VMHS College & Career Center
Weekly Update Vol. 13
Welcome!
Click HERE to see our calendar.


VMHS Senior Awarded Piper Scholars Award
Congratulations to Jayda Hamilton! She is the recipient of the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Piper Scholars Award for 2021! This scholarship is highly competitive and only a select few win this honor each year. These four-year scholarships are awarded to academically promising and superior high school seniors residing in certain geographic areas of Texas.


VMHS Senior Athletes Awarded the Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship
Congratulations Patriots! Marley Rokas, Joshua Velazquez, and Ariel Jupiter (not pictured) are outstanding Seniors and recipients of the Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship. These Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, teacher recommendations, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities and varsity sports as well as honors received and a personal narrative. These Seniors are real game-changers not only on the field or the court but in their academics too!
College Information Sessions for Juniors
Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams University Sessions
We're hosting two events for juniors and their families to help answer questions about the college search process
- Junior Jumpstart - April 20 at 8 pm EDT or April 22 at 8 pm EDT
- Navigating and Belonging: A Special Session for First-Generation and Low-Income Students - May 24 at 8 pm EDT or May 26 at 8 pm EDT
Scholarship for Ages 14 - 19
We the Students Scholarship Essay Contest
Deadline: April 15, 2021
The essay prompt this year is: What is the relationship between equality and justice?
Eligibility
The Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students who are no older than 19 and no younger than 14 as of the end of the Contest Period who (1) attend school in the United States, one of its territories or districts, or an American Armed Forces School Abroad, and (2) who are in grades 8 -12 attending public, private, religious, or charter schools, or (3) are enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program, or (4) are attending a home school program.
Submission Guidelines
Each submission must adhere to the topics and should fully answer the question and all sub-parts. Each submission must adhere to the word limits for each question (between 500 and 800 words), and must be submitted by 11:59 pm PT on April 15, 2021. Only online submissions will be accepted for the contest. Only one essay per student will be accepted.
The sixteen student winners will receive a total of $20,000 in scholarship prizes. More details including rules and regulations can be found on the website.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) at Veterans Memorial High School
Business Marketing & The School Store
Have You Been Accepted to Baylor?
Baylor Housing Application is now open
Seniors,
Acceptance letters and financial aid packages have started rolling out. If you have been accepted to Baylor, the house application is now open. Please select the link below to apply.
SAT Testing Date has changed
Wednesday, March 24th, 8:30am
7618 Evans Road
San Antonio, TX
Don't Mess With Texas Scholarship Contest
Deadline: March 31, 2021, must be postmarked by 5:00 pm
The 2021 Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship Contest, in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, recognizes the achievements of high school seniors who have taken a leadership role to prevent litter in their school and/or community. Any Texas high school senior planning to pursue a two- or four-year degree at an accredited college or university in the Fall of 2021 and currently attending public, private, or home school in Texas may apply. One $5,000 Grand Prize scholarship and two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded this May 2021. Thank you to the 2021 scholarship sponsors: iHeart Media and Buc-ee’s.
http://www.dontmesswithtexas.org/education-overview/scholarships/
It's Acceptance Season!
Seniors: Acceptance and Award Letters
Seniors,
It is time to start wrapping up your senior year! As you receive acceptance letters and financial aid award letters, please be sure to upload them into Schoolinks. Schoolinks is located in your JISD student portal. The video tutorial below will help guide you and give you directions for the uploads.
Career Focus: Graphic Design
Local Graphic Design Programs
Incarnate Word University University of the Incarnate Word offers 2 Graphic Design Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large city. Designers create the way we see and experience much of the world. From packaging design to logos and visual identity to web and app interfaces, designers translate systems and concepts into visual representations. UIW’s selective Graphic Design program is rigorous and designed to inspire every student to produce exceptional, creative and technically excellent work. As a result, it produces award-winning students who become graduates with fulfilling careers. | San Antonio College Students learn to think critically, conduct research to collect materials for use in visual communication problem solving, and develop hands-on experience with current industry-standard software including Adobe CC. Students also learn to set realistic goals leading to the completion of design projects within the specified time frame, employ the steps of the critique process using a vocabulary of relevant design terms and technical terminology, and present design projects both formally and conceptually. | The Art Institute of San Antonio The Art Institute of San Antonio offers 2 Graphic Design Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a large city. In 2015, 21 students graduated in the study area of Graphic Design with students earning 11 Associate's degrees, and 10 Bachelor's degrees. Design is more than art for art’s sake. It grabs attention, tells a story, persuades, and inspires action. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to make design work hard. |
Incarnate Word University
San Antonio College
The Art Institute of San Antonio
Design is more than art for art’s sake. It grabs attention, tells a story, persuades, and inspires action. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to make design work hard.
Upcoming College Events
Texan Tour
Tarleton State University is hosting four campus preview days this spring semester. Students will be able to speak with faculty and staff from academic departments, admissions, housing, financial aid, and scholarships. They will also have the opportunity to take a campus tour, view housing showrooms, and explore our Honors College, Corps of Cadets, and ROTC programs. Space is limited so students are encouraged to register early! Visit their website for more Texan Tour info.
Texan Tour Dates:
· April 9, 2021
· April 10, 2021

Texas Tech Virtual Visits
VIRTUAL TECHSAN EXPERIENCE
Come join us for our Virtual Techsan Experience. This event will allow you to experience a live tour around campus, visiting some of Texas Tech's most famous spots! This tour will include visiting Jones AT&T Stadium, United Supermarkets Arena, Student Union Building, and much more! We will review how to apply to Texas Tech University and what you can do in preparation for your application to open.
Sunday, March 21, 2021
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST
All sessions are hosted virtually using Zoom
Register Here (Links to an external site.)
Sunday, April 18, 2021
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST
All sessions are hosted virtually using Zoom
Register Here (Links to an external site.)
For questions about this event, contact the Visitors Center at 806.742.1299 or visitors@ttu.edu.
UTSA ISD Saturdays
Join us for ISD Saturdays, a special series for San Antonio-area students to explore what UTSA has to offer. Students will meet their admissions counselors, learn about UTSA's academic programs and student life, and build a plan for their Bold Futures.
Each one-hour virtual session will focus on the following topics:
- Mar 3 – Access & Affordability
- Mar 27 – Get Rowdy & Experience Roadrunner Nation
- May 1 – Navigating UTSA: Completing your Enrollment Checklist
We are also excited to announce some big giveaways! If students attend all three sessions, they will be entered for a chance to win a $1000.00 scholarship or a $200.00 HEB gift card.
Please share this with your students, and feel free to sign up for the event as well! We look forward to seeing prospective Roadrunners and our favorite high school counselors!
Visit: https://future.utsa.edu/satx/ to learn more and to register for the event! We also have some great virtual backgrounds for your ISD!
Checkout This SCHOLARSHIP:

Alamo Colleges Foundation Scholarships
There are scholarships available through the Alamo Colleges Foundation along with resources to help you develop a strong application and information to help with the submission process.
Also, connect with the Alamo Colleges Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to engage with other students who benefit from Alamo Colleges Scholarships.
Applying for Foundation Scholarships
2021-2022 Scholarship Application
Application Opens: Jan. 4, 2021 at 8 a.m.
Priority Application Deadline: April 5, 2021
Final Application Deadline: Sept. 5, 2021
Submit an Application (Links to an external site.)
Scholarship recipient selections begin after the Priority Application Deadline and continue throughout the academic year. Students selected to receive a scholarship are notified by email.
Scholarship Application
Only one application is considered per academic year. If you submitted a scholarship application, you must apply again to be considered for next academic year scholarships.
Once you submit your application, you will be given an application number. Make sure to write down your application number. This number confirms your application was submitted
Many scholarships require financial need. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov (Links to an external site.) as soon as possible, since it takes a few weeks before receipt by the Alamo Colleges District.
Bexar Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship
The Bexar Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving high school graduating female student applicant, as stipulated in the attached “Scholarship Criteria and Requirements 2020-2021 Information Sheet.” Through our scholarship program, BAAC strives to support the educational endeavors of students in its service area.
Please note that the “Information Sheet” outlines a brief history of our organization, along with criteria for submission of applications. To access the Scholarship Application, applicants need to logon to the organization’s website at www.bexarareadst.org (Links to an external site.). Applicants will be able to complete the application and submit necessary documents online. The deadline for receipt of these materials is Friday, April 2, 2021.
Please view the attachment for more information and scholarship requirements.
Need Transcripts? Click the Link Below
Click here to order a transcript
Trade Opportunities: Cosmetology
Ogle School The Ogle School San Antonio campus is in the northern suburb of Castle Hills, close to the upscale North Star Mall. The school offers day and evening courses and qualifications in cosmetology, including hair, skin and nails. As well as class training, students receive invaluable practical experience in our on-campus, student-powered salons, supervised by our licensed, experienced instructors. Since 1973, Ogle School has prepared committed students for rewarding careers in the beauty industry through salon-modeled, student-centered training and development of the highest caliber. | Paul Mitchell Offers programs in cosmetology, barbering, and esthetics. At Paul Mitchell The School San Antonio, we prepare our students (or as we call them, Future Professionals) for careers in the beauty industry as licensed cosmetologists. Students are guided by our Learning Leaders through the Cosmetology program’s three levels—Core, Adaptive and Creative—taking on more advanced techniques and building real-world skills and confidence as they move through each stage. Our three-level program gives you hands-on training in everything from precision haircutting, color and texture to skincare, shaving and grooming, plus the personal and business skills you need to build a career. From skin analysis, ingredient technology and prescriptive retailing to waxing and makeup techniques, our program offers preparation for a career as a skincare therapist. | Programs Offered at AvedaOur cosmetology operator course incorporates theory with extensive hands on experience to provide you with a complete understanding of beauty and wellness. The program includes hair cutting, color, texture services, nail care, makeup application, business development, retail knowledge and the concept of gaining and retaining clients. Upon completion, students move on to intensive real-world training to hone their skills. Our Esthetician program prepares you for a future as a skin care specialist. The training utilizes our trademark AVEDA pure flower and plant essences and wellness rituals. Every graduate will be trained in facials, waxing, makeup application, business development, wellness and retail knowledge. |
Ogle School
Since 1973, Ogle School has prepared committed students for rewarding careers in the beauty industry through salon-modeled, student-centered training and development of the highest caliber.
Paul Mitchell
Our three-level program gives you hands-on training in everything from precision haircutting, color and texture to skincare, shaving and grooming, plus the personal and business skills you need to build a career.
From skin analysis, ingredient technology and prescriptive retailing to waxing and makeup techniques, our program offers preparation for a career as a skincare therapist.
Programs Offered at Aveda
Our cosmetology operator course incorporates theory with extensive hands on experience to provide you with a complete understanding of beauty and wellness. The program includes hair cutting, color, texture services, nail care, makeup application, business development, retail knowledge and the concept of gaining and retaining clients. Upon completion, students move on to intensive real-world training to hone their skills.
Our Esthetician program prepares you for a future as a skin care specialist. The training utilizes our trademark AVEDA pure flower and plant essences and wellness rituals. Every graduate will be trained in facials, waxing, makeup application, business development, wellness and retail knowledge.

JUNIORS: Top 5 Things You Should Start Now
The Spring semester will pass by very quickly and there are some things you need to be prepared for. I've listed some of the tasks to help get you ready for your college application season. The University/College applications will open early again this year and it is always advisable to be prepared.
Maintain your grades!- Admissions is based on a 6th semester transcript. That means your 9th, 10th and 11th grade year will be used to evaluate your admissions application.
- You will have the opportunity to take the SAT on March 3, 2021. It is true universities/colleges have waived the SAT for admissions. However, the major you are interested in may still require an SAT score. Make sure you check the requirements.
- Schoolinks is the districts new college platform. It can be found in your JISD Student portal. You can research colleges, take interest/career quizzes, build a college list, and use the Common App to apply for colleges. Get familiar with this platform because you will use it often as a senior to submit your acceptance letters and scholarships.
- You can create a Resume in Schoolinks by selecting your profile name. Resumes are helpful when you ask teachers, managers, and volunteer supervisors to write letters of recommendation for you. Some Universities/Colleges will require a resume as part of the application process.
- The Majority of Texas University applications will open on July 1, 2021. You want to be prepared and have some of the information ready to go. You can save time by creating your accounts and completing your profile. Make sure you keep your passwords in a safe place. Some accounts that require a profile are listed below:
- Apply Texas
https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX (Links to an external site.) - FSA ID (You and Your Parents will need to create an ID)
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch (Links to an external site.) - Common Application
https://www.commonapp.org/ (Links to an external site.) - Coalition for College Application
https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ (Links to an external site.) - Common Black College Application
https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/
ASVAB
April ASVAB Testing
Thursday, April 22nd, 8:30am
7618 Evans Road
San Antonio, TX
To sign up, go to https://forms.gle/mHJKKYc3MjH1ZGEX9
March2Success FREE website providing users access to online study materials to help improve their scores on standardized tests such as state exit exams, college entrance exams, the military entrance exam (ASVAB) and others. Check out March2Success HERE | 4Tests Practice ASVAB Tests | ASVAB Practice Test 2020 APP |
March2Success
Check out March2Success HERE

Applying for Colleges & Universities in Texas Using ApplyTexas
TSI Testing
What Is the TSI Assessment?
The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. If you are an incoming college student in Texas, you are required to take the TSI Assessment - unless you are already exempt (read below) - to determine your readiness for college-level work. Based on how you perform, you may either be enrolled in a college-level course and/or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to improve your skills and prepare you for success in college-level courses.
Who Needs to Take TSI at VMHS?
- Students preparing to take a dual credit class in the 2021-2022 school year
- Students applying for an Alamo Academy dual credit program in the 2021-2022 school year
- Seniors planning to take college courses*
*TSI is required in the state of Texas. Students can be exempt through meeting benchmark scores on SAT or ACT.

SENIORS, Please Fill out the FAFSA Survey below if you have not already done so
Paying for Your College Education
Please Fill Out the FAFSA Survey Below:
Mexican American Bar Association 2021 College Scholarship Award
Deadline: April 2, 2021
Every year MABA-SA awards several thousand dollars to deserving San Antonio area high school seniors. The MABA-SA scholarship fund seeks to aid qualified students who are pursuing a post-high school education, college as well as trade school. This year MABA-SA will be selecting twenty (20) individuals to receive a $1,500 scholarship.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS - A successful applicant must:
1. Complete a MABA-SA Scholarship Application.
2. Submit an exceptional personal statement.
3. Provide a copy of transcript of grades through December 2020.
4. Provide a copy of their best SAT/ACT scores. If, and only if, the student was not able to take
the SAT or ACT in 2020, the student must submit a copy of their PSAT score taken during their
Junior Year in high school.
5. Provide a letter of recommendation from a high school official (teacher, coach, principal, counselor).
6. If any community service work has been performed, you may indicate such service by
attaching a resume.
7. If selected to receive scholarship, please make arrangements to attend the Scholarship
Awards Ceremony on May 13, 2021. Recipients will be notified within one week of the
ceremony and the location and details will provided at that time.
QUALIFICATIONS - A successful applicant must:
1. Have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
2. Be a high school senior currently enrolled in an accredited secondary school.
2021 Randall P. Palmer Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 12, 2021
The purpose of the Randall P. Palmer III Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships to deserving high school graduating seniors intending to pursue a course of study at an educational institution of higher learning. The scholarship award is based on financial need, one's display of high scholastic achievement, participation in community/service-based activities, and a demonstrated ability toward leadership.
CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY
• Must be a graduating high school senior (2020-2021 school year)
• 3.0 Minimum GPA overall or progression towards un-weighted GPA of 4.00 over the course of four semesters (For the most recent completed cumulative GPA period in 2020
- 2021)
• Must show financial need
• Must demonstrate community involvement
APPLICATION PROCESS
• Completed Application (preferably typed)
• Official high school transcript. All transcripts must be submitted using the grading
policy/GPA scale currently used by their school; additionally, ACT/SAT scores
• Acceptance letter from college/university (copy must be enclosed with application)
• Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from a high school teacher, counselor, social
worker, religious official or school principal. The LORs must include your potential to be successful in college; and have two contact numbers, e-mail address, and full name.
• Personal Statement must be typed, Times New Roman style, font size 12, double spaced.
The statement should address the following:
o A brief biography about yourself
o A description of your scholastic and career ambitions
o A description of your involvement in current extra-curricular and community
service activities.
o (Optional) Please submit no more than 3 action photos and a graduation photo for inclusion into our Gala presentation and social media platform.
March Scholarship Due Dates
OPENS IN SPRING- www.patsyminkfoundation.org/education-support-application
19th-SA Chapter The Links Incorp. https://sanantoniolinks.org/2020/12/30/apply-now-for-2021-scholarships/
20th-PGA South Texas Foundation https://www.stpgareach.org/college-scholarships
20th-Spurs Give Angelo Drossos Memorial 20-mar-spurs_give_angelo_dross_memorial.pdf
22nd-A4LE https://www.a4le.org/A4LE/Regions/Southern/South_Texas/Scholarship/Southern/South_Texas/Scholarship.aspx?hkey=113563c0-fde2-4f5a-a2b6-ed4231e5fd75
23th-Center for Refugee Services 23-mar-center_for_refugee_services.docx
24th-Sam Baird Blues Society http://www.sanantonioblues.com/documents/sbsvn5.pdf
25th-Federal Employee Educ. Assist. feea.org/2019/10/03/feea-scholarship-application-2020-open/
26th-Executive Women International https://app.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarship/ewisp
27th-Elk Vocational Grant 27-mar-voc_grant_application_.pdf
29th-Boule Foundation https://scholarships.uncf.org/Program/Details/f5648ea1-342a-4904-8444-584c4903710e
29th-Distinguished Young Bobcat www.stelos.org/distinguished-young-bobcat-award
30th-Odenza Marketing Group bit.ly/2SHNSF4
31st-Automotive Aftermarket www.automotivescholarships.com/
31st-Blacks at Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/blacks-scholarships.aspx
31st-Beyond the Cure Ambassador 31-mar-beyond_the_cure_ambassador.pdf
31st-British American Found. of TX https://www.baftx.org/undergraduate-scholarship/
31st-Don't Mess With Texas dontmesswithtexas.org/education-overview/scholarships
31st-Folds of Honor https://www.foldsofhonor.org/scholarships/higher-education/
31st-Foster Care to Success www.fc2success.org/our-programs/information-for-students/
31st-Gamers Helping Gamers bit.ly/2P5mzn9
31st-Just Poetry www.justpoetry.org/submissions
31st-Kezian Science www.drkezian.com/science-scholarship/
31st-Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance www.mesothelioma.com/scholarship/
31st-Mike Rowe's Work Ethic www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/
31st-Montem Health & Wellness montemlife.com/scholarship/
31st-Opp U www.opploans.com/oppu/scholarship/
31st-Rey Feo http://reyfeoscholarship.com/scholarship-application/
31st-Superpower www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/superpower-scholarship
31st-Texas Big Game http://www.texasbiggameawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/2021%20TBGA%20Scholarship%20Application.pdf
(Rules)-www.texasbiggameawards.org/
31st-Trekking Pole Review bit.ly/39kszjR
31st-Upsolve Access to Justice upsolve.org/scholarship/
April 1st-Lockheed Martin learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lockheedmartin/
April 5th (priority deadline)-Alamo Colleges Foundation www.alamo.edu/foundation/scholarships/
April 16th-SA Kappa Alpha PSI sakapedfoundation.org/scholarships
April 30th-USPAACC uspaacc.com/programs/education/college-scholarships#!
Use Schoolinks to Fill Out Your Common App Application
Directions for submitting your acceptance letter:
1. Log into Schoolinks through your JISD student portal.
2. Select the "Colleges" icon on the left side.
3. Select "College Applications"
4. Select "#2 Application Results"
5. Under the tab "Accepted" add the schools you have been accepted to.
6. Upload a photo of the email or letter stating your acceptance.
6. Confirm the Acceptance


Senior Mid-Year Checklist
A COMPLETE APPLICATION -Make sure your applications are complete. The following documentation must be submitted before your application can be reviewed:
o Application Form -Apply Texas, Common App, University App, etc.
o Supplemental Application (if applicable)
o Application Fee or Fee Waiver
o Official Test Scores if you are not waiving the SAT/ACT – Must be sent from College Board or ACT
o Official Transcripts (sent by school) 9th – 11th grade
o Letters of Recommendation (if applicable)
o Optional Materials
o Optional letter of recommendation
MARCH/APRIL
o ASVAB Testing-If you are interested in Military Service, make sure you have completed an test and contacted Ms. Hodges.
o Review Financial Aid Packages with your parents – Packages will be mailed out or will be available in your student portal. Makes sure you review the information and log into your University student account to accept it.
MAY AND JUNE
o DECISION DAY! Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by May 1st o Only submit your SIR to one college
o Place an order your final transcript for your University/College/Military B
We Are Now On Canvas! Make sure your student accepts the invitation to join our Canvas course: VMHS College & Career Center This is a great resource for you student about all things college and career related. | Senior Orders from JOSTENS Looking to order a cap and gown, graduation announcements, of Class of 2021 gear for your student? Click Here | Top Jobs in San Antonio Currently the healthcare field has the highest job demand in San Antonio with jobs open in multiple healthcare systems across the city. The next employers seeking new employees are USAA and HEB in a variety of positions. Click HERE to find out more about the current job market in San Antonio. |
We Are Now On Canvas!
This is a great resource for you student about all things college and career related.
Senior Orders from JOSTENS
Top Jobs in San Antonio
The next employers seeking new employees are USAA and HEB in a variety of positions.
Click HERE to find out more about the current job market in San Antonio.