Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER
1/4 Has Come and Gone- Oh My!
The first 9 weeks has officially come and gone. Take a moment to reflect over the first quarter (how scary) of your senior year and think about whether it is all you had imagined. Most of you would say:
a. "it is way more stressful than I ever imagined" AND/OR
b. "I can't believe how quickly it is flying by!"
The second 1/4 of your senior year should center around two MAJOR goals:
1. Apply to at least one school/military/training
2. Complete the FAFSA
Get these two things completed before the new year- when SENIORITIS begins to seriously take hold.
JOHN BAYLOR PREP
If you haven't already heard, Athens High School has purchased John Baylor Prep for all students grades 9-12. The mission of JBP is to help schools and families create college graduates with minimal debt. Jumping scores helps, but study skills, general test taking skills, and skilled college counseling do as well.
Available to you now are ACT Prep, ACT Fundamentals Course, SAT/PSAT Prep, and ASPIRE Early High School Prep.
You can access it now by going to www.johnbaylorprep.com.
Login: your school email address
Password: eagles
**IMPORTANT FAFSA "Fas-fah" INFORMATION** WHAT you need to know for October 1st
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? There will be 2 opportunities in October for FAFSA Assistance at the Athens High School campus with The North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence. Please see below for more information.
FAFSA Assistance Meetings
Karlton Stephens from the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence 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. 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.
Please click here to reserve your time.
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2016, 08:30 AM
AHS Guidance Department
FAFSA Assistance Meetings
Karlton Stephens from the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence 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. 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.
Please click here to reserve your time.
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016, 08:30 AM
AHS Guidance Department
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
BALFOUR Orders
Go to www.balfoursrc.com for more info.
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016, 11:30 AM
AHS Lunchroom
COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK
Monday, Oct 31, 2016, 08:00 AM
Athens High School, U.S. 31, Athens, AL, United States
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR COLLEGE & MILITARY RECRUITERS
We have a lot of college representatives coming in October to visit during your lunch period. Please take a moment to introduce yourself and ask them any questions you may have. They are a valuable resource even after you have been admitted to school.
COMING SOON…
AUBURN UNIVERSITY IN MONTGOMERY- Tuesday, October 18th
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA- Thursday, October 20th
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA- Monday, October 24th
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE- Wednesday, October 26th
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA- Friday, October 28th
ATTENTION SENIORS as you have apply to a school and receive an acceptance letter, please come by my office so that I can get a copy. We are working on a special project and want you to be recognized!
Senior Ads
Senior ads for the yearbook are due October 31st. Seniors can bring the information to Mrs. Hamlett in room 204.
Sign up for the ACT at www.actstudent.org today!
- October 22, 2016
- December 10, 2016** (last chance for many scholarship deadlines)
- February 11, 2017
- April 8, 2017
- June 10, 2017
Buy your Senior Yearbook
The Aquila is for sale online at Balfour.com or in Room 204. Students can see a publications member for more information.
FALL PREVIEW DAYS
Don't forget to sign up for Fall Preview Days. They 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 pick up a form in the attendance office to get it approved. Use your 2 FREE college visit days!
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Oct 24, 2016
Nov 7, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
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 29, 2016
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
^^THE SCHOLARSHIP BINDER^^ WITHIN THE SCHOLARSHIP BINDER YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS PRINTED IN THIS NEWSLETTER AS WELL AS COPIES OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS. YOU CAN ACCESS IT IN THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT AT ANY TIME. CHECK IT ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR UPDATED INFORMATION.
SCHOLARSHIPS
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.
- Huntsville Hospital Athlete of the Year Scholarship Program is taking applications. From September to April, a panel of judges selects one Athlete of the Week. Applicants must be a high school senior, have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and display a history of athletic and academic accomplishments, as well as community/civic involvement. All weekly winners are invited to a banquet held in their honor in May, and two students are selected as Athletes of the Year. The two Athletes of the Year each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Go to http://www.huntsvillehospital.org/aoy to apply today.
- The Omega Psi Pi Fraternity will be sponsoring an International High School Essay Contest. Four scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $1,000 will be awarded. The contest is open to all college-bound seniors. Information and applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is October 21, 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 Prudential Spirit of Community awards program celebrates volunteerism and recognizes students grades 9-12 who have distinguished themselves through community service. If you have participated in community service activities, fill out an online application at http://spirit.prudential.com. You could be eligible to win an award of $1,000 or more. Deadline is November 8, 2016.
- The Smith Scholarship Foundation is an Accountability Scholarship Program providing assistance to high school seniors who have "given back" to their community through volunteering or care of family while overcoming financial and personal challenges. The SSF Program provides up to $15,000 a year in financial assistance in addition to many other opportunities. Please visit their website at www.smithscholarships.com for additional information. Deadline for application is December 1, 2016. Letters of Recommendation are due January 15, 2016.
- P.O.E. will be sponsoring the 2017 Alabama Chapter Z Scholarship. You must be a female with a 3.0 GPA actively involved in community, extracurricular and/or work activities. The minimum award amount will be $500. Deadline is December 1, 2016. Applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- The FBLA-PBL Foundation Scholarship will be awarded to one paid, senior member of each Alabama district for FBLA students. Deadline is December 15, 2016. Applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- 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. Applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- The Linley Heflin Scholarship grants four-year scholarships of $4,000/year to Alabama women with significant economic need and sound academic record. Requirements are a minimum composite ACT of 23, Alabama resident and US citizen, financial need, academic proficiency and must be attending a four-year Alabama SACS accredited college. Applications can be downloaded at www.linleyheflin.org. Deadline is January 9, 2017.
- The National Co Op Scholarship Program is for students interested in attending one of these 10 schools: Clarkson U, Drexel U, Johnson & Wales U, Merrimack U, Rochester IT, State U of NY Oswego, U of Cincinnati, U of Mass. Lowell, U of Toledo, Wentworth IT. You must have a 3.5 GPA and apply to one of the schools above. Awards range from $24,000 to $26,000 over 4 years. Applications available at www.waceinc.org. Deadlines vary from November 1- February 15 depending on the school.
- The Athena League recognizes the importance of academic achievement, need, extracurricular activities and community involvement, thus establishing the Athena League Trent-Crutcher Scholarship. The award is a one-time $1,000 scholarship. Senior girls planning on starting college in the fall of 2017 are eligible (except daughters of Athena League members past and present). Deadline is March 1, 2017. Applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- 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
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
- Interested in Service? The Junior Civitan International Club will have an informational meeting for those in grades 7-12 who are interested in serving their community. The meeting will be held at 6 pm on Thursday , October 20th at the Limestone County Career Technical Center.
- US Congressman Mo Brooks will be hosting an Academy Day for high school student's in Alabama's 5th congressional district who are interested in a US Service Academy Appointment. Representatives will be available from all 5 service academies. Make plans to attend at the Madison Academy Cafeteria on Sunday October 23, 2016 from 2-4 pm.
- The University of Alabama College of Engineering will be hosting an open house on Thursday October 6, 2016. from 8:15 am - 1 pm. Register to attend by Sept 30th at www.eng.ua.edu/e-day. Lunch will be provided.
- The Veteran's of Foreign Wars will host the Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. Students grades 9-12 are eligible to apply with winners ranging from Post, District, State and National Levels. Deadline is November 1, 2016. More information and application available in the Guidance Department.
- The University of Alabama Department of Theater and Dance invite any student interested in pursuing a degree in Theater to attend auditions for departmental scholarships. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to be eligible. Audition days will take place on November 5, 2016 and January 28, 2017. Information and applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- The JFK Presidential Library & Museum will host the 2017 Profile in Courage Essay Contest. This year's topic is "Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year of JFK's birth". First place prize is awarded $20,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Boston, MA. Deadline is January 4, 2017. Go to www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest for more info.
- The North Alabama Community of Character Summit will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Columbia High School. Students from k-12 can enter the Character Summit Contest in two art categories or four character divisions. You can enter into up to two categories. Cash prizes and scholarship money will be awarded to winners in the 9-12 grade. Applications and entry requirements are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline to enter is February 10.
- Auburn University Pre-Professional Day for students interested in going on to professional programs (like Pharmacy, Medical School or Veterinarian School) will be on October 28th. Register online early as space is limited.
- An evening information program with the admission representatives of Dartmouth College, Northwestern University, Princeton University, University of California- Berkeley and Vanderbilt University will take place on Thursday, September 29th at 7-9 p.m. at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel.
- An admissions information session with Washington University in St. Louis will take place Sunday October 2, 2016 from 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Marriott.
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