Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER
Back At It
I hope with a shortened summer you were able to find time to relax and unwind a bit. Now we are back at it, with to do lists a mile long and many questions looming in the not so distant future.
Most of you have been anxiously awaiting your senior year. You are the first class to start a new school year in the new building. It is your turn, your responsibility, to lead this school and set the standard for underclassmen. My hope for all of you is that you take a moment to slow down and enjoy this time in your life. While discussions of future plans and finances can be stressful, you will never get to experience these milestones with these people ever again.
With senior year comes a lot of information that you need to know. Scholarships, senior deadlines, special opportunities, important dates and much more can be located here. I will be sending out this newsletter regularly to your school email, your teachers’ email and it will also be available on the school's website. It is YOUR job to read thru the information and see what applies to you. Please don't miss out on an opportunity.
Stay tuned and stay aware!
Senior Portrait Info
You should have received a postcard in the mail regarding senior portraits. It is up to you to get scheduled, either at the studio or on the makeup portrait day. I encourage any and all who can to schedule and take their portraits at the studio prior to the make up senior portrait day on November 12th.
If you have not received a post card you can call Lifetouch/Prestige personally and ask to schedule an appointment. Their office number is (256)382-2798.
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
Senior Meeting
Monday, Sep 9, 2019, 09:45 AM
Athens High School APAC
Junior Meeting
Monday, Sep 9, 2019, 08:45 AM
Athens High School APAC
Junior/Senior Parent Meeting
Monday, Sep 9, 2019, 06:00 PM
Athens High School APAC
Limestone County College & Career Fair
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2019, 09:30 AM
Athens State University Gymnasium, Pryor Street East, Athens, AL, USA
Senior Class Spirit Breakfast
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2019, 05:30 AM
Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits, US Highway 72 East, Athens, AL, USA
FAFSA Opens
Monday, Oct 1, 2018, 12:15 AM
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It's FAFSA time!
Ready or not, the FAFSA will open on October 1, 2019.
What is the FAFSA?
You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you want to apply for federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, also require the FAFSA. You must submit the FAFSA every year that you want aid.
The FAFSA is available in several formats, including online, PDF and paper versions. The best option is to complete the web-based version of the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov, known as FAFSA on the Web.
What are the changes to the FAFSA?
- The fafsa.gov website has been redesigned so that the site pages will fit the screen size and shape of any device, including desktop or laptop computers and mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets.
- The online FAFSA form will provide faster feedback. For example, students will receive error notifications as they complete the form's fields.
- The income threshold for an automatic-zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been increased from $25,000 to $26,000 for the 2019–20 award year.
FALL PREVIEW DAYS
Fall Preview Days are a great way to see many facets of a college or university. Go to a school's website to sign up online to participate in their preview day. If you cannot make the preview day, then sign up online for a tour of campus. If the preview day or campus visit takes place on a weekday, make sure to fill out a College Visit form in advance so that absence does not affect your attendance. College Visit forms can be picked up in the attendance office.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
September 23, 2019
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
November 18, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
October 19, 2019
November 16, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
November 2, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN BIRMINGHAM
October 5, 2019
February 29, 2020
JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
September 7, 2019
October 5, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO
October 12, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA
October 26, 2019
November 9, 2019
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
September 28, 2019
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
November 25, 2019
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI (OLE MISS)
October 12, 2019
SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
September 28, 2019
October 5, 2019
November 16, 2019
BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE
September 14, 2019
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
HUNTINGDON COLLEGE
October 12, 2019
November 9, 2019
February 17, 2020
Welcome Ms. Whitfield to AHS!
Hello, Athens High School!
My name is Anna Whitfield and I am your College & Career Coach. I am excited to work with all of you this 2019-2020 school year. Being your college & career coach I have a variety of things I can help you with (listed below) while I am here on Tuesday's and Wednesdays.
Some examples: college knowledge, how to pick a college major, college financial information, employability skills, resume building/writing, soft skills, completing/finding scholarships applications and FAFSA information.
This is my second year as a College & Career Coach. I service Athens City schools as well as two Limestone County Schools (Elkmont High School and West Limestone High School). I have a passion for helping all students find a career field that they will love as much as i love my job. You can find me around Athens High mainly in flex space areas. If you don't see me and need my help feel free to email me at anytime-- anna.whitfield@acs-k12.org.
I graduated from Athens High school- class of 2013, so I always am super excited to spend time with my golden eagle family! I am looking forward to meeting you all and helping you map out your future plans!
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR COLLEGE & MILITARY RECRUITERS
With the launch of the Eagle Empowerment app, we will be implementing NEW College & Military Recruiter small group meetings. You will have to opportunity to sign up to meet in small groups during Eagle Empowerment with representatives from colleges & the military, gain knowledge and ask any questions you may have.
Until the launch of the app, you may see Army & Marine recruiters in the lunchroom. Feel free to ask them any questions you may have during your lunch period.
CAREER & COLLEGE WORKSHOPS through ATHENS STATE
Need a Recommendation?
- Look at the recommendation criteria. It will be specific in who the recommendation can come from.
- Don't assume they will write one for you- ask.
- Choose someone with whom you've had a positive relationship.
- Provide them with a resume, what or who the recommendation is for, and when you need it completed.
- Let them know if it is to be returned to you or if they are to mail it. If they are to mail it, please provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope.
- Don't rush in the day before the deadline. Give them ample time to write the recommendation. A month before the deadline is preferable. The more time allow, the more thoughtful your recommendation will be.
Interested in taking the SAT?
Upcoming test dates...
November 2, 2019
December 7, 2019
March 14, 2020
May 2, 2020
June 6, 2020
Sign up at www.collegeboard.org
Sign up for the ACT at actstudent.org
- September 14, 2019
- October 26, 2019
- December 14, 2019
- February 8, 2020
- April 4, 2020
- June 13, 2020
Register at www.actstudent.org
Don't miss registration deadlines!
Could you use some extra ACT prep? Check out the opportunity below. The October ACT is your last chance to get your ACT up before some scholarship deadlines.
Need a Transcript?
Athens High School has now partnered with Parchment to order and send your transcripts securely. You should have received an email with a link and code to create an account. You can create an account with or without the code, but registering with the code is much quicker and easier.
You will be able to order a transcript and track the process of your order all online!
Some things you should know:
- For current students, the first 3 orders are free
- After the first three orders, there will be a fee of $5 for each transcript ordered
- Your FINAL transcript upon graduation will be free if ordered by June 30th of your graduation year
- Paper Transcript Requests for current and former students will no longer be accepted
The link to order a transcript is available on the school's main webpage as well as under the Guidance Page> Senior Resources
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
SCHOLARSHIPS
All scholarships and special opportunities will be listed here in chronological order. This section will continue to grow throughout the year. Keep an eye out as new information is listed. If you see a scholarship that you are interested in and need an application, those are available in the scholarship box in the Guidance Office.
- The Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships to students who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Awards can range from $10,000 to $25,000. Students can apply at www.scholars.horatioalger.org. Deadline is October 25, 2019.
OPPORTUNITIES
- The United States Senate Youth Program was developed to provide talented young people with demonstrated leadership abilities an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of America's political processes. Juniors and Seniors who have been elected or appointed to positions in organizations that relate to government, public affairs, history or community service in the 2019-2020 school year are eligible to apply. Ten students from each state will be selected for interviews. Two students from each state will then be chosen to attend the program in Washington, D.C in March 2020. Each student representing Alabama will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Informational brochures are available at www.ussenateyouth.org. Please see Mrs. Smith if you are interested. Deadline is September 15, 2019.
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Athens High School
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Phone: 256-233-6613