Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER
Refresh. Recharge. Don't Stop Now!
At the start of senior year, you were at the base of a towering mountain staring up at the fog-shrouded peaks. The path in front of you was well worn and clearly marked, but there are many obstacles in your way. You know roughly where the end point is (up!) but not where the exact path will take you to the top.
You are halfway through your journey now. During the Christmas break, I want you to take some time to refresh and recharge. You will need that energy to finish strong.
KEEP THOSE ACCEPTANCE LETTERS ROLLING ON IT!
Calhoun Community College Honors Program
Calhoun Community College is excited to announce a new Honors Program, beginning Fall 2017. For our initial class, we are looking for incoming freshmen with a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher and an ACT Composite Score of 24 or higher. This program will be especially attractive to students who are interested in learning and want to develop leadership skills. Some of the benefits of participating in the program will be top-tier Calhoun scholarships, dedicated study/lounge space, smaller class sizes, priority registration, dedicated advising, and Honors distinction on the Diploma and at Commencement.
Honors students will learn both inside and outside of the classroom with opportunities for mentoring by college and community leaders, service learning and community projects, job shadowing, travel, and conference presentations. We plan for plenty of fun activities as well: social and recreational events, lecture series, field trips, and attendance at cultural events.
Information is available on our website (www.calhoun.edu/honors) regarding benefits and the application process. Please feel free to contact Calhoun directly with any questions you may have.
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
FAFSA Assistance Meetings
Only TWO more chances this year 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. 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!
Please click here to reserve your time.
Tuesday, Jan 24, 2017, 01:00 PM
AHS Guidance Department
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
Start 2nd Semester
Wednesday, Jan 4, 2017, 07:45 AM
Athens High School, U.S. 31, Athens, AL, United States
NCAA & NAIA
Interested in playing sports at the collegiate level? Make sure that you have signed up with NCAA or NAIA. If you have an questions, please see Mr. Cliff Smith.
Sign up for the ACT at www.actstudent.org today!
- 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.
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
www.achievealabama.org
The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) and the Rotaract Club of Birmingham have partnered to launch the first state-specific scholarship database - AchieveAlabama.org.
The site is cost-free and is available to all high school students in the state. It houses thousands of university-specific and private scholarships. The site also focuses specifically on local scholarship dollars that are awarded each year by Alabama businesses and private foundations.
Registration for the site is free and voluntary, and all student data is secure and protected in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. No student information is ever provided to any third parties unless a student opts in to share information with colleges.
For more information about Achieve Alabama or to access scholarship information, please visit www.achievealabama.org.
^^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.
- If you have been accepted to the University of Alabama and are first in your family to attend college, both the Saban First in Family Scholarship and the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship provide students with a minimum 3.0 GPA a $5,000/year renewable scholarship. If you meet the above requirements, make sure to use the University of Alabama's Scholarship Application at http://scholarships.ua.edu/freshmen/index.html. Deadline is December 15, 2016.
- 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 Burger King Scholars Program offers up to $50,000 in scholarship awards for the 2017-2018 school year. You must have a 2.5 GPA to apply. Applications are available at www.bkmclamorefoundation.org/WhatWeDo/ScholarsProgram. Deadline is December 15, 2016.
The Alabama Army National Guard Minuteman Scholarship Campaign is to recruit highly qualified cadets to the Army National Guard each year. Recipient’s will receive tuition and fees or room and board, personal stipend, book stipend and other benefits. Must have 2.5 GPA to accept and maintain a 2.0 GPA to stay eligible. More information available in the Guidance Department. Two different selection boards. Deadlines are December 15, 2016 or February 1, 2017.
- 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 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program honors the legacy and character of our nation's 40th President by rewarding college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education. Through the generous support of GE, this national program annually awards $10,000 renewable scholarships to numerous students. Applications can be found at www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships. Deadline is January 5, 2017.
- 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 Beta Scholarship Program will award over $300,000 in scholarships with awards ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 to outstanding 12th grade Beta members. Applications can be found at www.betaclub.org/scholarship. Click Apply Now for details. Deadline is January 26, 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.
- The 100 Black Men of Greater Huntsville, Inc. are sponsoring the 2017 Scholarship Program. Seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA who will be entering a 2 or 4 year college in fall 2017 are eligible. Awards will be based upon demonstrated academic excellence and community service. Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 1, 2017.
- The University of North Alabama’s Department of Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene awarded over $32,000 for the 2016-2017 school year. Application for their endowed scholarships are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 1, 2017.
- The Alabama Office of State Treasury is sponsoring The CollegeCounts Scholarship to help more Alabama high school students pay for an education in a 2 or 4-year Alabama school. Informational postcards are available on the table outside of Mrs. Smith's office or at www.treasury.alabama.gov/collegecounts-scholarship. Deadline is March 1, 2017.
- The F.A.I.T.H. Initiative invites seniors to apply for the Bobby Bodiford Memorial Scholarship and the Dr. Constance Dees Memorail Scholarship. Two or more undergraduate scholarships are available annually. Criteria to apply is a 3.0 GPA, evidence of volunteering, reside in North Alabama, accepted into a college, university or tech school and have a demonstrated financial hardship. Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 18, 2017.
- The Athens-Limestone Education Retirees Association is soliciting applications from high school seniors intending on pursuing a bachelor's degree. They will award two $1,000 scholarships to Athens City and Limestone County Schools. Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline to turn into Mrs. Smith is April 15, 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
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
- Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant will take place March 3-5, 2017. Contestants must be 13-17 years old, and up to a junior in high school. Winners and participants are eligible for a lot of cash scholarship monies. Go to the website www.missalabamaot.com for the necessary paperwork.
- The Job Shadowing Program was developed by the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commence to help students identify career interest and to learn more about them. Any junior or senior is welcome to apply. Some time in February, students will spend 6-8 hours in the workplace observing, learning and participating (when appropriate). More information and applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline to apply is December 16, 2016.
- The 2016-2017 Optimist International Essay Contest is open to any student under the age of 18. This year's topic is "Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges". Contest rules and information are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is January 9, 2017.
- The 2017 Athens-Limestone Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Essay Contest is open to students ages 6-18. The theme for ages 13-15 is "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere" and the theme for ages 16-18 is "Letter from a Birmingham Jail". More information is available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is January 9, 2017.
- 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.
- The University of Alabama’s Rural Health Scholar’s Program is available to 25 11th grade students in the state of Alabama. The program pays for all expenses including tuition, housing, books and meal allowance. Requirements are a 21 on the ACT, a resident of rural Alabama for 5 years, currently in the 11th grade with a 3.0 GPA, 2 letters of recommendation and a statement of interest essay. Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 15, 2017.
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