By Craig Anderson

DOVER — They met for an hour or so Friday and the conversation was still going strong at the end.

Students had plenty to say about life at Delaware State University.

The eight visitors from New York City peppered several college kids with questions too.

The gathering was part of the Avenues for Justice youth crime prevention organization’s effort to aid 13- to 24-year-olds in the criminal justice system or living in at-risk communities.

Michael Thomas, who lives in the Harlem neighborhood, asked students several questions and said “I feel like it was very interesting and it showed a lot of things you can learn after moving on from the childish things of high school and preparing yourself to be the grown person you should be.

“I learned from them that when you surround yourself with positive people, you get positive things that come your way.”

And about Delaware State University, Mr. Thomas said. “I think I might make an application when it’s time. I like it.”

From the second-floor meeting room at the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center, college freshman Jared Hayes, of Middletown, said “I feel that it’s important to make sure that we’re open to the community and sharing all the positive vibes on our campus.

“It’s nice to hear the questions because not everyone knows what goes on at a college campus.”

The visitors were treated to lunch upon their early afternoon arrival from the city and were given a tour of campus after the question-and-answer session.

Avenues for Justice director of court advocacy Gamal Willis said university representatives proved to be good hosts for the guests who were ages 17 to 21.

“I think it was an outstanding setup we had here,” Mr. Willis said. “Our young people were able to get thoughts from the student panel about university life. So I thought that was amazing.”

Mr. Willis exuded optimism about what the future could bring for the Avenues for Justice participants he traveled with.

“We try to give them exposure to things just like this,” he said. “With the questions they were asking and how they were looking, I think they were very impressed and this is an option for each and every one of them.”

Avenues for Justice, which has operated for 45 years, serves around 500 participants per year. For information, visit avenuesforjustice.org.