion Community Service Center’s Project Youth, now in its 13th year.

“Besides instilling the desire for higher education, Project Youth encourages the pursuit of dreams and helps kids envision a bigger picture for their lives,” said AnnMarie Allen, project coordinator and former senior class president and student body presidential hopeful.

More than 2,000 of the students came from Title One schools in Salt Lake City, which have large percentages of children from lower-income families. They toured the U, looking at different classes and programs on campus.

“We went to the ballet and then to the theatre,” said Justin Fracchia, 12, a member of Pat Tucker’s class at West Valley Elementary. “I want to come to the U for my first year, and then go to a college in Hawaii. I want to be a marine biologist.”

Jasmin Troncoso, 12, a student in Barb Curtis’ class at Lincoln Elementary, enjoyed the campus.

“It’s a lot of fun here, I want to come here after I graduate from high school,” she said. “I really want to play for the WNBA.”

U students, along with members of the athletics department, volunteered to walk with the students around campus and seat them at the School Is Cool Jam at the Huntsman Center.

“I love kids, and I love being involved,” said second-year participant Jay Hart, communication senior and the student body president’s chief of staff. “I hope these kids realize they can go to college, and that it’s fun.”