Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER
You've Got to Move It, Move It
Taking that first step is always the hardest.
Regardless of what your plans are for after high school, you are headed into unfamiliar territory where you may not know exactly what to expect. That uncertainty can often lead to fear.
Fear can be paralyzing and can sabotage your dreams both big and small. It is most often in the first step where people get stuck because they allow that fear to take hold. To overcome that fear, you must face whatever fears you have and take that first step. The fear will start to magically slip away. Pay attention to the negative things you are telling yourself and STOP them. Look for support from people you trust- whether it be family, friends, and/or teachers. You can conquer the difficult and unknown, but you do not have to do it alone.
Consider this to be that p>u>s>h that you need to stop over thinking (or negative thinking) and start acting. I am here to help you along that path. But it is up to you get up and move it, move it!
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College & Career Info
Senior Portrait Info
You should have received a postcard in the mail regarding senior portraits. It is up to you to get scheduled, either at the studio or on the makeup portrait day. I encourage any and all who can to schedule and take their portraits at the studio prior to the make up senior portrait day on November 12th.
If you have not received a post card you can call Lifetouch/Prestige personally and ask to schedule an appointment. Their office number is (256)382-2798.
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
ACT WorkKeys
ACT WorkKeys consists of three elements:
- Job skill assessments, which are designed to measure foundational and personal skills as they apply to the workplace
- Job analysis, which pinpoints or estimates skill benchmarks for specific job positions that individuals must meet through testing
- Skill training, which helps individuals boost their scores
**Some Seniors will be taking the WorkKeys Assessment. If you received a form telling you that you are to test, you must here that day! Individuals who successfully complete the three WorkKeys Assessments—Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents—earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (WorkKeysNCRC®), a valuable credential for students and job seekers seeking to verify foundational workplace skills. ACT WorkKeys also offers additional assessments to measure interests, values, and behaviors that can lead to greater job satisfaction
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2019, 08:15 AM
Athens High School, U.S. 31, Athens, AL, USA
FAFSA Opens
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2019, 12:00 AM
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It's FAFSA time!
Ready or not, the FAFSA will open on October 1, 2019.
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?
- The fafsa.gov website has been redesigned so that the site pages will fit the screen size and shape of any device, including desktop or laptop computers and mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets.
- The online FAFSA form will provide faster feedback. For example, students will receive error notifications as they complete the form's fields.
- The income threshold for an automatic-zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been increased from $25,000 to $26,000 for the 2019–20 award year.
Fall Break
Saturday, Oct 5, 2019, 12:00 AM
Athens, AL, USA
Balfour Meeting
Thursday, Oct 17, 2019, 10:45 AM
Athens High School APAC
Balfour Orders
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019, 11:15 AM
Athens High School Cafeteria
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 a College Visit form in advance so that absence does not affect your attendance. College Visit forms can be picked up in the attendance office.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
November 18, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
October 19, 2019
November 16, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
November 2, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN BIRMINGHAM
October 5, 2019
February 29, 2020
JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
October 5, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO
October 12, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA
October 26, 2019
November 9, 2019
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
September 28, 2019
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
November 25, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI (OLE MISS)
October 12, 2019
SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
September 28, 2019
October 5, 2019
November 16, 2019
BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
HUNTINGDON COLLEGE
October 12, 2019
November 9, 2019
February 17, 2020
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR COLLEGE & MILITARY RECRUITERS
With the launch of the Eagle Empowerment app, we will be implementing NEW College & Military Recruiter small group meetings. You will have to opportunity to sign up to meet in small groups during Eagle Empowerment with representatives from colleges & the military, gain knowledge and ask any questions you may have.
Until the launch of the app, you may see Army & Marine recruiters in the lunchroom. Feel free to ask them any questions you may have during your lunch period.
CAREER & COLLEGE WORKSHOPS through ATHENS STATE
Need a Recommendation?
- Look at the recommendation criteria. It will be specific in who the recommendation can come from.
- Don't assume they will write one for you- ask.
- 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.
- Don't rush in the day before the deadline. Give them ample time to write the recommendation. A month before the deadline is preferable. The more time allow, the more thoughtful your recommendation will be.
Interested in taking the SAT?
Upcoming test dates...
November 2, 2019
December 7, 2019
March 14, 2020
May 2, 2020
June 6, 2020
Sign up at www.collegeboard.org
Sign up for the ACT at actstudent.org
- October 26, 2019
- December 14, 2019
- February 8, 2020
- April 4, 2020
- June 13, 2020
Register at www.actstudent.org
Don't miss registration deadlines!
Could you use some extra ACT prep? Check out the opportunity below. The October ACT is your last chance to get your ACT up before some scholarship deadlines.
Need a Transcript?
Athens High School has now partnered with Parchment to order and send your transcripts securely. You should have received an email with a link and code to create an account. You can create an account with or without the code, but registering with the code is much quicker and easier.
You will be able to order a transcript and track the process of your order all online!
Some things you should know:
- For current students, the first 3 orders are free
- After the first three orders, there will be a fee of $5 for each transcript ordered
- Your FINAL transcript upon graduation will be free if ordered by June 30th of your graduation year
- Paper Transcript Requests for current and former students will no longer be accepted
The link to order a transcript is available on the school's main webpage as well as under the Guidance Page> Senior Resources
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
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. If you see a scholarship that you are interested in and need an application, those are available in the scholarship box in the Guidance Office.
- The Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships to students who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Awards can range from $10,000 to $25,000. Students can apply at www.scholars.horatioalger.org. Deadline is October 25, 2019.
- Students who have experienced homelessness in the last six years are eligible to apply for the Schoolhouse Connection Youth Scholarship Program. A minimum of 10 $2,000 scholarships will be awarded. The program also offers assistance with other things from financial aid to mental health awareness and provides a network of people to support you before, during and after college. To apply, visit https://www.schoolhouseconnection.org/youth-leadership/scholarship-program/. Deadline is November 10, 2019.
- Each year, Huggable awards $1,000 in scholarships to high-achieving high school students who are supported by single mothers.More about The Huggable Supermom Scholarship is available at https://huggable.com/pages/scholarships. Deadline is December 31, 2019.
- The National Wild Turkey Federation's Dr. James Earl Kennamer Scholarship Program is available to seniors with a GPA of a 3.0 or higher and be active in community and school activities. The applicant must also hold a current NWTF membership and participate in hunting sports and hold a hunting license. Award amounts can range from $250 to $10,000. Applications are available in the Guidance Office. Deadline is January 1, 2020.
- The Smith Scholarship Foundation provides assistance to high school seniors who have "given back" to their community through volunteer activities or care of family while overcoming financial and personal challenges. SSF provide up to $15,000 a year in financial assistance plus opportunities for study abroad, professional training through its Internship Program. Visit their website for an application and additional information at www.smithscholarships.com. Deadline is January 10. 2020.
- 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 Toledo, Wentworth IT. You must have a 3.5 GPA and apply to one of the schools above. Awards range from $6,000 to $30,000 over 4 years. Applications available at www.waceinc.org. Deadlines range from November 1, 2019- February 15, 2020.
- 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 $1,500 scholarship. Senior girls planning on starting college in the fall of 2020 are eligible (except daughters of Athena League members past and present). Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 20, 2020.
Opportunities for All Grade Levels
- Interested in tutoring for the Learn to Read Council after school? Contact Shelia Alsup at 256-274-2366.
- The VFW's Voice Of Democracy scholarship program is open to all 9th-12th grade students. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national level. This year's theme is "What Makes America Great" and will require a 3-5 minute audio essay. More information is available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is October 31, 2019.
- Appelley Publishing Student Poetry Contest is offered to students in grades 3-12. Pizes range from $50- $500. For rules and online entry, visit www.appelley.org. Deadline is November 14, 2019.
- Students grades 9-12 can enter the John F. Kennedy 2020 Profile in Courage Essay Contest. Prizes range from $10,000- $100 and an all-expense paid trip to Boston to receive a recognition. To enter, visit www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest. Deadline is January 17, 2020.
OPPORTUNITIES
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Athens High School
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Phone: 256-233-6613