College & Career Weekly Update
RCHS Counseling Department Week of 02/22/2016
Class Registration 2016-17
This year, counselors will be meeting individually with each student to discuss what courses they were recommended for and to discuss their plan toward graduation. Students will then bring a form home to be signed by a parent/guardian that lists the courses they have selected with their counselor. Parents, if you are not content with the courses that your child has selected or if you wish to receive additional information about their choices, there is a box to check to request a meeting with your child's counselor. Click here for more information about our registration process for this year.
The FINAL day for a student to change their course requests for the 2016-17 school year is the last day of the current school year.
AP Test Registration
Please click here for more information and to download the registration form.
The cost of an AP Exam is $92. You must pay this fee for each test you plan to take. Your payment is due with your registration form to Mrs. Miller by March 18. Fee-waivers are available to eligible students; please see Ms. Bateman before submitting your registration form for more information.
Summer School Information
or you may stop by the main office or the counseling department and pick one up. Please read the brochure carefully as there are some changes this year. Brochures are also available at both middle schools.
Scholarships
Foundation for Roanoke Valley Scholarships: This foundation oversees several scholarships for which RCHS seniors are eligible. The Alphin Family Scholarship; the Margaret Jones Irvin Scholarship; the Walter M. Otey Scholarship and the Dianne E.H. Wilcox Scholarship. There is one online application for all of them, but the requirements are very specific for each one. Please visit the Foundation's website for details: www.foundationforroanokevalley.org. If you need help with your application or any of the requirements, please see Ms. van Ravenswaay. The online application is due by February 26, 2016.
Virginia PTA Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to current seniors who are planning to enter teaching or other youth-serving professions. Students must maintain a 2.5 average, provide evidence of financial need and academic achievement. The applicant must submit three letters of recommendation, complete the application and return everything to Ms. van Ravenswaay. The deadline is March 1, 2016.
DuPont Community Credit Union 2016 Scholarship Contest: Each year the DuPont Community Credit Union offers $1000 scholarships to students continuing their education. Scholarships are awarded to one graduating senior from each high school in their service area. Applications, criteria and instructions are available at: www.mydccu.com The deadline to apply is March 1, 2016. DCCU would like to have at least three entries from RCHS.
Mary Davidson Bryan Scholarship: The Community Foundation is pleased to announce 2016 Mary Davidson Bryan Scholarship for graduating Rockbridge County High School students. An eligible student must demonstrate outstanding academic work, financial need, strong participation in school activities and community service, and a strong desire to attend college and plan to enroll in an accredited 4-year college or university.
Personal Statement Topic: Post-secondary academic interests
Additional Letter of Recommendation: from a clergy, teacher, or business professional.
Scholarship amount: $1000, renewable for an additional three years. The application information can be accessed on the Foundation's website: http://www.tcfrichmond.org/receive/apply-for-a-scholarship/ and is due to them by March 3, 2016 at 5 pm.
The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Allegheny: The Foundation manages several scholarships available to RCHS seniors. Applications are available on the Foundation’s website: www.cfrba.org or in the Counseling Office. Please have your application to Ms. van Ravenswaay no later than February 29th (if you want RCHS to mail your application). Otherwise, the application is due to the Foundation by March 4 at 5:00pm.
- Lexington High School Alumni Scholarship: This scholarship's typical grant is $500 for graduating RCHS seniors who demonstrate high moral values, a concern for others and involvement in school and community. Letters of recommendation and an essay are required. See the application for more details.
- Charles L. Lauck, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Typical grant $1000. Fund provides higher education scholarship assistance to graduating RCHS students who are involved in the community as well as the high school; financial need and work ethic are considered. Letters of recommendation and an essay are required.
- Jacqueline Corbin Pleasants Scholarship: This scholarship is typically between $500 and $1000, for a graduating RCHS senior; leadership, good citizenship and financial need are considered. Letters of recommendation are required.
- George C. Marshall Chapter of MOAA Scholarship: Typical grant $350-$500. This scholarship is intended for graduating seniors who are children of active duty, reserve, National Guard and retired members of the United States military. You must be going full time to a 4-year college or university and demonstrate good citizenship and leadership in school and the community. Letters of recommendation are required.
The Brownsburg Ruritan Scholarship - The Brownsburg Ruritan Club will award two $1000 scholarships to local students who show outstanding promise to successfully complete advanced education with either college or vocational training. Normally, at least one scholarship will be given to a student on track to complete a 4-year undergraduate program. A second scholarship may be awarded to a promising individual entering into vocational training. The criteria for these scholarships is financial need, demonstrated character and leadership potential in community and school activities, and academic achievement. Applicants should be from the Brownsburg, Raphine, Fairfield or Rockbridge Baths areas. Letters of recommendation are required. Please pick up an application in the counseling office and return it to Ms. van Ravenswaay by March 7, 2016.
The Granville P. Meade Scholarship: Granville P. Meade scholars will be selected based upon financial need and merit. Therefore, applicants will need to demonstrate academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and good character as determined by letters of recommendation and financial need. The application can be found at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/virginia_scholarships/granville_meade/index.shtmlA limited number of applications are available in the counseling office and are due to Ms. van Ravenswaay by March 10, 2016.
Kerrs Creek Ruritan Club Build Your Dollar Scholarship: This scholarship
Effinger Ruritan Scholarship: The Effinger Ruritan Club, as part of its mission to serve and support rural people and communities, welcomes scholarship applications from students residing in the Effinger, Collierstown, and South Buffalo areas of Rockbridge County. To help build and maintain a thriving local community in our rural area, the Club wishes especially to support students who attend trade schools, career training programs, or community colleges. Please pick up an application in the counseling office and return it to Ms. van Ravenswaay by March 14, 2016.
The Virginia School Plant Managers Association Annual Scholarships - provides financial assistance to individuals attending an accredited technical school, college or university where the student/applicant's learning is focused on building applications and studies in the area of building design, building construction, building engineering and facility maintenance. If you would like Ms. van Ravenswaay to mail your application, the deadline to turn in the application to her is March 11th, 2016. Otherwise, the application is due to the VSPMA by March 15th.
Society of the Cincinnati History Essay for Scholarship – This $3000 scholarship is available to a graduating senior who will attend any four year college or university in Virginia for the fall of 2016. The essay topic is: The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. Contest rules, applications and award criteria are available in the Counseling Office. The essay is due to Ms. van Ravenswaay NO LATER THAN March 16, 2016.
Southern States Scholarship Program - Applicants must be accepted at Virginia Tech or Virginia State University, and must be the son or daughter of a producer of agricultural products. FFA and/or 4-H experience is preferred but not required. If you are interested, see Ms. van Ravenswaay for a Southern States interest form to mail to your college.
Mary Conner Frye Scholarship – This scholarship is administered by the Justice-Frye Foundation in honor of Mary Conner Frye, who attended Effinger Elementary School. To apply you must:
1. Currently reside in the Buffalo District of Rockbridge County.
2. Have completed elementary school at Effinger Elementary.
3. Plan to graduate from RCHS in June 2016.
4. Plan to attend any state-supported college or university in Virginia.
The scholarship amount is for eight semesters of the published in-state tuition for the college or university and $2500 to assist with other expenses. If you qualify for this scholarship, please see Ms. van Ravenswaay for an application and information on other requirements. The application and supporting information must be turned in to the Guidance Office by April 8, 2016, no exceptions.
DSLCC Educational Foundation Scholarships: The DSLCC Educational Foundation awards more than $100,000 in scholarships each year to DSLCC students working to build brighter futures and better lives through education. Please complete the application at: http://www.dslcc.edu/scholarships. Hard copies are also available in the Counseling Office. If you are interested in attending DSLCC, please sign up to listen to a presentation on February 9, 2016 in the high school auditorium. Please contact the Foundation at 540-863-2835 if you have any questions. The applications are due to DSLCC by April 11, 2016.
Kerrs Creek Ruritan Club Harry Moore and Louise Swink Memorial Scholarships: These scholarships are offered to graduating seniors from RCHS. The criteria are that you have applied to an accredited college or university and be in need of financial assistance. Financial need is considered more than academic achievement and community service. Please pick up an application in the counseling office and return it to Ms. van Ravenswaay by April 14, 2016.
Jefferson College of Health Sciences Scholars Merit Scholarships: Designed for exceptional high school students the JCHS Merit Scholarship Programs serves to identify and recognize students whose academic achievement, SAT/ACT scores, and leadership potential place them among the region's top college-bound seniors who will be attending JCHS. The application is very detailed, so please read directions carefully. There are some copies of the application available in the counseling office, but it is best viewed online at: http://www.jchs.edu/institutional-scholarships Applications are due on April 15, 2016.
Rockbridge Area Leadership Scholarship: Our goal is to recognize future leaders, and encourage a sense of civic responsibility. This scholarship will be awarded to the student who has best demonstrated leadership qualities. A strong leader plans, initiates and organizes with a determination to succeed; perseveres in the face of adversity; focuses on the goal; and communicates effectively. This is not a need-based award. If you wish to apply you must meet the following criteria:
1. Must be accepted to an accredited institution of higher learning.
2. Must be registered to vote (if applicable).
3. Must submit references from TWO members of the community i.e. business or church leader, or elected official, who are personally acquainted with the applicant.
4. Must submit a reference from ONE high school coach, OR teacher/director of an extra-curricular activity in which you participate. (DO NOT include Guidance Counselor or regular classroom teachers.)
5. Must submit a type-written essay, not to exceed two pages, explaining why you believe you are a leader.
6. Must include a list of extra-curricular activities, clubs, work history, etc. during your high school years.
7. Must include a copy of a current high school transcript.
Return your completed application package to Ms. van Ravenswaay by April 22, 2016. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Rockbridge County Farm Bureau is again offering scholarship(s) to recognize a graduating high school senior or current college student from Rockbridge County for outstanding academic, community, and agribusiness achievement who is planning to continue their education in an agricultural related field. We hope to encourage students to pursue a career in agriculture or an agricultural related field at the two-year Ag Technology Program, a four-year university/college or an Ag Vocational Technology Program. Applications are available in the counseling office and are due to Ms. van Ravenswaay by April 29, 2016.
*Other Scholarship Opportunities*
Have you applied to JMU and are you interested in science? JMU has multiple scholarship opportunities for students interested in science. Please see http://www.jmu.edu/scholarships/prospectstudents.shtml. The Second Century Scholarship and Madison Achievement Award are merit based awards and the Centennial Scholars Program is based on financial need. The application for the Second Century Scholarship is due February 19 and Centennial Scholars Program is due March 11.
Recruiter Visits
United States Marine Corps:
United States Army:
United States Air Force:
Virginia National Guard:
United States Air Force: Thursday, April 14th
COLLEGE VISITS
SAT – Important Dates
May 7th SAT* at RCHS; Deadline to register: April 8th
June 4th SAT* NOT at RCHS; Deadline to register: May 5th
*Redesigned SAT
Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please see your counselor.
ACT – Important Dates:
April 9th ACT at RCHS; Deadline to register: March 4th
June 11th ACT at RCHS; Deadline to register: May 6th
Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please see your counselor.
*FREE* SAT Prep: Khan Academy's Partnership with College Board
College Board and the Khan Academy have entered into a partnership to provide free SAT preparation for students. You will have access to four official full-length practice tests, plus study and test-taking tips, interactive practice, thousands of practice questions, video lessons, and hints. There are also short quizzes and instant feedback. To learn more, please go to: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Become a Delegate to Boys and Girls State!
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program for current high school junior girls, to spend an intensive week of study working together as self-governing citizens at Auxiliary sponsored Girls State programs in every state (except Hawaii). Expenses associated with attending this program are paid by the Brownsburg Ruritan Club. Participants learn about the functioning of their state's government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens. Two girls are selected from each Girls State program to attend Girls Nation. Girls Nation "senators" meet for a week in Washington, D.C., where they run for political office, campaign for the passage of legislation and meet with state Representatives and Senators. Capping off the week of Girls Nation is often a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House. RCHS is proud to have one of our students attend Girls Nation in 2015. To find out more about American Legion Auxiliary Girls State for your state, go to the website, click on the locator button and select your state for the appropriate contact information. http://vagirlsstate.org/
www.vaboysstate.org/
Service Academy Day 2016 - Saturday, April 23rd, 2016
Camp Rising Sun
Eligibility Criteria:
Individuality: A wide range of personal abilities and interests; creativity; divergent thinking. Intellect: A capacity for academic achievement and the ability to think critically; curiosity about the world. Learning from Experience: The ability and willingness to learn from mistakes; using feedback to improve and grow; gaining insight from new experiences. Cultural Representation: The ability to represent one’s local or regional culture. Candidates should have lived at least 5 years in the region or country from which they are chosen. The application and additional information are available online at: http://www.lajf.org