Little Elm High School
Weekly Newsletter -January 28, 2018
Academic Competition Session has Arrived
Join in the excitement - Support our Lobos!
Program Spotlight: DECA
DECA is a student organization whose members are smart dedicated individuals involved in preparing for successful careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA members are experienced in workplace skills and are leaders within their peer groups and communities. The majority, generally Juniors and Seniors in high school, hold jobs and many own their own businesses. Eighty-six percent of DECA members will pursue post-secondary education. DECA is a co-curricular program, designed to be an integral part of the classroom instructional program. DECA provides teachers and members with educational and leadership development activities to merge with the classroom instructional program, teaching the skills that a successful career in business requires.
To accomplish DECA’s goal of providing authentic, experiential learning to prepare members for college and careers, DECA uses on-the-job experience, chapter projects, and competency based competitive events in 35 occupational areas. The LEHS DECA chapter also plans and hosts the LEHS College Fair each fall, organizes and promotes the annual campus canned food drive, and sponsors a Prom Fashion Show each year. Chapter activities are recognized as a part of the total educational program because they develop leadership skills, professional attitudes, business competency, citizenship characteristics and social growth of the individual. DECA activities provide members with opportunities to serve in leadership roles, work in teams and receive local, state and international recognition.
If students are interested in a career in the areas of marketing, finance, hospitality or management, they should talk to their counselor to find the courses that will support their career goals and then see Mr. Hutley to find out how to join DECA. A wise man once said, “Passion is the difference between having a job or having a career.” DECA can help students find their passion and ultimately find their career.
Program Spotlight: Academic Decathlon
What is Academic Decathlon? Teams of nine high school students compete in academic events. The makeup of each of the nine member teams must include three A students, three B students, and three C or below students. Academic Decathletes take 30-minute multiple-choice tests in the subjects of Art, Economics, Music, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. In addition, each team member gives a planned 4-minute Speech and a 2-minute impromptu Speech, participates in a 7 minute Interview, and has 50 minutes to write an Expository Essay. The Super Quiz Relay, the final event, is open to the public and features questions from subject matters including Art, Economics, Music, Language and Literature, Science, and Social Science. All Decathletes compete in all ten events.
This is the third year that LEHS has offered Academic Decathlon as a class. Each year a new topic is announced for the following year’s competitions. This year’s topic is Africa. Teams begin studying at the end of the prior school year and over the summer. Teams then compete from October through December preparing to face off in Regional Competitions held across the state in January for the right to advance to the state competition in February. Teams are classified into three categories- Large, Medium, and Small Schools. Even though each category has its own Regional and State competition, only the top team out of all three categories may advance to the National Competition.
Our Academic Decathletes also compete in UIL Academic Competitions such as Literary Criticism, Ready Writing, Spelling, Social Studies, Current Issues and Events, Essay Contests, Accounting, Computer Applications, Mathematics, and Science. Academic UIL district competitions are held in March, regional competitions in April and the state competitions in May.
Students who want to be a part of a team and compete in an academic competition should contact Mr. Duffey, Mr. Hiller, or Ms. McKimmey. This is an excellent way for students who are striving to set themselves apart in the college application process as well as seeking unique academic opportunities that will shine on a scholarship application to gain some recognition as well as foster relationships with students who have similar goals.
Renee Pentecost
Principal
Little Elm High School
DECA District Competition Results
Team Events
Aimen Shah and Amy Lamberson - Advertising Campaign Team
Briana Zelaya and Nikolee Escamilla - Buying & Merchandising Team
Gabi Necastro and Samantha Doyle - Buying & Merchandising Team
Edel Fernandez and Nathania Arfah - Buying & Merchandising Team
Gwendolyn Learo, Martha Paz, Hazel Ibarra - Creative Marketing Project
Amanda Larrauri, Monica Martinez, Karen Baltazar - Hospitality & Tourism Operations Research
Abigail Resendiz De La Cruz & Shelse Juarez - Hospitality Services Team
Robert Granado & David Tovar - Sports & Entertainment Promotion Plan
Individual Events
Madison Bray - Apparel & Accessories Marketing
Sarah Krueger - Apparel & Accessories Marketing
Bella Argentine - Automotive Services Marketing
Deborah Cordon - Automotive Services Marketing
Lucas Roper - Automotive Services Marketing
Dalton Wilcox - Automotive Services Marketing
Chelsea Chang - Food Marketing
Kenny Wilson - Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling
Patricia "Vanessa" Silveyra - Hotel & Lodging Management
Donovin Wilson - Hotel & Lodging Management
Tyler DePonte - Human Resource Management
Katalina "Akay" Symuongsong - Marketing Communications
Joshua Buliga - Marketing Communications
Tajirah Washington - Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
Diana Villareal - Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
Andrew Mendoza - Quick Serve Restaurant Management
Holly Burroughs - Quick Serve Restaurant Management
Manday Mongeon - Quick Serve Restaurant Management
Isaac Willis - Quick Serve Restaurant Management
Taylor Esparza - Restaurant & Food Service Management
Analise Sumpon - Retail Merchandising
Maverick Swenson - Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Rodger Hutley
Marketing Teacher, DECA Advisor, CTE Instructional Team Leader
Academic Decathlon - Regional Results
I am proud to announce that for the third year in a row, your LEHS Academic Decathlon team has qualified for the state competition! We competed last weekend in Arlington and finished fourth in our region. Despite only finishing fourth, we are currently ranked 4th in the state. 8 of the 30 qualifying teams came from our region.
The team appreciates all of the continued support the staff has shown us this year. We could not do it without all of the volunteers who help judge speech and interview at our various competitions, but I want to give a special thanks to Mr. Scott Perry, Mrs. Jessi Vericker, Ms. Lindsay Crenwelge, and Mr. Kevin Hamlin for volunteering to grade essays in Arlington Friday, January 19 until 11:00 pm. That is the kind of dedication that LEHS teachers give to each and every student and program in this school.
Below is a list of our final team members and the various awards they won last weekend. Please congratulate these students if you have them in class or see them in the hall. They are amazing and put in countless hours preparing to make their school proud.
Diego Raygoza- 3rd Place Social Science
Melissa Chitakunye- 1st Place Essay, 3rd Place Speech
Melodie Malithong- 2nd Place Interview
Cesar Guerrero- 3rd Place Economics
Dennis Mills- 3rd Place Mathematics
Mirna Ordonez
Kathryn Laitinen- 3rd Place Language and Literature
Britney Meighen- 1st Place Gold Speech
Joseph Startz
Sincerely,
Mr. Sean Duffey
Pre-AP English I, AP Lit, and Academic Decathlon
LEHS Pole Vaulter Sean McClellan an Update
This past weekend Sean McClellan was again in action. (See video clip below). He jumped a foot higher having a double PR day clearing 16 feet. He is gunning to break Hawk Griffin's record of 16.6! We are pulling for you Sean!
Yearbook Deadline This Friday!
ORDER AND CUSTOMIZE A YEARBOOK
WHILE YOU STILL CAN
There's something special about a yearbook, especially when the cover is personalized. But time is running out. Make sure to order a yearbook by Friday, February 2, 2018 to personalize your student's yearbook with a name and icons.
Sherri White--English Teacher
English III/English IV/ Journalism/Yearbook
LEHS 972-947-9443, ext. 21229
Seniors: Have you ordered your graduation Cap and Gown?
Senior Students and Parents
Practice Pays Off: Jazmín Regalado (Fort Sumner, NM)
College Board Communications 08/09/17
In an article titled “Student Shows Improving Standardized Test Scores Takes Practice, Not Money,” NBC News profiled Jazmín Regalado—a rising senior, student athlete, and aspiring medical student from New Mexico—who used Official SAT Practice to boost her test scores by hundreds of points.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
Standardized test scores matter — higher test scores greatly increase a student's chances of getting into better, more competitive schools, resulting in more choices for scholarships and financial aid. While teens may get discouraged from re-taking standardized tests if their initial scores are low, the good news is that practice and the use of free online sample prep and testing can make all the difference.
Just ask Jazmín Regalado of New Mexico.
Regalado, 17, is a rising high school senior at Fort Sumner High School. She'll be the first from her mother’s side of the family to attend and finish college. Regalado wasn’t satisfied with her initial PSAT score (the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) test administered by the College Board). She tested in the “red” range: meaning she needed to build her reading and math skills.
Instead of becoming discouraged, she sought the advice of a school counselor who told her to sign on to Khan Academy for free online tutorials.
“I logged on to the Khan Academy account at least an hour a day—here were some days I’d study for more than an hour,” Regalado said. “I’d look for specific videos for PSAT and SAT practice. I love the way they explain things in the videos. They give you sample problems and then you solve them.”
By the time she took the test again this past spring, her score had increased 101 points. Her SAT score also jumped 120 points when she took it in June.
Read Jazmín's full story on NBC News and watch her talking about Official SAT Practice below.
LEHS will provide a FREE SAT® during the school day on March 7th for Juniors
For the first time ever, we will be offering the SAT® to all juniors at Little Elm High School on a school day. Students typically have to sign up for a Saturday test date on their own, but we will be registering all of the juniors to take it on Wednesday, March 7th – free of charge! We think this will allow ALL of our juniors the opportunity to show colleges that they’re ready.
Each student will be allowed to send their scores to up to four colleges, universities, or scholarship programs for free, so students need to begin thinking about where they’d like to send their scores. They will have an opportunity to mark their four choices on their answer document when they take the test.
Students should have received an email from College Board with instructions on how to access their PSAT/NMSQT® scores from October, and on how to set up a College Board account. Please check your school email account if you missed it and set up your College Board account. Once you’ve set it up, you’ll be able to link it to a Khan Academy® account and take advantage of free SAT test prep. Khan Academy will give you a personalized study plan based on your PSAT/NMSQT scores.
Why practice?? A study of 250,000 seniors from the class of 2017 found that 20 hours on Khan Academy helped students increase their scores by an average of 115 points from the PSAT to the SAT. Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy helps students work on the areas they need it most. Khan Academy has 8 full-length tests written by College Board, video lessons, and thousands of practice questions – all online so students can practice whenever and wherever they’d like. And it’s free! Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy can be found at satpractice.org.
Questions about the SAT day opportunity see Mrs. Heller in Room 2100.
Questions about signing up or accessing your College Board account see Mrs. Keisha Brown in the library.
Need Dental Care - See Announcement Below
Handbag Auction Raises Funds for CIS
UNT College Visit - Details Below
Report Harmful, Harassing, and Bullying Behavior
LEISD has an on-line tool called "Anonymous Alerts" that students, parents, and teachers can use to report harmful, harassing, and bullying type behaviors. Anonymous Alerts bullying reporting mobile app helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressures are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome. Anonymous Alerts encourages students, parents and staff to quickly, easily, and anonymously report bullying, cyber-bullying, gang-related issues, and other sensitive topics through private messages to school officials by building. All reports remain completely anonymous even during a two-way email conversation, although submitters have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer to have a person-to-person discussion.
To send a report from the Web/Internet go to: www.anonymousalerts.com/littleelmisd/
To send a report from your phone:
- Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play store, and the Chrome store
- Start the App, enter login: leisd and password: leisd
- Send important reports to school officials
- Add a screen shot or photo about the incident
Scholarship Opportunities
Five New Scholarship Opportunities Below
#1) DEADLINE FEBRUARY 15, 2018
NTCRA scholarships are available for the second year and the application is posted. Application deadlines are February 15th. Please share this information to your students interested in pursuing/ continuing their education in Environmental Sustainability at a college here, in the North Texas area. This is for a one-time scholarship of $500 per year presented to up to 3 candidates.
For more information and to apply to the scholarship, visit our website at: http://ntcra.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/NTCRA-Env-Scholarship.pdf or download the attached PDF.
#2) DEADLINE AUGUST 31, 2018
NursingSchoolsAlmanac.com has just launched its fourth annual Aspiring Nurse Scholarship. Our website will award a $1,000 scholarship to a future nurse in the high school graduating class of 2018.
We will award this scholarship to the applicant who best demonstrates:
+ A track record of academic excellence, particularly in science and mathematics
+ A passion for the nursing profession and the overall field of healthcare
This scholarship competition is open to all high school seniors who plan to pursue college education in nursing, including LPN / LVN, ADN, and BSN programs. Scholarship applications will be accepted until midnight on August 31, 2018.
Interested students may visit https://www.nursingschoolsalmanac.com and click the banner on the right-hand side of the website's homepage. Here they'll find detailed scholarship information and the official application form.
#3) DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2018 (HURRY THIS ONE DUE WEDNESDAY!)
Prestige Portraits will award three $1,000 scholarships to students to support their future academic and career goals. Eligibility: Applicants must have been photographed by Prestige Portraits for their 2018 senior portraits. They must also be seniors attending a high school where Prestige Portraits photographs the Class of 2018. Application can be downloaded here.
#4) DEADLINE FEBRUARY 5, 2018
Each year, the "We the Students" essay competition gives high-school students from across the U.S. a chance to share their perspectives on a trending topic.
This year, students are being asked to consider what role the government should play in monitoring internet content and they will have a chance to win $20,000+ in scholarships and prizes for the winning essays, including:
- 1st Place – $5,000 and a scholarship to our 2018 Constitutional Academy in Washington, D.C.
- Runners Up – Six prizes at $1,250 each.
- Honorable Mentions – Eight prizes at $500 each.
Sign up and submit your 500-800-word essay before February 5, 2018.
#5) DEADLINE FEBRUARY 1, 2017 (HURRY THIS ONE HAS TO BE SUBMITTED BY 5 PM THURSDAY!)
No one succeeds in college alone. That's why the Jackie Robinson Foundation offers promising minority students not only a generous four-year grant to assist with the costs of attending college, but a full support network of fellow scholars, alumni, and professional mentors to help them excel in school and beyond.
The deadline for applications is February 1, 2018! To be eligible for a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship, an applicant must: The required components of the Jackie Robinson Foundation application are:
Through its Mentoring and Leadership Development Program, the Jackie Robinson Foundation provides scholarships of up to $30,000 over four years to minority high school students showing leadership potential and demonstrating financial need to attend an accredited 4-year college or university of their choice.
8th Annual Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 23, 2018
The Dallas Mavericks, Harrison Barnes and Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. have teamed up to present the 8th annual Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program to DFW Metroplex high school seniors in financial need. Seniors will have the opportunity to apply for one (1) of four (4) $5,000 scholarships. See link below for eligibility and details.
https://www.mavs.com/community/education-and-recognition/scholarship/
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest
Deadline: February 28, 2018
I am a living legend. In honor of Black History Month and those who changed history, Regions is giving students an opportunity to embrace their own legacies. Tell us about an African-American who has inspired you by entering the Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Essay Contest, and you could earn a $5,000 or $3,500 college scholarship.
Scholarship Search Site - Provided by College Board
College Covered
While you are there, check out the website College Covered. Do you want to know what you need in a winning college essay, what college entrance test score you need, or what makes a top notch college application? Get what you need to help get into the college of your dreams with the help of College Covered.
An App Matches Students with College Scholarships They Can Use
National Honor Society Scholarship
2017–18 Program Timeline
October 6—Application available.
January 30—Deadline for student applications.
February 5—Deadline for adviser and principal recommendations and certification. One other faculty recommendation is also due.
Early May—Recipients and their schools will be notified by letter and email.
Late May—Nonrecipients will be notified by email.
June—List of 2017-18 NHS Scholarship recipients posted on the NHS website.
July 1—Deadline to accept, decline, or defer award.
Early August—Scholarship checks mailed to recipients’ home addresses, made payable to the recipient's designated college or university.
2017–18 Award Distribution
475 national semifinalists - $2,850 scholarship
24 national finalists - $5,150 scholarship
1 national winner - $22,650 scholarship
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
All NHS members also have access to NHS Scholar Dollars, a scholarship search tool powered by College Board. This tool expedites the scholarship search process, offering filtered results based on the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Use the tool at www.nhs.us/scholardollars.
BETTIE DOROTHY REMEMBRANCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
This scholarship is to honor Bettie Gonzalez, mother of six, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 38. The scholarship is available to any college bound girl who is motherless for any reason. We believe that every young woman should have a chance at achieving her goals and fulfilling her dreams. We would like to be a part of empowering her on that journey toward her education goals. We are looking for that young woman who is motivated to do all she can to achieve her dreams!
Amount
The $1,000 Scholarship will be divided equally between semesters in the first year. Mentoring will also be provided if desired.
Payment
Funds will be released upon proof of enrollment. It is the responsibility of the recipient to send documentation confirming enrollment for each semester. The check will be made out jointly to the recipient and junior college, college, or university of the student’s choice.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or legal, permanent resident with a permanent resident card
- Graduating high school senior
- Motherless daughter who is motivated to achieve her dreams
Application Process
Applications are available Nov. 1, 2016 and may be downloaded from www.BDGhope.org
To be considered, applicants must send or email completed application by March 15th , 2017 to: Bettie D. Gonzalez Foundation of Hope 1472 Sandstone Dr. Frisco, TX 75034 Or email to: scholarhip@BDGhope.org
Application can be downloaded from here.
Students whose parents or family are on the Bettie D. Gonzalez Foundation Board of Directors are not eligible for this scholarship. For questions, please contact: info@BDGhope.org
Whether through essays or multimedia, you've used your voices to share visions for a better world. So here's your chance to put them to action! Submit a proposal for how you'll better your community. Because this will be a much more rigorous process with multiple rounds, we're also raising the bar for tuition awards: from five $1,000 tuition awards to five $10,000 tuition awards! We will also fund the top project up to $5,000.
The PROCESS:We will be breaking the process into 3 rounds, using the principles of design thinking:
- Read the Rules and Terms & Conditions (below)
- Design and submit your ROUND 1 proposal:
- First 3 stages of design thinking Launch cycle
- Students submit overall proposal based on the Ford Institute community building principles
- We select applications based on their completion, seriousness, and viability, offering feedback for those approved to move on to round 2.
- Deadline: February 11, 2018, 11:59 MST
- Design and submit your ROUND 2 artifact:
- Next 3 phases of design thinking launch cycle (all but the final launch)
- Students submit an artifact representing their progress and learning
- We give additional feedback
- Deadline: March 18, 2018, 11:59 MST
- Design and submit your ROUND 3 reflection:
- LAUNCH phase of design thinking launch cycle.
- Students submit a final reflection that shares how their project is doing one of the following: 1) increasing connections, 2)building capacity, or 3) taking community-led action. They also share their ideas for acquiring further funding, in addition to the $5,000 from HGU if selected as the top finalist.
- Include a video of yourself working on your project
- Deadline: April 15, 2018 at 11:59 MST.
- We select 5 winners to receive $10,000 tuition scholarships to their colleges, with the top one receiving $5,000 funding to launch their project into the design thinking cycle once more during the summer of 2018 to maximize impact.
CLICK HERE for more details and FAQs on each round.
Are You Planning on being a Civil Engineer? Then check out this grant.
The Texas Dept. of Transportation offers a Conditional Grant Program to eligible students pursuing a degree in civil engineering or a department-approved operational business discipline. The Conditional Grant Program will consider both Texas public and private four-year institutions.
Students accepted into the program receive up to $3,000 per semester or $6,000 per academic year for tuition, based on financial need.
The application may be downloaded at: http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/hrd/cgp-application.pdf , completed and mailed to the address below.
Mail application packets to: Texas Department of Transportation
HRD/Employment Opportunities/CGP
125 East 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701-2483
Applications to the Conditional Grant Program must be post marked prior to March 1st.
Little Elm High School
Chris Reza - Associate Principal (creza@littleelmisd.net)
Alen Palislamovic - White House Principal A - D (apalislamovic@littleelmisd.net)
Ruben Molinar - Grey House Principal E - K (rmolinar@littleelmisd.net)
Kyle Heller - Blue House Principal L - Ra (kheller@littleelmisd.net)
Terilyn Thomas-Monday - Gold House Principal Re - Z (tthomas-monday@littleelmisd.net)
Website: http://www.littleelmisd.net/Domain/9
Location: 1900 Walker Lane, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 947-9443
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Elm-High-School/736775073135970?notif_t=page_fan
Twitter: @LittleElmHS