BHS Counseling Newsletter:
Friday, October 1st, 2021:
Upcoming Dates:
October 12th: SDSU Admissions Rep in Counseling from 2:00-2:45 PM
October 12th: ASVAB, in the BHS Library from 8:15 to 11:18.
October 12th-DSU Admissions Rep in Counseling @2:15 PM
October 13th: PSAT, Auxillary Gym; morning
October 15th: Lafayette Admissions Rep Virtual Meeting @ 2:30 PM: Meet Here!
October 25th-29th-BHS College Application Week
October 26th-Pre-ACT
November 2nd: SDSU Admissions Rep in Counseling from 2:00-2:45 PM
December 7th: SDSU Admissions Rep in Counseling from 2:00-2:45 PM
*Please stop by the Counseling Office if you need a pass to visit with post-high representatives!
Counseling Office Happenings:
This month, we have been busy working with our students in many different ways. We are seeing many students for personal concerns as they naviagate the stressors of a new school year. We have had a great month interacting with our new freshmen students as well! We have also started working on career planning. Our seniors had a large group senior meeting via Zoom as well as Financial Aid Night. In addition, our juniors were able to attend Fall Planning Days at SDSU and visit with different college reps. Miss one of these meetings? Click on the links above to view the recording. In addition, some of our counseling staff have attended the SD Fall School Counseling Workshop and the workshop: Play Therapy, Anxiety and Perfectionism: Helping Anxious Children, Students, and Parents.
Programs To Be Aware Of:
The College JumpStart Scholarship Program: 10th-12th graders; This award can be used at any college or university in the United States. The deadline for the competition is October 17, 2021.
South Dakota Legislative Page Program: Each legislative session, high school students from across South Dakota have an opportunity for a firsthand look at the legislative process by serving as pages for the South Dakota Legislature.Early application is encouraged, the preferred deadline is October 8th, 2021, and the final deadline is October 22nd, 2021.
VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship: students from grades 9–12th-grade are eligible. All student entries must be submitted by midnight, October 31st, 2021.
The Big Idea Competition: October 31, 2021 midnight CST is the final date for each business idea and marketing design to be submitted.
NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing: Any U.S. high school woman in grades 9-12 is eligible to apply for this award. Applications must be submitted by the final deadline at 11:59 p.m. EST on November 5, 2021.
SD Governor's Student Art Competition: All K-12 students in SD are eligible to participate. Each entry must be original in concept, design and exectuion. Competition rules may be found at: https://artscouncil.sd.gov/events/student_art_Main.aspx Deadline for submissions is Nov. 12th
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: Are you a middle-level or high school student making a difference through volunteering? There is a November 20, 11:59 p.m. CST deadline.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest-Grades 9-12 are elibible to participate; must write and original and creative essay demonstrating an understanding of political courage; $10,000 first place; January 15th deadline.
HOBY Youth Leadership Seminar: This is a state leadership opportunity for sophomore students to make a change in their home, school, community, and workplace! It is a chance to make a difference and inspire positivity all around them! Participants will stay on campus, and learn about leadership! More information can be found at: www.hobysd.org To be considered for this opportunity, the application must be submitted to the BHS Counseling and Student Services Offices no later than 3:25, on Thursday, November 4th.
Academic Information:
ASVAB: The Armed Services Vocational Services Aptitude Battery test will be given at BHS on October Tuesday, 12th, during periods 1-4 (8:15 –11:24). All sophomores through seniors are encouraged to take the ASVAB! Interpretation will follow.
PSAT- Sophomores & Juniors who signed up. Wednesday, October 13th; 8:15 a.m.; Auxillary Gym. Check your e-mail for information about a pre-administration session on Wednesday, Oct. 6th.
Pre-ACT- Save the date! All sophomore students will be taking the Pre ACT on Tuesday, October 26th during the morning. More information to come.
Career Exploration Opportunities:
Tech Camps are an opportunity for freshman - seniors to visit the programs at Mitchell Tech and the “next steps” in the career clusters of their interest. Register here.
Business & Construction Camp
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Ag & Transportation and Energy Camp
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Engineering & Scrubs Camp
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Presentation College Health Science Day:
For Health Science Days students will explore various health careers including Biology, Exercise Science, Radiologic Technology, and Nursing. Students will be able to see x-rays, do hands on activities, and view our human cadavers. A great experience for high school students!
Feel free to email or call to sign up – india.klipfel@presentation.edu or 605.229.8486
The dates are:
October 20, 2021
February 16, 2022
March 16, 2022
April 6, 2022
MN West Law Enforcement Day: Thursday, October 28th, 2021
The law enforcement program at Minnesota West Community & Technical College, Worthington campus will be holding a law enforcement day on Thursday, October 28, 2021. The law enforcement day is set up to allow potential students to come to the Worthington campus to “sit in” on a typical day’s classes that law enforcement students attend while in the program. This will give potential students a feeling for the program and allow them to meet the instructors, tour the campus and program facilities, and receive information on the program. To RSVP for this event go to the Minnesota West CTC website at https://www.mnwest.edu/worthington-law-enforcement-day.
Thinking About A Career in Education? Consider attending an "Educators Rising" Day!
School Exploration Opportunities:
Discover DSU Day: Get ready to Discover DSU on November 5th! Meet up with professors, staff, coaches, club advisors, and students to explore how you will fit in at Dakota State. Tour our campus (including a glimpse of our new residence hall), learn about admission, financial aid and scholarships, and get an insider’s look at our innovative technology and how we put that technology to work in all our majors. Lunch is on us PLUS you’ll take home a FREE DSU T-SHIRT as a thank you for visiting.
Military Information:
Personal, Social, and Emotional Information:
Free Grief Support for Families~ "Sad Isn't Bad"
What I Can Control And Can't Control:
Each of us is healthier, happier, and more effective when focusing on what is in our control! It may be easier said than done... How can you do that? Here are a few tips:
1. Think about what you can and can't control. You can't control how someone else behaves, you can control how you react. Sometimes all you can control is you and your attitude.
2. Focus on the positive influence you can make. You can be a good role model, but you can't force things to go any certain way. Set healthy boundaries and rules for yourself.
3. Identify your fears. Usually, the worst-case scenario isn't as tragic as you imagine. There's a good chance you're stronger than you think! Focus your energy on more productive thoughts.
4. What's the difference between ruminating and problem-solving? Replaying conversations or imagining catastrophic outcomes is not helpful. Work on solutions! Change the channel in your brain, tune in to a different station!
5. Make a healthy plan for yourself. Meditate, journal, go for a walk, journal, rest, enjoy a hobby, talk with a friend, just make sure you are taking care of yourself! Find healthy ways to cope with stressors, or eliminate them altogether!
6. Positive affirmations. Create daily quotes, reminders, notes, or use self-talk. Combat self-doubt, negative thinking, or rumination by reminding yourself of your strength and abilities. You are amazing and you've got this!
Senior Class Of 2022:
___ Get and stay organized!
___ Keep a file of all your information.
___ Focus on your grades.
___ Exercise time management skills.
___ Start narrowing your college list.
___ Consider if early admissions is for you! (If yes, get started).
___ If applying to a 2 year or competitive program at a technical school, apply now!
___ Obtain letters of recommendation (make sure you ask recommenders in advance).
___ Start finalizing your college essays.
___ Gather any required documents.
___ Fill out the common application/apply to schools!
___ Double check your transcripts.
___ Keep applying for scholarships.
___ Arrange campus visits.
___ Update your resume.
College Application Week at BHS!
Seniors, have you been putting off filling out those college applications? College Application Week has been extended to six weeks! October 18th-November 30th is and opportunity for seniors at BHS to apply to participating SD Institutions for free! During the week of October 25th-29th, your BHS Counselors are dedicated to working to assist you in filling out college applications! (Remember, “college” refers to any post-secondary education, 1 year, 2 year or 4 year.) We challenge all BHS seniors to submit at least 1 application to a 2 or 4 year school! More information to come!
Free Application Opportunitites at Minnesota Colleges and Universities: https://sites.google.com/view/minnesotagoestocollege/site-support/free-application-opportunities
Financial Aid:
Lake Area Tech College Financial Aid Saturday
All Students Should Apply For FSA!
Federal Student Aid:
Types Of Federal Student Aid:
Scholarships To Be Thinking About:
Below are current scholarships that have been brought to the attention of our office. The date next to the scholarship is the deadline for the application. Please see our calendar where you may locate the scholarship description as well as the information on how to apply for the scholarship. You can find the scholarship descriptions and links on the counseling calendar on the date of their deadline.
Please note: If you are requesting that your School Counselor serves as a recommender on any scholarship application for you, it is a requirement that you provide a resume or documentation of your credentials summarizing your accomplishments, honors, skills, awards, employment, etc. to him or her.
Oct. 8th-AES Engineers Scholarship
Oct. 15th-Young Arts Scholarship
Oct. 19th-Heisman High School Scholarship
Oct. 22nd -SD Farmer's Union Foundation Scholarship
Oct. 31st-Coca-Cola Scholarship
Oct. 31st-Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Oct. 31st-Big Ideas SD Scholarship
Nov. 15th-Branson Shows Inspired Scholarship
Nov. 15th-Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Dec. 31st-SD Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
Jan. 13th-US Air Force ROTC Scholarships
Jan. 21st -Hy-Vee Sanford Legends Scholarship
Feb. 7th-Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards Scholarships
Mar.31, 2021-Young American Creative Patriotic Art Scholarship
Requesting A Transcript:
Requesting Your Transcript (Parchment):
Contacts For Immediate Assistance:
- 211: Every day people turn to 211 for financial, family, food, mental health, physical health, or disaster-related support. Your call or text is free and confidential.
-Avera Medical Group Behavioral Health Brookings: 1-800-691-4336 or 605-322-4005
-Brookings Mental Health Resources:
- Emergency: Call 911
-The Ivy Center, Brookings Behavioral Health & Wellness: 24/7/365 Emergency Services, available by calling: (605) 697-2850
- South Dakota Helpline: Find local resources here.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
BHS Counseling And Student Services Team:
Mrs. Jinny Struck, Office Assistant: jinny.struck@k12.sd.us;
Counseling Office Phone Number: 605-696-4124
School Counselors:
Mrs. Linda Johnson, School Counselor: linda.johnson@k12.sd.us
Mr. Gary Mork, School Counselor: gary.mork@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Randi Hartman, School Counselor: randi.hartman@k12.sd.us