Counselor Connection
Morristown West Counseling Dept. Newsletter
February/March 2020
*****College Scholarship Deadlines*****
The following scholarships are open to students who applied and been admitted to the respective school(s). These scholarships require the additional step of a separate application. Eligibility criteria vary for each scholarship. Please note the deadlines and contact the school's financial aid office with questions. School counselors or Ms. Emerick in the counseling office may also be able to answer your questions.
MTSU DREAM Scholarship - due February 15
MTSU Foundation and Departmental scholarships - due February 15
ETSU General University Scholarship Application - due March 1
ETSU Midway, Fine and Performing Arts, Honors-in-Discipline and Presidential Honors Community Service scholarships - due March 1
Check out the document below for additional local, state, and national scholarship information!!
Underclassmen Planning Night
Tuesday, Feb 18, 2020, 05:30 PM
Morristown-Hamblen West High School, Trojan TRL, Morristown, TN, USA
TN Promise Mandatory Team Meeting
Below is information from the TN Achieves website regarding attendance and absences. Please click here for more information and to access the excuse form.
1. PARTICIPATION IN A SCHOOL-SANCTIONED EVENT (E.G., ATHLETIC EVENT, CHOIR CONCERT, NATIONAL OR STATE CONFERENCE OR COMPETITION)
- For athletic events, student must present tnAchieves with the game schedule AND a signed note from the coach.
- For other events, student must present tnAchieves with a signed note from the faculty advisor/sponsor.
- No rehearsals or practices of ANY type will be considered excusable absences.
- Club meetings will not be considered excusable absences.
- School social events (e.g., proms) will not be considered excusable absences.
- Any event falling outside of a school-sanctioned event will NOT be considered an excused absence (e.g., club sports, auditions).
- In order for the absence to be considered excused, a student must be a member of the school’s student body and an active participant in the event.
2. DEATH IN THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY
- Student must present tnAchieves with a death certificate, obituary or a funeral service remembrance card that is specific to the meeting date missed to remain eligible.
3. PERSONAL ILLNESS
- Student must present tnAchieves with a signed doctor’s note that is specific to the meeting date missed to remain eligible.
- Illness within the family is not an excusable absence.
4. CONFLICT WITH POST-SECONDARY CLASS SCHEDULE
- Student must present tnAchieves with a class schedule AND a signed note from the professor confirming attendance specific to the meeting date missed to remain eligible.
5. CONFLICT WITH RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE
- Student must present tnAchieves with a signed note from religious leadership indicating date and time of the required religious observance or activity that conflicts with assigned team meeting and confirming student attendance.
- No rehearsals or practices of ANY type will be considered excusable absences.
6. PERSONAL OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY EMERGENCY
- Student must present tnAchieves with valid proof that is specific to the meeting date and time missed to remain eligible (e.g., emergency room documentation).
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING TNACHIEVES PRIOR TO OR WITHIN 72 HOURS FOLLOWING THE MISSED MEETING VIA THE EXCUSE FORM BELOW. FAILURE TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT, EVEN WITH A VALID EXCUSE, WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF TN PROMISE ELIGIBILITY.
- Work, lack of/inoperable transportation, scheduled vacations including weddings and all other excuses outside those outlined above are not considered excusable absences and will result in a student losing his/her TN Promise eligibility. This includes meetings that are rescheduled due to inclement weather.
- A student who arrives late to a mandatory meeting will lose his/her TN Promise eligibility. Likewise, a student who leaves a meeting prior to adjournment will lose his/her TN Promise eligibility.
- A student who has an approved absence by tnAchieves must attend a make-up meeting to remain eligible. The student must attend the make-up meeting prior to the end of the scheduled team meeting’s calendar (i.e., If a student misses the second team meeting and meets the 72 hour excuse form policy requirement, he/she is responsible for attending another meeting before the conclusion of the first team meetings.). Failure to attend a make-up meeting for any reason will result in loss of TN Promise eligibility.
ETSU Promise Plus
ETSU has shared an exciting announcement about a new financial aid opportunity available to ETSU students beginning fall of 2020. ETSU Promise Plus is for first-time, full-time freshmen eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery (HOPE) Scholarship and the maximum Pell Grant. Promise Plus provides last-dollar assistance covering tuition and program service fees, PLUS more.
ETSU Promise Plus provides students the support they need to be successful and reach their dream of earning a college degree by providing:
- Up to $6,000 on-campus housing scholarship ($1,500 annually)
- FREE participation in pre-college programs including new student orientation, Preview ETSU (extended orientation), and early move-in
- A seat in ETSU’s first year experience course designed to support a successful transition to college
- Access to faculty and peer mentors
- Academic tutoring service
- Career support
- FREE membership to the Buccaneer Family Association
Students who have applied for admission, have been admitted to ETSU, and have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the verification process (if applicable) are automatically considered for ETSU Promise Plus.
You can learn more by visiting etsu.edu/promiseplus or email PromisePlus@etsu.edu.
Ned McWherter Scholars Program
To be eligible, the applicant must:
- be a resident of Tennessee, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and attend an eligible Tennessee college or university full time, and
- have at least a 3.5 unweighted cumulative grade point average, and
- have a minimum composite score of 29 on the ACT (or concordant equivalent score on the SAT).
An applicant may receive extra credit for honors or Advanced Placement courses and leadership in extracurricular activities while in high school.
An application, in order to be considered complete, must be accompanied by:
- an official high school transcript that contains the applicant’s high school grades through the first semester of the senior year, and
- an official ACT/SAT score.
Applications are available through the student's TSAC Student Portal . Awards are very competitive and are based on limited funding. TSAC must receive the completed application and required attachments by February 15.
Engineering VOLunteers for Tenth Graders (eVOL10)
The University of Tennessee is hosting the 7th annual eVOL10 for rising tenth grade students who demonstrate interests in engineering. eVOL10 provides an introduction to chemistry and awareness of engineering careers. The program will be hosted June 7–12, 2020.
Thirty-two students are selected to participate. Students live within a residence hall on the UT campus and engage in chemistry, ACT preparation, compete in engineering challenges, and tour an engineering industrial plant. Throughout the program, students team with each other to apply what was learned and work on an engineering design project.
eVOL10 provides a one-week experience, at no major cost, and includes the following:
- Orientation session
- Ice breakers and team building exercises
- Residential hall accommodations for five nights
- ACT preparation
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Supplies
- Campus life and recreation
- Engineering challenges and group design project
- Counselor-to-peer mentoring
- Engineering field trip
- Closing awards reception
Application Deadline: February 28, 2020. Apply here.
For additional information, please contact us by email at pre_eng@utk.edu or by phone at 865-974-0625.
High School Introduction to Engineering Systems for Twelfth Graders (HITES12)
The college initiated the first HITES12 program in 2001. The program identifies and selects rising twelfth-grade students who demonstrate interests within math and science.
HITES12 provides an opportunity to explore engineering and campus life at UT. HITES12 will be hosted June 14–19, 2020.
Thirty-two students are selected to participate within each session. Students live within a residence hall on campus, engage in hands-on engineering fundamentals activities, college life sessions, compete in engineering challenges, and tour an engineering industrial plant. Throughout the program, students team with each other to apply what was learned and work on an engineering design project.
All applicants must have a minimum ACT math score of 25 (SAT math score of 590). If you have not taken the ACT/SAT, but are registered to take it, we encourage you to apply by uploading your ACT/SAT registration page in the required field. Once your scores arrive, please log into your account and upload your scores by April 24, 2020. Priority consideration will be granted to individuals with complete applications by April 10, 2020.
The HITES12 program provides a one-week experience, at no major cost, and includes following:
- Orientation session
- Ice breakers and team building exercises
- Residential hall accommodations for five nights
- College life and preparation sessions with university staff
- Engineering department visits hosted by university faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students
- UT campus tour
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Supplies
- Campus life and recreation
- Hands-on laboratory demonstrations
- Engineering challenges and group design project
- Counselor-to-peer mentoring
- Closing awards reception
Application Deadline: April 10, 2020. Apply here.
For additional information, please contact us by email at pre_eng@utk.edu or by phone at 865-974-0625.
UTK 2020 Veterinary Summer Experience Program
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine is currently accepting applications for the 2020 Veterinary Summer Experience Program. Since its establishment in 1993, this program has been successful, in large part, due to the efforts of veterinarians and school counselors who help us identify potential applicants. Your assistance is especially needed as we wish to recruit students from various ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds. The program seeks to provide worthwhile opportunities for students interested in veterinary medicine while simultaneously generating a pool of potential veterinary students. To this end, the program has been designed to provide valuable educational experiences and acquaint students with all facets of our exciting profession. Students will shadow in local veterinary practices for five weeks and then spend one week in Knoxville as guests of the veterinary college. While here, they will be involved in various educational programs including lectures, laboratories, and clinical rotations.
To apply, a student must:
• Be a legal resident of the State of Tennessee and enrolled in a Tennessee high school or homeschooled.
• Be a current high school junior or senior at the time of application submission.
• Be at least sixteen years of age by June 1, 2020.
• Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• Be available for full participation (40 hours/week) between June 1 - July 10, 2020
• Have not previously participated in the Veterinary Summer Experience Program.
Apply here. All applicants must submit an application, an official high school transcript, and three reference letters. Applications must be electronically submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2020. Supplemental materials must be postmarked by March 7, 2020. All applicants will be notified of their status via email on or before May 1, 2020.
QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Summer Program
According to the QuestBridge website: "When you apply as a junior, your application will automatically carry over for the National College Match when you’re a senior, giving you a head start on applying for a full four-year scholarship to our college partners.The majority of College Prep Scholars are selected as Finalists for the National College Match".
The free online application is due March 24, 2020. Please click here for more information and to access the online application.
National Youth Science Camp
Registration Information
Summer Internships
Hamblen County high school students are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to gain paid work experience during the summer of 2020 through the CTE Student Internship program. There are a wide variety of choices in multiple career fields. Students can select all positions in which they are interested in applying. (Please note that options for freshmen and sophomores are limited).
Click here to apply! The internship application will close March 31, 2020.
Credit Recovery
Community Service Opportunities
These activities can be used to help fulfill the TN Promise requirement for 8 hours of community service. Any hours students complete must be registered on-line with TN Promise.
- Check the TN Promise website regularly for opportunities - you can filter by county https://tnachieves.org/community-service/east-tennessee/
- Check the bulletin board outside of the Counseling Office for additional local opportunities
Work Ethic Diploma
The Work Ethic Diploma was first offered in the 2015-16 school year as part of a LEAP (Labor Education Alignment Program) grant. The standards that students are required to meet to earn the Work Ethic Diploma reflect the skills and characteristics that are needed for students to be college and career ready. More than 30 Lakeway region businesses and industries guarantee an interview to students who have earned the Work Ethic Diploma and who meet other job-related qualifications.
AP Exam Dates
May 5 - Calculus BC, morning 8 a.m.
May 5 - Human Geography, afternoon 12 noon
May 6 - English Literature and Composition, morning 8 a.m.
May 7 - Chemistry, morning 8 a.m.
May 8 - U.S. History, morning 8 a.m.
May 8 - Studio Art portfolios due
May 11 - Biology, morning 8 a.m.
May 11 - Environmental Science, afternoon 12 noon
May 12 - Psychology afternoon 12 noon
May 13 - English Language and Composition, morning 8 a.m.
May 14 - World History, morning 8 a.m.
May 14 - Macroeconomics, afternoon 12 noon
May 15 - Statistics, afternoon 12 noon
2019-2020 AP Changes
The AP experience will largely remain the same but there are a few administrative changes that will go into effect in the 19-20 school year:
· Starting in the 19-20 school year, for AP classes that start in the fall, exams will be ordered in the fall. This process will be through the student’s CollegeBoard portal and the AP teacher.
· All AP exams will be given in May 2020.
· The cost of the exams will be $94.00. There will be a price reduction for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The reduced price will be announced from the state in the near future.
· Payments can be made by check paid to West High or online with the My Payments Plus account.
There will not be a paper registration form this year.
· If you have any questions, please contact the Counseling Office.
January 28th-February 28th for Spring AP Tests/Courses
Art
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Government
Human Geography
Literature
Macroeconomics
Psychology
Statistics
World History
Important Dates and Deadlines
REGISTRATION
March 4: Mandatory TN Promise meeting at 5:30PM at West High cafeteria (arrive by 5:00)
March 17: ACT for all Juniors
April 15: Deadline to submit Work Ethic Diploma Requirements
April 15: Deadline to submit Tennessee Scholars Applications
Nov. 2, 2019 - July 1, 2020 - complete and report 8 hours of community service (must report on-line) (Please note that students may only use community service hours performed between these dates.)
College Admissions Events
These events require registration. Please click on the hyperlinked college/university name to register.
February 22 Showcase Saturday
March 24 Eagle Experience
April 7 Eagle Experience
East Tennessee State University
March 7
March 28
February 29
March 21
Middle Tennessee State University
February 22 True Blue Preview
March 21 True Blue Preview
West High ACT Code 431-587 (Where your scores are sent)
West High Test Center Code 193810 (Where you take the test)
Upcoming Exam Dates
*February 8, 2020 - registration deadline is January 10 (January 17 for late registration)
*April 4, 2020 - registration deadline is February 28 (March 13 for late registration)
June 13, 2020 - registration deadline is May 8 (May 22 for late registration)
July 18, 2020 - registration deadline is June 19 (June 26 for late registration)
Please visit www.act.org for information about late registration and photo upload deadlines.
*The test will be administered at Morristown West High School on these dates
Students will not be admitted to the test center without an admission ticket.
March 14, 2020 - registration deadline February 14 (March 3 for late registration)
May 2, 2020 - registration deadline April 3 (April 21 for late registration)
June 6, 2020 - registration deadline May 8 (May 27 for late registration)
Duke Summer Session
- Summer College for High School Students – US Students
- Summer College for High School Students – International Students
- Summer Academy for High School Students
- Accelerated STEM Academy
Counseling Office Contact Information
Students are assigned by the first letter of their last name.
- Tonya Ely: Students A-E
Erica Gillett: Students F-L
Renae Byrd: Students M-R
Melanie Justis: Students S-Z
Aimee Howerton: Counseling Office Secretary
Office Contact Information:
Fax- 423-585-3791