Counselor’s Corner
January 19, 2016
Finis Heidel Trust Scholarship
Heidel Scholarship applications are available in the HHS Guidance Office. Scholarships will be awarded to 2016 graduates of Lea County High Schools who meet all of the qualifying criteria as stipulated in the application. Only students who will attend New Mexico schools or universities or surrounding Texas schools that waive out-of-state tuition for all New Mexico students will be eligible to apply. Private schools are not included unless they are in New Mexico. The due date for this application is March 23, 2016.
Ursula Wilcox Memorial Scholarship
Ursula Wilcox called Hobbs “home” for the 33 years prior to her passing in 2012. Education was very important to her. Her five children all graduated from Hobbs High School and went on to receive college degrees. Mrs. Wilcox was a substitute teacher at Hobbs High School between 1994 and 2004. She very much enjoyed her association with the faculty, staff, and students during this time. One of the things she appreciated most was working with students with strong moral character and integrity, respectful students who worked hard and were mindful of others. She herself was an excellent example of these qualities. It is in her honor that this scholarship is given by the Wilcox Family. The scholarship is a one-time award of $2,500 payable to the school of your choice. All parts of the application are due to Mr. Ayers by Friday, March 25, 2016. Applications are available in the Counseling Office.
2016 NMAASBO
The 2016 NMASBO Scholarship Information (Guidelines and Applications) are posted on our website nmasbo.org under Recognition (high school scholarships page). The deadline to submit/postmark the scholarship is Friday, March 4, 2016.
Buick Achievers Scholarship Program
College bound and community-minded. We applaud you. Let us help. Extraordinary people all have a story: Seeking to overcome obstacles, the steps they have taken, bettering themselves and their communities. The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program recognizes and supports their journey. We want to help those who put forth the effort to find success both in and out of the classroom, yet are unable to attend college without financial assistance. Visit our website for more information: www.buickachievers.com. The application deadline is February 29.
RYLA Camp
RYLA campers are high school juniors who have excelled in one or more areas of high school involvement and who have proven leadership potential. They typically have good academic records, hold offices and are involved in other student, sports, or community activities. If you have an interest in RYLA camp, you should talk to your high school counselor.
New Mexico Federation of Republican Women 2016 Scholarship
It is with great pleasure that the New Mexico Federation of Republican Women distribute copies of our scholarship application. Applications are available in the HHS Counseling Office. Applications are due March 15.
Missouri Valley College in Marshall Mo.
Marshall Valley offers more than 30 academic programs, study abroad, and 13 sports. Scholarships are available for students wanting to major in business, education, and criminal justice, just to name a few. For more information, please visit www.moval.edu.
Howard R Stroup Scholarship
The Howard R Stroup Scholarship will provide $500 tuition at New Mexico State University, for two consecutive semesters during the recipient’s freshman year. Applications are due March 4. For more information, please stop by the HHS Counseling Office.
State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarship
Are you a high school senior planning to attend college, technical, or vocational school? The State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarship doesn’t require a high GPA, but rather focuses on students who are leaders and volunteers in their communities and demonstrate financial need. The deadline to apply is March 2. For more information, please visit https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/statefarmgoodneighborscholarship/.
Western New Mexico University’s Mustang Showcase 2016
The Western New Mexico University Admissions Office is hosting our annual Mustang Showcase for high school students on Saturday, March 19. The free event includes lunch, a campus tour, and presentations by academic departments and the awarding of scholarships. Interested students can register online at http://admissions.wnmu.edu/showcase.
Bezos Scholars Program
Bezos Scholars Program is delighted to announce that they are now accepting applications from public high school juniors for the 12th annual Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute. The application deadline is February 16. This opportunity is available to high school juniors. For more information, please visit www.BezosFAmilyFoundation.org/Scholars.
Hobbs Schools Slate Annual Blood Drive
Hobbs Municipal Schools will sponsor its 2015 Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 27 in the old commons area behind the HHS Library.
The blood drive is aimed at high school students. Students who are 17 and older can donate without parental permission. Students who are 16 and meet the height and weight requirements may donate with parental permission. The blood drive is open to all individuals who would like to donate, and school officials encourage those in the community to come in and give the “Gift of Life.”
Donated blood will increase the availability of blood for the citizens in Lea County and our region. This year’s goal is 180 units of blood.
EVERY DAY—as we wake up, about 40,000 units of blood will be needed nationwide.
EVERY 30 SECONDS—10 people will need blood.
EVERY 30 MINUTES—someone like you could go through the blood donation process.
EVERY TOMORROW—the need starts all over again.
Anyone who would like to donate may call the high school nurse (Stefanie Shoults-Gomez) and make an appointment. Nurse Shoults-Gomez can be reached at 575-433-0204. Appointments are encouraged.
AccreditedOnlineColleges.org
www.AccreditedOnlineColleges.org is an education-focused resource that includes several comprehensive databases which allows anyone to search for accredited online schools throughout the nation, specific online degree programs, or online colleges in New Mexico that can help you pursue an education and career of your choice. Here are some of their pages that would be useful: www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/new-mexico/; www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/degree-programs/; www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/online-mba-programs.
ACT Registration Deadline
Juniors are strongly encouraged to take the ACT during the second semester of their junior year and again during their senior year. Seniors who have not yet taken the ACT, should register online by visiting www.actstudent.org.
Senior Class Reminder
The fall semester is winding down and graduation is fast approaching! Remember that 26 credits are required in order to graduate. It is every senior’s responsibility to know where they stand. If you attend HHS and you have any questions or concerns about your credits, please see Mrs. Gaytan in the Guidance Office as soon as possible. If you attend the Alternative Learning Center and you have questions or concerns about your credits, please see Mrs. Ruiz. The spring semester is the last chance to pass all necessary courses and earn the credits for high school graduation in May.
Senior Diploma List
A list of senior names as they will appear on your diploma will be posted in all government/economics classrooms, the counseling office, library, and principal’s office. Seniors, please double check that everything is spelled correctly. If changes need to be made to the list, please see Mrs. Ramirez in the counseling office.
Albuquerque Foundation Scholarships
Who doesn’t need help going to college? We offer $150,000 in scholarships. Each of our 18 scholarship programs were established by a donor with individual interests and priority areas. They represent a broad diversity of people who care about education. They want to help you reach your goals. Please visit www.albuquerquefoundation.org/student-aid.aspx for more information. Scholarship deadlines range from March 18 – June 23.
What Drives You? Jiffy Lube Teen Driver Scholarship Program
Your neighborhood Jiffy Lube owner in New Mexico is offering an educational and scholarship opportunity for driver education students and all teen drivers attending area high school. The unique “What Drives You?” scholarship program allows students to express their “inner drive” and personal ambitions with a simple 500 word essay—no other requirements. There are two separate scholarship categories. The “your turn behind the wheel” award will be offered only to those students enrolled in driver education during this school year and the “Teen Driver” scholarship award is offered to all other eligible licensed teen drivers. There will be an overall recipient of $2,000 in both scholarship categories. Also, we will award $500 to the school with the most essays submitted. Applications, guidelines, and complete eligibility requirements can be found at www.yourturn2apply.com.
Scholarship for 14-19 Year Olds
This contest is open to all US citizen or legal residents who are students between the ages of 14 – 19. In 500 – 800 words, answer the following question: The Founders believed in the sanctity/vital importance of the individual liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. To what extent (or in what ways) has our government compromised on these liberties in the name of security or the general welfare? In your answer, incorporate the principles and specific examples that support your conclusion. For more information, please visit http://billofrightsinstitute.org/engage/students-programs-events/scholarship/
Marine Corps League Detachment 1185 Scholarship
The League provides $250 for tuition and books to students for their first year of study at institutions of higher learning. The application deadline is April 2015. Applicants must have firm plans to attend college, a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, be a graduating senior at Hobbs High School, and must be unmarried.
Cappex.com Scholarships
Looking for college scholarships? At Cappex.com, students can uncover millions in scholarships from colleges, universities, private companies, foundations and more. Simply fill out a free profile and discover college scholarships from many sources. Search the world's largest single source of merit aid scholarships from colleges. For more information go http://www.cappex.com.
What parents can do to help
As a new semester begins, here are a few suggestions to help parents help their students to do better in school:
· Set up a homework area, free of distraction, well lit, and all necessary supplies handy.
· Set up a homework routine. Homework should be done at the same time, same place, and every day.
· Set homework priorities. Make the point that homework is the priority-before a date, TV, and going outside to play.
· Make reading a habit for your student, certainly, but also for yourselves.
· Turn off the TV. Limit when and how much TV to watch.
· Talk to the teachers. Find out what your kids are supposed to be learning.
· Encourage and motivate, but don’t nag then to do their homework. It doesn’t work.
· Supervise their work, but don’t fall into the trap of doing their homework for them.
· Praise them to succeed and convince them of life’s reality. Life if not fair at times which is why teaching them to be resilient, to work hard, and have determination is paramount.
Factors Influencing Admission Decisions (NACAC annual admissions survey)
Grades in Academic/Challenging Courses…………..80%
SAT/ACT Scores…………………………………….52%
Class Rank…………………………………………...31%
Grades in All Subjects……………………………….45%
Essay…………………………………………………20%
Teacher/Counselor Recommendations………………17%
Community Service…………………………………...8%
Work/School Activities……………………………….8%
Rules of Thumb about Scholarships
1. If you must pay money to get money, it might be a scam
2. It sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Spend the time, not the money
4. Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships.
5. Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship.
6. Legitimate scholarship foundations do not charge application fees.
7. If you’re suspicious of an offer, it’s usually with good reason.
Reminders
· The ACT will be given on April 9. The registration deadline is March 4. To sign up, please visit www.ACTStudent.org
· The SAT will be given on March 5. The registration deadline is February 19. To sign up, please visit www.collegeboard.com
· To receive messages of upcoming deadlines, events, scholarships etc. via test, text @hhscoll to 81010. You can opt-out of messages at any time by replying, “unsubscribe@hhscoll”. To receive messages via e-mail, send an e-mail to .
· Students who are in need of letters of recommendation, completion of college or scholarship applications should deliver them to the principal, teacher, or counselor at least three weeks before the deadline. Remember to beat deadlines, not just meet them.
· Mr. Greenwood is available as an additional resource to any student seeking information on scholarships and college. He is located in room 116 and is available during A and B lunch in the cafeteria.
Senior Things to do List: January
· As soon as possible after January 1 and when tax forms are complete (they don't have to be filed until April 15; you can use estimates), complete your FAFSA online (or go to www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov to download a PDF version of the FAFSA). Keep copies of all documents, including your PIN, in a file.
· If you can't attend financial aid nights, ask if you and your parents can borrow a video of an event from your counselor.
· Contact the U.S. Department of Education at 800-4-FEDAID for assistance completing the FAFSA and/or plan to attend a College Goal Sunday event (free FAFSA advice) near you.
Teresa’s Treasure Chest of Scholarships
· Karin Riley Porter Good Works Scholarship—interested in law and/or making a difference? http://rmd.me/cYFZ4. Due May 1, 2016.
· Golden Eagle Coins. Number of Awards: Monthly 1 winner. To Apply: http://rmd.me/cYDPM.
· Female and interested in pursuing a business degree? http://rmd.me/cYHd5. Due March 1, 2016
· Bulk Office Supply $1000 Scholarship. Focus on Art, Teaching, Business. Apply at http://rmd.me/cYzmy.
· Parents serve in the military? You may qualify to apply for these specific scholarships based on their service. http://rmd.me/cYxUb.
· Music/art scholarship: 320instrumentals Music and Art Award. http://rmd.me/cYyKZ?
· The NMAA scholarships are now open. Apply, apply, apply! http://rmd.me/cYwkY
· Cancer survivor? This site has several scholarships just for you. http://rmd.me/cYsrE.
· Build a Fort challenge--https://www.dormbedding.com/fortonfleek-challenge/
· https://buickachievers.scholarshipamerica.org/reminder/
If you have the passion to succeed—especially in fields of study related to science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM)—the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is looking for you. Go to link and request
information.
· Attention all college-bound women! If you’re pursuing a career in computer science, information technology, management information systems, computer engineering, or another related field, Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP) would like to invite you to apply for our annual Women in Technology Scholarship (WITS) program. http://www.trustvip.com/about-vip/community-support/women-technology-scholarship-wits/