Webinar for College-Bound Student-Athletes

 

Student-athletes are encouraged to join the NCAA Eligibility Center on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time for their  webinar for college-bound student-athletes and their families. Students will learn about the latest initial-eligibility news, requirements they must meet to be ready when they get to campus, and the best resources for them as they pursue their dreams of studying and competing at an NCAA Division I or II school. Please share this link with your student-athletes and encourage them to attend this important event.

Student-Athlete Webinar Registration

Guidance on college decisions and paying for college

With college applications wrapping up, it's time for students to start thinking about how they will narrow down their college choice and their plan to pay for college. These tools can help your students navigate these big decisions.

• With the FAFSA^® Complete, Get Ready for Your Next Financial Aid Steps: What comes next after completing the FAFSA? Share this article to help your families prepare for next steps in the financial aid process.
• My College Plan: Students can use this Real Simple Smart Money Award¹ winning tool from Discover^® Student Loans to compare college costs, majors and potential salaries to calculate their college investment.
• Discover Student Loans Scholarship Sweepstakes: There's still time for students and parents to enter for a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship to help cover college expenses. It's quick and easy to complete and there is no essay requirement! See Official Rules for details.² 

We hope you find these resources helpful and encourage you to visit CollegeCovered.com for more tips to share with your students and families. Please forward this message to any colleagues who would also find these resources useful.

SECU HS People Helping People Scholarship

 

SECU Foundation established the “People Helping People®” scholarship program to assist students across North Carolina with their educational goals. Since being established, the “People Helping People” scholarship program represents an annual commitment of over $5 million, with a collective total of over $76 million since the initial scholarship funding began in 2005.

SECU Foundation established the People Helping People four-year scholarship program to help North Carolina public high school students attend college. Each of the 115 North Carolina Local Education Agencies (LEAs)/School Districts will receive a minimum of one scholarship valued at $10,000 payable at $1,250 for up to eight consecutive semesters for a senior to attend one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina System.

Recipients of the scholarship will be selected by the LEA Scholarship Selection Committee provided they meet all eligibility criteria. Scholarship recipient information must be submitted by the Scholarship Selection Committee at each LEA. No individual applications are reviewed by the Foundation. Speak with your high school guidance counselor for more information about applying, requirements, and deadlines.

$10,000 High School Scholarship – At A Glance »

High School Eligibility Criteria »

2021 High School Scholarship Recipients »

https://www.ncsecufoundation.org/Projects/Scholarships.html

• 2022 NC OCS PHP Eligibility Criteria
• 2022 NC OCS PHP Consent Form
• 2022 NC OCS PHP Application

Social Skills Support Group

 Relationships are an integral part of our daily lives. Starting, developing, maintaining, and repairing meaningful and healthy relationships with others is possibly one of the most important yet underappreciated set of skills that we can develop and utilize over the course of our lives. Such important skills include, but are not limited to, active listening, conflict resolution, effective communication, non-verbal communication, assertiveness, perspective-taking, and reflective apologizing. Further development and/or honing of these skills, widely known as social skills, is most likely one of the best ways to improve our relationships with others. 

Beginning in January, Voyager Academy is excited to be able to offer  9-12th grade students an opportunity to participate in a Social Skills group after school! If you are interested in having your child participate, please contact Dr. Monique Link, School Social Worker, to enroll or for more information. The respective flyers are provided below.

US Army ROTC Resources

 

The 2022 National High School Scholarship campaign kicked off on June 12th and will continue through March 4, 2022. Army ROTC scholarships are available and students can begin their applications now.

Army ROTC provides full tuition and fees (or $10K for room and board) scholarships to over 2000 high school students each year. They intend to continue to sustain that same level of commitment into 2022. In addition to the tuition and fees, the scholarship pays $1200 annually for books and a stipend of $420 per months (for up to 10 months a year.) Below are several resources for interested students. One is the Army ROTC overview. It explains, in general terms, the basic eligibility and benefits for the program. The other two items are a resource that are useful for students who are preparing for college and taking the ACT/SAT. These tools provide a great way for students to use their spare time to improve test scores. All are easily downloaded by clicking the links below. Army ROTC Information March 2 Success Program

Durham Soil and Water Conservation District are actively recruiting middle and high schools students to compete in the 2022 Envirothon Competition.

Durham Soil and Water Conservation District are actively recruiting middle and high schools students to compete in the 2022 Envirothon Competition.

The Durham Soil and Water Conservation District is actively recruiting middle and high school students to compete in the 2022 Envirothon Competition. Five-member teams will train throughout the year.  In March, they will compete at the Area IV Envirothon competition where they will hear from natural resource professionals. Teams will take written tests on subject resources. The seven highest-scoring teams in each Area competition get an opportunity to advance to the State Envirothon competition that is held near Burlington in April. Teams have the choice to camp out at the state event and have fun while learning. The highest-scoring high school team at the state event advances on to the National Envirothon competition. This event is held in different states and Canadian provinces. The top-scoring high school FFA team competes at a national FFA event. If your school is interested in learning more about the Envirothon or forming a team, please contact Lisa Marochak or Kyleene Rooks at 919-560-0558.

 

The Envirothon is a five-member team, hands-on, environmental science education program. It is a fun-filled, back-to-nature, competitive event where the team members learn about their environment and current environmental issues. The Envirothon is the largest high school environmental competition in the US. It is geared to make the students aware of environmental conditions and start thinking responsibly about their environment and the natural world. North Carolina also has a Middle School Envirothon Program to go with the High School Envirothon. However, at the national level, only the high school participates. The Envirothon revolves around five subject areas. Wildlife - challenges teams on habitats, identification, foods, rules & regulations, diseases, animal signs, and management; Aquatics- aquatic ecology, stream ecology, water quality, aquatic plants & animals, pollution, wetlands, BMPs, groundwater, stormwater, and macroinvertebrates; Forestry- tree identifications, plant physiology, forest ecology, forest insects & diseases, forest management, and forest measurements; Soils- classifications, formation, erosion, soil surveys, site suitability, land use, soil characteristics, BMPs, conservation practices; and Current Environmental Issues- current and newsworthy environmental problems are explored through the newspaper, magazine, and internet articles.

 

Click here to view the Durham SWCD Envirothon video

NC Envirothon (google.com)

 

 

LISA MAROCHAK  |  SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

NC Certified Environmental Educator

 

201 E Main Street; Fl. 5
Durham, North Carolina 27701

Office (919) 560-0558  |   Cell (984) 260-5757   |   Fax (919) 328-6193

lmarochak@dconc.gov

http://www.dconc.gov/swcd

Helping Students Find Their Path in Life

 Four years can fly by in a hurry and keeping students on track and motivated to succeed is crucial. Check out these guides full of advice, checklists, and other resources for students at each grade level to help them meet key milestones.

Check out the grade level eBook Guides below to help make the most of your career planning each year! 

9-12 Grade ebooks

How to find your path in life.

It’s never too early to think about your direction in life. Think about what you do well, what you enjoy doing, and how your interests and goals compare those needed in a career. Use these valuable tips to help discover your interests.

• Volunteer for a local nonprofit group or volunteer organization, especially one that looks interesting to you. 
• Interview adults in your life about their careers and what they like best about them. 
• Job shadow at a business that sounds interesting to you. 
• Set up regular meetings with your school counselor to learn more about career options. 
• Find a mentor, or person you trust with knowledge and experience, who can help you figure out your career.

Chick-fil-A on Roxboro Road is hosting a “Career Day”

 

Find $$$ for college

 

Scholarships can be a huge help to college-bound students and their families, but many don’t know where to find them, or how to apply. During this live virtual event students and families will learn key tips on applying for scholarships, how to create a winning scholarship essay, and more.

Students and families can register for a free virtual event to learn more. Please see the the information below:

Register now for a free virtual event: Scholarships: Finding Free Money for College

Wednesday, November 3 | 7pm ET Register Now    Thursday, November 4 | 8pm ET Register Now

Space is limited, so please register early!

Our free Scholarship Search connects students to scholarship opportunities based on their hobbies and interests. The database now has over 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion in free money for college. Plus, when students register, they can enter for a chance to win our monthly sweepstakes.¹ Please share the event details, as well as the scholarship information, with your students and families. Thanks for all you do to make college happen! Sincerely, Sallie Mae School Assist Team

Triangle Virtual Scholarship Night Wednesday, November 3 6-8pm

 

Attendees will learn about scholarships available to high school seniors, adult learners, and DACA/undocumented students and have a chance to ask questions about applications, the selection process, and scholarships generally. Each provider will also be available to answer questions about their specific scholarships, and all registered attendees will receive a follow-up email with contact information, websites, and more details for each scholarship. Click the graphic or button below to register!

REGISTER

Free virtual event for students and their parents October 30!

 

Planning for the next step on your journey can be overwhelming. You might not know where to go or how to start. And that’s okay. It’s important to remember that while everyone’s journey to college and career follows a unique path, there are things you can do to make the best decisions about your future.

Join us for this free virtual event to learn from experts how to prepare for college and career—from finding scholarships to transitioning to life on campus, we’re here to help guide you along the way.

                         Registration closes on Friday, October 29 at 9:00 a.m., CT.

Register and find out more information here.

 

Extra Help: College Admissions

Helping parents get their teen to college

CHECK IN Make Sense of Early Admissions In the world of competitive admissions, applicants are always looking for an edge. Applying to college early can offer an admissions advantage over waiting until the regular decision round. But early action and early decision admissions options aren't the best choices for everyone. Learn more about whether or not your student should consider applying to college early. UNDERSTANDING EARLY ADMISSIONS 10 Colleges Where Early Applicants Have an Edge Early applicants have a major advantage at some schools. Check out these 10 colleges where applying early gave students an admissions boost in fall 2020, per data shared with U.S. News. 3 Reasons to Skip Applying to College Early Admissions advantages aside, applying to college early isn't for everyone. Procrastination, indecisiveness and financial aid are factors to consider when deciding to apply early or not. What Happens to Students Who Back Out of Early Decision Offers Getting into college via the early decision route typically comes with a commitment to enroll at that school. Backing out of that commitment may come with consequences. Regroup After an Early Admission College Rejection Despite some advantages, applying via early decision or early action isn't a slam dunk. Learn how your teen can rebound if he or she doesn't get accepted via the early admissions route. FIND YOUR SCHOOL Try the My Fit Custom College Ranking Enter your preferences and profile information here, and we'll show you a personalized ranking of which schools are the best fit for you. You can also sign in to your free U.S. News account to see how you stack up against applicants across the country with our College Admissions Calculator.

Virtual College Fair November 4, 2021

 

Statewide College Virtual Fair

Hello Student & Parents,

We would like to bring to your attention this great opportunity. On NOVEMBER 4, there will be a statewide college virtual fair. This event is NOT a zoom call but a special virtual college fair that uses advanced technology to replicate an in-person event. Please find below a link to the event page as well as more information on the event. I highly recommend you to attend.

Youth Voices Contest Guidelines

 

You(th) Matter invites you to express your views on the relationship between policing and democracy, in a NATIONAL COMPETITION to win CASH PRIZES. We want to hear from you! 

​

The Youth Voices contest will showcase youth WRITING, FILM, and ARTWORK from communities nationwide.

THIS YEARS PROMPT:

​

What is the role of policing in fostering democracy “by the people, for the people”?

• Each Winner will receive $1,000

• Each Runner up will receive $500

• Each Second Runner Up will receive $250

Find out More HERE

​

Governor's School of North Carolina

 

The Governor's School of North Carolina is a multi-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and it does not involve credit, tests, or grades. Students are selected to attend through a competitive process after being nominated by their public school unit or non-public school. Current Juniors at VAHS may apply for the Summer 2022 Program. 

Promotional Video

Get a quick overview of the North Carolina Governor's School for 2022 with this video 

The North Carolina Governor's School is the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students. The program, which is open to rising seniors only, with exceptions made for rising juniors in selected performing/visual arts areas, is located on two campuses of up to 335 students each. The program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education. A Board of Governors, appointed by the State Board of Education, acts as an advisory body.

Read more below. Contact any VAHS teacher or Jill O'Kane for more information about how to apply.   

Governor's School FAQ

Counselor Mini Workshop for Parents #12

 

         Don't Make College Decisions Based on Sticker Price!

Sticker price means nothing in the financial aid process. After considering financial aid, it is likely you can pay less at an expensive out-of-state or private school than you would pay at your local state school. Yet, too many parents only consider the price tag and eliminate expensive schools as an option without considering the financial aid available. Let us help!

The HEFAR Group is a non-profit company with a mission to help make college more affordable for everyone. As one of the top college funding advisors in the country, we know every loophole available to help you get more free money for college. Click above to view this week’s Financial Aid Mini Workshop. If you like the information in our Financial Aid Mini Workshop, click below to view our full-hour recorded webinar, Beat the High Cost of College! You can also Click Here to see what others are saying about The HEFAR Group.

New Scholarship Opportunity for Students (Grade 9 -12)

Cirkled In  is offering a $2500 scholarship grant for High School students (Grades 9 -12).

This is a quarterly scholarship of $2,500 that is super easy to apply with No GPA requirements, No minimum income requirements, and no essays to write.

 

This new scholarship will run October 1^st  – December 31^st  2021 with winner notification by February 15^th 2022. Students can apply for free at (www.cirkledin.com/scholarships).

 

“No Sweat” Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Number of awards: 1

Due Date: December 31^st  2021

Application URL:https://www.cirkledin.com/scholarships/

Application Process: Apply on the above URL. Free application.

 

Easy Application

Need-Based: NO

Minimum GPA required: NO

Essay Required: NO

Award sent to Direct to Student

 

If you would like to learn why thousands of new students are signing up on Cirkled In every day to showcase themselves for all college and career applications, please connect with us. We would love to send you some information on how Cirkled In helps with your college and career readiness program and makes students successful.