Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER & OPPORTUNITY BULLETIN
The Final Countdown
We officially have 19 days until graduation- the day that you have all been awaiting. You have 19 WHOLE days to work your very hardest to put the finishing touch on 13 years of schooling. Now is not the time to put your foot on the gas and push yourself even harder.
There are several things that you all need to remember over the next few weeks. I will highlight them below for you (or your parents) to reference them when needed.
PAY YOUR FEES IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO DR. JONES.
If you have earned an Honors Diploma...
Mark It Down On Your Calendar
- TUESDAY, MAY 2nd, lunch - Cap, Gown & Tassel will be passed out
- TUESDAY, MAY 2nd, 11-4 - FAFSA Meetings on campus every 30 minutes
- SUNDAY, MAY 7th, 6 pm- Baccalaureate at Athens Middle School
- THURSDAY, MAY 11th, 7:30 am- Senior Breakfast in AHS Cafeteria
- THURSDAY, MAY 11th, 9:30 am- Senior Awards Day in New Gym
- FRIDAY, MAY 19th, 7 pm- Graduation
Graduation Countdown- Received at Senior Meeting 4.27.17
Senior Breakfast (school cafeteria)
Thursday, May 11 (Begins at 7:30 a.m.)
Seniors Only
Senior Awards Day* (new gym)
Thursday, May 11 (9:30 a.m.)
Parents & Guests Welcome
Baccalaureate* (AMS auditorium; organized by area churches)
Sunday, May 7 (6:00 p.m.)
Parents & Guests Welcome
Graduation Practices
Wednesday, May 10, 9:40 a.m. at the start of 2nd block, new gym- Awards Day Practice
Thursday, May 11, immediately following Awards Day
Friday, May 19, 10:00 a.m. at stadium MANDATORY
Graduation Golden Eagle Stadium*
Friday, May 19, 7:00 p.m.
(Seniors line up at 6:15 p.m. at the north end of the stadium. In case of rain the ceremony will take place in the new gym. Lineup will begin at 6:15 in the cafeteria.)
What to wear for Senior Breakfast, Awards Day, and Graduation:
(Must meet school dress code)
Boys: White shirt, dark tie
Dress shoes, dark socks
Dark slacks, belt
Girls: Simple dark dress or skirt that is shorter than gown
Dark dress shoes
Minimal jewelry
(If you do not have these articles of clothing, see Ms. Ramona Malone privately.)
· Store your gown with care. Put it on after you have arrived to keep it pressed and wrinkle-free. Girls need to have white collar pinned into gown beforehand. When carrying your cap, be sure the tassel does not fall off and become lost. We have no extra tassels.
· Wear your cap with the top flat (like a book balanced on your head) with tassel on YOUR right. Tassels are moved to YOUR left after everyone receives a diploma but should not be toyed with in the meantime.
· Be sure you are well groomed and your hair is combed.
· Stand up straight and walk with pride. This is an honor you have earned, and the dignity of this occasion should be upheld.
· Accept your diploma with your left hand. Your right is for shaking hands.
· REMEMBER: GRADUATION IS A CEREMONY—A RITE OF PASSAGE.
· NO GUM AND NO SUNGLASSES FOR EITHER AWARDS DAY OR GRADUATION! No decorating of caps or gowns.
*Wear Cap and Gown
ORDER YOUR SENIOR PANORAMA PICTURE BY CLICKING HERE
Graduation Pictures
DON'T FORGET> YEARBOOK SALES END WEDNESDAY MAY 17TH
FAST TRACK- Calhoun's Free Summer Learning Program- Watch the video below for more information
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
FAFSA Individual Meetings
Last chance to meet with Karlton Stephens from the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence. He will be available to meet with parents and/or students to assist them in filling out the FAFSA. Meetings will take place every thirty minutes from 1 pm- 4 pm. Please try and get both the student and parent FSA ID prior to meeting with him. Directions to do that are listed below. You will need a copy of the student (if they have one) and parent(s) 2015 taxes and W2. If you have any specific questions prior to meeting, please call the NACEE office at 256-350-6478.
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY!
See Mrs. Johnson if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 11:00 AM
AHS Guidance
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY
SCHOLARSHIPS
All scholarships and special opportunities will be listed here in chronological order.
- The Jentzen Caleb Risner Superhero Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Andrew & Lauren Risner’s son, Jentzen Caleb Risner, who lived on this Earth for only 3.5 days. This scholarship exists to honor Jentzen’s memory and to reward students who have fought through life challenges all the while achieving success in high school. Students who have overcome a serious illness or other type of life challenge are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must have a 3. 0 GPA and plan on attending a 2 or 4 year school. Applications are available in the Guidance Department, in Mr. Risner's room. Deadline is May 2, 2017.
- The Will Orman Scholarship is available in the Guidance Department. Applications are due to Mr. Smith by May 3, 2017.
- Enter the Suntrust Off To College Scholarship Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 30 $500 scholarships. You can enter once each drawing period from September 12- May 12, 2017. Enter to win at www.suntrusteducation.com/scholarshipsweepstakes
- The Horatio Alger Career & Technical Scholarship Program will award scholarships to students all over the nation who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Must be attending a college or technical program in the Fall of 2-17 and be Pell Grant eligible. To apply go to www.application.horatioalger.org. Deadline is June 15, 2017.
- Have you ever dreamed of becoming a scientist? Make that dream a reality this summer at Duke Summer College. Whether you want to study black holes or the human genome, we have a course for you. For a full list of the classes we are offering this summer, click here.
- The Adventures of AMCOM Enrichment Program is an AMCOM Educational Outreach Program for rising 10-12 grade students that will give them the opportunity to learn about how the Army technology, acquisition and sustainment activities function. Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline to apply is May 19, 2017.
- The University of Notre Dome Summer Scholars Program will be held on campus June 24- July 8, 2017. 300 Rising high school juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to explore one of 20 diverse fields of study. To find out more information, visit the website at www.precollege.nd.edu.
- The Stanford University Pre-Collegiate Studies offers nine engaging academic programs throughout the summer. To learn more about the programs and how to apply visit https://spcs.stanford.edu/collegecounselor.
- The Talladega College Summer Institute is for entering freshmen and will take place June 19- July 14, 2017. This four week residential program is to prepare entering freshmen for academic success. More information is available in the Guidance Department.
- The Wetland Environmental Learning Projects is hosting the 3rd annual summer camp from June 5-8, 2017. It is located 10 miles south of Lake Guntersville in the valley of Bi Spring Creek. Students interested in learning more about natural resources and environmental sciences should see Mrs. Smith for more information.
- The Federal Service Language Academy will take place this summer at the University of North Georgia. Students have a choice of learning Arabic, Chinese, Russian, German, Korean, French, Japanese or Portuguese. You will also learn about federal service careers where knowing a critical foreign language and culture is important. This opportunity is available to rising 10th, 11th & 12th grade students. More info is available at http:///ung.edu/global-engagement/fsla/index.php. Deadline is April 1, 2017.
- The 9th Annual Apex Leadership Summit at Ole Miss will be offered June 4-7, June 21-24 and July 9-12, 2017. Current juniors/rising seniors will have the opportunity to experience a program packed with leadership development, team building and sessions in ethics, social responsibility, problem solving and resumes. Cost would be $50. Please see Mrs. Smith if interested. Deadline is April 13, 2017.
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville will host a summer Reading Skills and Speed Reading Program for preschool- high school age students. Call 1-800-964-9974 to register.
NEED A TRANSCRIPT?
All schools that you apply to will require that you send an official transcript which must be sent directly from Athens High School. Most scholarships will require a transcript as well. The Transcript Request Form is located in the Guidance Department or on the AHS Website. Turn the form into Mrs. LL Smith (outside the door) or Ms. Ramona Malone.
Please allow ample time for the transcript to be processed.
NEED A RECOMMENDATION?
- Look at the recommendation criteria. It will be specific in who the recommendation can come from.
- Choose someone with whom you've had a positive relationship.
- Provide them with a resume, what or who the recommendation is for, and when you need it completed.
- Let them know if it is to be returned to you or if they are to mail it. If they are to mail it, please provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope.
- Give them ample time to write the recommendation. A month before the deadline is preferable.
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Location: 100 U.S. 31, Athens, AL, United States
Phone: 256-233-6613