College & Career Weekly Update
Week of March 28, 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.*
The Cinderella Project
Wildcat Inspiration Award!
College Night Community Forum Hosted by Stuart Hall
Stuart Hall School is hosting a community forum about college for students in grades 9-11. The event is hosted at the Staunton Public Library (Meeting Room) on April 6th from 5:30-7:00pm.
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.
Recruiter Visits
United States Marine Corps:
United States Army:
United States Air Force:
Virginia National Guard:
United States Air Force: Thursday, April 14th
SAT – Important Dates
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
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/
Summer Opportunities
The National Youth Leadership Forum for Medicine is looking for nominees to attend a nine day summer session to learn about the field of medicine. You must be currently in grades 9 - 12. Students can attend seminars hosted by prestigious medical universities, and learn about career opportunities available. There is a cost for this program. Please see your counselor to be nominated and go to: www.NYLFmed.com for more information.
Scholarships
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.
Lexington Woman’s Club Scholarship – A $1500 scholarship is available for high school seniors graduating in 2016. Work experience is a plus. An essay is required. Please pick up an application in the Guidance Office and return to Ms. van Ravenswaay NO LATER THAN April 29, 2016.
Lexington Woman's Club - Quisenberry Scholarship – This $1000 scholarship is offered to graduating seniors who are in the top 20% of their class, who have a history of community service and who have been active participants in school activities. If you are going to apply for the Lexington Woman’s Scholarship (above), you do not need to complete a separate application. Return the application to Ms. van Ravenswaay NO LATER THAN April 29, 2016.
Glasgow Ruritan Scholarship – The Glasgow Ruritan Scholarship is available for students who desire to secure formal training after high school. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, character, scholarship, academic promise and desire of the applicant for further education or training. Preference is given to students residing in the Kerrs Creek area. Two letters of recommendation and a financial form is required. Please pick up an application in the counseling office. Applications are due to Ms. van Ravenswaay by April 30th, 2016.
Kirah Van Sickle Scholarship - Kirah Van Sickle is an artist who was an active member of the Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees and currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina. A scholarship was established in 2003 to recognize her previous involvement with and continued commitment to the Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees. Kirah’s academic background and personal passions are focused on fine art, particularly painting, so the scholarship will be awarded with a preference for college-bound students who have plans to focus in the fine arts.
REQUIREMENTS: Must be a United States Citizen
Must be a resident of Virginia
Must be a senior at a high school located in Rockbridge County, Virginia
Must have plans to attend a degree-granting institution of higher education with a focus on the arts.
SCHOLARSHIP: One (1) $250.00 non-renewable scholarship will be awarded.
DUE DATE: May 6, 2016
Nell Cooke Byers Scholarship: Nell Cooke Byers was an associate professor of art at the Virginia Military Institute and long-time member of the the Virginia Military Institute and long-time member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce who passed away before her 35th birthday. A scholarship was endowed in her memory by the Junior Chamber, which today is known as the Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees. Nell was an active member of the community, so the scholarship will be awarded with a preference for college-bound students with academic records worthy of recognition who have also been active in service efforts during their high school careers.
REQUIREMENTS: Must be a United States Citizen
Must be a resident of Virginia; must be a senior at a high school located in Rockbridge County, Virginia; must have plans to attend a degree-granting institution of higher education
SCHOLARSHIP: Two (2) $500.00 non-renewable scholarships will be awarded.
DUE DATE: May 6, 2016
Virginia Tech Alumni Association Scholarship: The Rockbridge Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association would like to invite you to apply for our scholarship to be awarded to a worthy high school senior who will attend Virginia Tech in the fall of 2016. The criteria for selecting the scholarship winner include academic achievement, participation in school activities, community support and financial need. We plan to announce our selection by May 28, 2016. Applications are available on the bulletin board outside the counseling office and must be submitted to your counseling department no later than noon, May 21, 2016.