Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER
Welcome Back to School!
Hello and welcome back! I hope that you had a relaxing summer vacation. My name is Laura Lou Smith and I am thrilled to begin serving as the counselor for 11th & 12th grade students. As an alumni of Athens High School, I was so excited to return “home”. I have served as a school counselor for the last ten years in Birmingham, AL. My husband, Derrek, and I are so happy to begin raising our two young children here in Athens.
Most of you have been anxiously awaiting your senior year! It is finally here and it is your turn to lead the way for the underclassmen. My hope for all of you is that you take a moment to slow down and enjoy this time in your life. While discussions of future plans and finances can be stressful, you will never get to experience these milestones with these people ever again.
With senior year comes a lot of information that you need to know. Scholarships, senior deadlines, special opportunities, important dates and much more can be located here. I will be sending out this newsletter regularly to your school email, your teachers’ email and it will also be available on the school's website for your parents to view. It is YOUR job to read thru the information and see what applies to you. I would hate for you to miss out on an opportunity. So stay tuned and stay aware!
Yearbooks are on sale for $75.00. You may order the Aquila through www.balfour.com or in Room 204.
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR COLLEGE & MILITARY RECRUITERS
College & military recruiters will be visiting throughout the year. They will be setting up tables in the lunchroom. Make a point to go speak to the recruiters. Help them to put a face to an application. It can greatly benefit you in the application and scholarship process.
COMING SOON…
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA Thursday, August 25th
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA Tuesday, August 30th
FALL PREVIEW DAYS
Fall Preview Days are a great way to see many facets of a college or university. Go to a school's website to sign up online to participate in their preview day. If you cannot make the preview day, then sign up online for a tour of campus. If the preview day or campus visit takes place on a weekday, make sure to fill out the appropriate form so that absence does not affect your attendance.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Oct 7, 2016
Oct 24, 2016
Nov 7, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Oct 3, 2016
Oct 17, 2016
Nov 14, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
Oct 29, 2016
Nov 19, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Oct 15, 2016
Nov 5, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
Nov 5, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN BIRMINGHAM
Oct 29, 2016
JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
Oct 15, 2016
Nov 5, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO
Oct 8, 2016
Oct 29, 2016
Stay informed by signing up for REMIND today
Sign up for Mrs. LL Smith's REMIND by texting
TO: 81010
MESSAGE: @mrslls
Sign up for the ACT at www.actstudent.org today!
- September 10, 2016
- October 22, 2016
- December 10, 2016
- February 11, 2017
- April 8, 2017
- June 10, 2017
Interested in retaking the ASVAB?
If you are a senior who would like to retake the ASVAB this fall, sign up with Ms. Johnson in the Guidance Department.
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 or Ms. Ramona Malone.
Please allow ample time for the transcript to be processed.
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
NACAC COLLEGE FAIR
Sunday, Sep 11, 2016, 01:00 PM
Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Richard Arrington Junior Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL, United States
SENIOR MEETING
Monday, Sep 12, 2016, 08:00 AM
AHS Lunchroom
JUNIOR MEETING
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2016, 08:00 AM
AHS Lunchroom
JUNIOR/SENIOR PARENT MEETING
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2016, 06:00 PM
AHS Lunchroom
COLLEGE & CAREER FAIR
Friday, Sep 16, 2016, 08:30 AM
Athens State University Ballroom, Pryor Street East, Athens, AL, United States
SCHOLARSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES
All scholarships and special opportunities will be listed here in chronological order. This section will continue to grow throughout the year. Keep an eye out as new information is listed.
- Better Business Bureau of North Alabama is sponsoring the 2016 Torch Awards Scholarship. 11th & 12th grade students are eligible to enter. An application and 400 word or less essay are required to apply. The online entry form is located at www.bbb.org/northern-alabama/torch-scholarship-application-2016/. Deadline is September 23, 2016.
- This year, 100 scholarships ranging from $1,000 all the way up to $10,000 will be given away though the Wendy's Heisman Scholarship program. Scholarships are awarded to top performing scholar-athletes. Apply today at www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com. Deadline is October 3, 2016.
- The Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships to students who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Awards range from $7,000 to $25,000. Students can apply at www.scholars.horatioalger.org. Deadline is October 25, 2016.
- The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invite all 9th-12th grade students to participate in the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest. Each students 5-6 minute speech will be judges based on its composition, delivery, significance and historical accuracy and relevance. Cash prizes range from $150- $4,000. Deadline is December 20, 2016. See the Guidance Department for more info.
FAFSA- Know The Changes
What is the FAFSA?
You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you want to apply for federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, also require the FAFSA. You must submit the FAFSA every year that you want aid.
The FAFSA is available in several formats, including online, PDF and paper versions. The best option is to complete the web-based version of the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov, known as FAFSA on the Web.
What are the changes to the FAFSA?
You can start completing the FAFSA in OCTOBER using your parents 2015 taxes. This is a significant change for the better. You will have more time to complete the FAFSA. Most colleges & universities have a preferred deadline of March 1.
Want FREE help in filling out the FAFSA? Contact The North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence at 256-233-1220.
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Phone: 256-233-6613