The Howl
Locust Trace News for Parents & Students
10.23.20
Important reminders:
- Seniors: It's time to complete your FASFA if you are college bound!
Counselor's Corner
Dreaming of a Brilliant Future for your Student!
During last week’s Wednesday advising session, we began (or for some, continued) the dreaming process for students as they plan for their future career. The starting point for this series of lessons is having students define success, evaluate their personal values, and envision their ideal future. Moving forward we will ask your student to set goals and make a map to reach their own personal goal for the life of their dreams.
Some students are further along in the process of choosing their life journey than others. Locust Trace has some students whose lifelong dream of working with animals, running the family farm, or preserving the environment, drive their vocational interest. Many other students have a vague interest, but may struggle to put what that means into words. And others haven’t begun to even think about what happens after high school.
Starting the discussion early allows parents to be involved in their process of choosing a career path. When being involved early, parents offer students more experience and wisdom than students have available by themselves. Starting the career conversation early means guiding them in the process, offering feedback as needed, and suggesting alternatives the student may not have considered. We don’t have the power to CHOOSE the career for our students, but they do listen (even though it sometimes doesn’t feel like it). By entering into discussion with your student and listening as they start making sense of the information they are learning, you may show them options they never would have come to on their own.
From a practical standpoint, starting this discussion early can save both time and money. Waiting until college to decide on a career path, may result in taking courses that aren’t needed and changing majors multiple times. This usually means they spend longer in college and pay more in tuition and room and board.
Of course, choosing a career path early doesn’t mean they won’t change their mind once they start college, but it certainly makes it less likely, especially if they follow the process of career discovery as I describe below.
How to Help Your Child Choose a Career Path.
The basic process includes 4 essential steps:
Observation
Selection
Immersion & Evaluation
Planning
Step 1: Observation
You have the opportunity to have a great deal of influence as your student begins to design their future. From an early age you have observed your student’s strengths, interests, abilities. You certainly know better than anyone the characteristics your student possesses as well as where they may struggle. So first, consider writing down some of the observations of your student. This also might also be an opportunity to talk with your student about their own perceptions of their strengths and weaknesses. CAUTION! Just be a listener and a sounding board - this isn’t a time to be critical. You don’t want your student to shut down, so just listen and observe. Here are some of the things you might want to consider:
Are they athletically, artistically, or musically gifted?
Do they like particular subjects in school?
Are they exceptionally good at a certain subject?
Do they have certain positive personality traits like generosity, hospitality, empathy, etc.?
Do they have leadership skills?
Do they like spending time with certain age groups?
Do they spend their free time doing a particular activity?
Do they enjoy serving others?
Do they prefer working in groups or individually?
Are they self-starters?
Are they detail-oriented?
Is there something they are particularly passionate about?
Step 2: Selection
Based on your observations, you might want to begin discussions about possible career paths that incorporate those skills, interests, and abilities you have observed. You can ask them what dreams they have for themselves, or how they want to make a difference in the world. You may also directly ask them what careers they are interested in at this point (or NOT interested in, and why) or what careers they have learned about that they see as options for themselves.
If they don’t understand what a certain career involves, assist them as they research what it means. There are a variety of resources available and if you would like suggestions, please reach out – we are happy to help you with them.
Step 3: Immersion & Evaluation
Once your student expresses interest in a certain career path, begin immersing them in the subject. Let teachers know of the interest and they may be able to suggest ways to further your student’s exploration and skills for that career. The goal of this step is three-fold:
If they lose interest in the process of studying the career-related subject matter, you know that this career choice is probably not the right one. At this point, simply shift gears, and move back to Step 2 (Selection) where we brainstorm more career path options.
If after being immersed in the subject, they retain their interest—and especially if their interest grows into a passion— you can be fairly certain that they’re on the right path. Continue the Immersion step and move on to Step 4 (Planning).
Regardless of whether or not they discover their ultimate career path, they will have learned something new which makes them more well-rounded educationally.
Step 4: Planning
Once you have a good idea that a career path may be viable, the task of researching and planning educational options after high school begins. Depending on their career path, educational options may include anything from community college or vocational school, to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Visits to educational programs are a must at this point, so make sure your student reaches out to identified programs and visits their program. Allowing your student to “see themselves” in their future life can often be a big motivator to work hard to achieve those dreams. You’ll also use this research to help refine the high school plan to minimize tuition costs through dual credit, advanced placement, and credit by exam.
Please consider Locust Trace’s teachers, counselor, administrators and facilities as partners in developing your student’s career passion. You are the most important part of the equation and we want to partner with you to help your student achieve the life of their dreams!
Scholarship Listings as of 10/16/2020
Coca-Cola Scholarship - The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation supports more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, with annual scholarships of $3.55 million awarded through 3 nationally recognized programs.
https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/
Deadline: 5:00 PM EST on October 31, 2020
Coming soon—
The RACE FOR EDUCATION – A variety of local scholarships based up Equine and other Animal Science pursuits
http://www.raceforeducation.org/programs/scholarships
Search Engines and Scholarship Programs
Scholar Snapp - A free, simple to use data standard that allows students to reuse their application information - including contact information, essays, transcripts, etc. - from one scholarship application to another thereby streamlining the college scholarship application process.
Scholly – A mobile app that provides students with a fast and simple way to find scholarships for college. (Created by Christopher Gray, a Coca-Cola Scholar!)
Peerlift - Proven scholarships, internships, summer programs, and more gathered by fellow students like you. (Founded by a team of 2017 Coca-Cola Scholars!) Learn more about the creation of Peerlift.
Fastweb – Create a profile and let fastweb do the research on scholarships, internships colleges and more for you.
CashCourse – Information that helps college students stay financially informed.
Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation – Educational and scholarship opportunities for students of all levels.
Cappex – A free website where you can learn which colleges want you, before you apply and learn about more than $11 billion in merit aid scholarships.
Scholarships.com– A free college scholarship search and financial aid information.
Scholarship America – Provides information and resources for your scholarship search.
KnowHow2GO – Complete information on college prep, whether in middle school or seniors.
HS Finder (Hispanic Scholarship Fund) – Scholarship information for Latino students.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund – Provides scholarships, programmatic and capacity building support to the 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Gates Millennium Scholars – Provides outstanding low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline they choose.
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund – The nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).
American Indian College Fund – Provides Native American students with scholarships and financial support for the nation’s 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities.
Dell Scholars Program – Recognizes academic potential and determination in students that have a definite need for financial assistance.
UNCF – Awards 10,000 students each year through 400 scholarship and internship programs so that students from low- and moderate-income families can afford college tuition, books and room and board.
Chegg – A place to connect with scholarships and learn about colleges.
Reagan Foundation Scholarships - Scholarship opportunities for outstanding student leaders.
Goizueta Legacy Scholarship - Provides scholarships for the children of Coca-Cola employees.
American Indian Graduate Center & AIGCS - The largest scholarship providers to Native students in the United States, awarding $15 million in scholarships annually and more than $200 million since inception. For almost 50 years, AIGC has funded students pursing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in any field of study at any accredited institution of choice, working with over 500 tribes in all 50 states.
The NSHSS Foundation - The NSHSS Foundation fosters the growth of students pursuing the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), business, economics, public policy, and environmental science and sustainability fields. Through special programs, including the NSHSS Honor Society, the NSHSS Foundation connects young scholars with additional opportunities to advance their education, personal growth and career interests.
UK's Equine Experience Week
Registration due by November 1
Join us for UK’s Experience Equine Week scheduled for Nov. 2-6, 2020. This week-long series of virtual events is an opportunity for future students, primarily high schoolers along with their families, to learn more about the University's Equine Science and Management program. In addition to the topical sessions listed below, a number of virtual tours and student-produced videos will also be released throughout the week. These videos will help future Wildcats see the program through the eyes of current equine students. To register, please visit https://students.ca.uky.edu/exp_equine by November 1.
Topical Zoom Sessions
Equine Industry Careers and Alumni Panel Session
Monday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. (EST) via zoom
Future students and their families will hear from UK Equine Programs' internship coordinator, Savannah Robin, as she discusses the variety of career paths within the equine industry. Attendees will also have an opportunity to connect with UK Equine alumni and ask questions about their professional paths.
Equine Student Q&A
Wednesday, November 4 at 6:00 p.m. (EST) via zoom
Attendees will hear from current Equine students, learn more about the variety of equine-related clubs and teams, and play trivia.
Parent Q&A
Thursday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m. (EST) via zoom
Parents will have an opportunity to ask questions about the program, admissions processes, scholarships, and more.
If you wanted to share the event on your social media page or with a friend that would also be helpful as well. The event can be found at https://students.ca.uky.edu/exp_equine
Need help for setting up your iCEV account?
Need additional support?
Check in to our Zoom chat, open every Friday when school is in session, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Who should I talk to?
Mrs. Collins: Attendance, Daily Schedule (not available from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm)
Mrs. Fox: Counseling, Mental Health, Course Schedule Questions (not available from 11:40 am to 12:40 pm)
Mrs. Reed: Technology & Media Center (not available from 11:40 am to 12:40 pm)
Mrs. Vannatter: Dual Credit, Grading (not available from 11:40 am to 12:40 pm)
Mrs. DeMott: All other questions (not available from 11:40 am to 12:40 pm)
Remember:
- be respectful of others, limit your chat time to 5 minutes or less; any needs beyond 5 minutes, please reach out to the appropriate individual via phone call or email instead of using the Zoom link
- You may be moved to a break-out room so that you can receive individual assistance
- Please be patient in the waiting room as we help others. You will be admitted as your team becomes available.
- Your team members may have additional times when they are not available. When this is the case, another team member will assist you.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://fcps-net.zoom.us/j/95773355951
Meeting ID: 957 7335 5951
Still need to pay fees?
Locust Trace fees are $16. This fee covers all classes for the 2020-2021 school year.
Make check payable to LTAC and mail to
Kimberly Collins
242 Locust Farm Road
Lexington, KY 40511
Mrs. Collins will mail you a receipt after she processes your fees.
Student & Family Resources
Team Contact Information
Doug Ashcraft, Agriculture Teacher
william.ashcraft@fayette.kyschools.us
Randall Barnett, Custodian
randall.barnett@fayette.kyschools.us
Beth Barnott, Student Support Specialist
beth.barnott@fayette.kyschools.us
Katie Beeler, Health & PE Teacher
katie.beeler@fayette.kyschools.us
Daniel Bustle, Agriculture Teacher
daniel.bustle@fayette.kyschools.us
Kimberly Collins, Attendance Specialist
kimberly.collins@fayette.kyschools.us
Brian Craig, Agriculture Teacher
brian.craig@fayette.kyschools.us
Anne DeMott, Principal
anne.demott@fayette.kyschools.us
Janet Fox, Guidance Counselor
janet.fox@fayette.kyschools.us
Adan Henriquez, Spanish Teacher
adan.henriquez@fayette.kyschools.us
Ben Herald, Social Studies Teacher
ben.herald@fayette.kyschools.us
Latissa Higgins, Agriculture Teacher
latissa.higgins@fayette.kyschools.us
Fallon Jackson, Agriculture Teacher
fallon.jackson@fayette.kyschools.us
Nicki Jones, Co-Op Facilitator
nicki.jones@fayette.kyschools.us
Logan Layne, Agriculture Teacher
logan.layne@fayette.kyschools.us
Elizabeth Magedanz, Accounts Specialist
elizabeth.magedanz@fayette.kyschools.us
Kathleen Magsam, Agriculture Teacher
kathleen.magsam@fayette.kyschools.us
Toni Myers, Agriculture Teacher
toni.myers@fayette.kyschools.us
Meredith Reed, TRT/Media Center Specialist
meredith.reed@fayette.kyschools.us
Catherine Vannatter, Administrative Dean
catherine.vannatter@fayette.kyschools.us
Alvin Wells, Lead Custodian
Links for High Schools & Program Schools
Vision
Wolf Characteristics
Our students commit to the following characteristics:
- Welcoming
- Optimistic
- Leaders
- Versatile
- Ethical
- Studious
Wolf Behaviors
As a wolf, I will be:
- Respectful
- Responsible
- Safe
- Employable
Locust Trace AgriScience Center
Email: anne.demott@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: https://www.fcps.net/LocustTrace
Location: 3591 Leestown Road, Lexington, KY, USA
Phone: 859.381.3990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/locusttrace/
Twitter: @PrincipalDeMott