ACT Saturday Test Dates 2015-2016

Need to register for the ACT?  Go to www.actstudent.org

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE TEST GIVEN AT SCHOOL AND YOU HAVE NOT SET UP AN ONLINE ACCOUNT - YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE STEPS!
Go to www.actstudent.org
Create New Account
When asked the following - please check the appropriate box:
Registered - NO
Taken - YES
This will keep you from having duplicate accounts and having to call ACT.  :)

Test Fees:
ACT  $39
ACT w/Writing $56.50

If you have free/reduced lunch, see Mrs. Cochran about a fee waiver.

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Period (add. Fee)	Photo Upload Deadline
Sept 12	Aug 7	Aug 8-21	Sept 4
Oct 24	Sept 18	Sept 19-Oct 2	Oct 16
Dec 12	Nov 6	Nov 7-20	Dec 4
Feb 6	Jan 8	Jan 9-15	Jan 29
Apr 9	March 4	March 5-20	April 1
June 11	May 6	May 7-20	June 3

8th Grade Algebra I - please read!

Dear 8th Grade Parents:

This letter was sent out a few days ago to 8th grade parents. Please let me know (via phone or email) if you would like your child to take part in this class!

We are excited to announce that our advanced 8th grade students will be able to take Algebra I for high school credit this year.  This opportunity will allow them to be more prepared for the demands of the honors coursework that they will encounter in high school.  Students for 8th Grade Algebra I will be selected by test scores, previous grades and parent approval.   These students will also have extra time during acceleration (formerly flex) to work on their 8th grade math skills.

*Note:  Students will still need to take the four required math classes in high school.  Their math sequence will be Geometry (9th), Alg II with Trigonometry (10th), Pre-Calculus (11th) and Calculus (12th).

We are excited about this opportunity!  Please let us know if you are interested in your child taking Algebra I this year by email or call the office.

Thank you,

Christina Cochran

Counselor, 7-12

cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us

www.cochrans-corner.blogspot.com

Smith Scholarship

The Smith Scholarship Foundation Application has new deadlines for submission.

Part I                          December 5, 2015

Part II                        January 15, 2016

Please note that a two-part deadline will be used for applications.  Student information and the requirement for applications to governmental grants and scholarships are now included in Part I.  This change has been made so that students will register for financial aid programs and scholarships that have deadlines prior to January 15, 2016.

Applications will be accepted starting August 1 for the 2015-16 school year.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.smithscholarships.com.

NAIA Fee Changes

A few days ago, the NAIA Council of Presidents Committee on the Eligibility Center increased student registration fees consistent with industry standards, effective Saturday, August 1, 2015.

If you have students who are starting their registration with the NAIA Eligibility Center or thinking about starting soon, please encourage them to register under the lower fee prior to August 1.

Please be sure to update any school website information or other materials to reflect the new fees: 

• $75 for U.S./Canadian high school students
• $130 for international students
• $100 for U.S./Canadian students who did not enroll full-time at an NAIA school in the first full term following high school graduation

Please see Mrs. Cochran if you need help with NAIA Eligibility!

Dual Enrollment Students

If you haven't filled out your Dual Enrollment information, please do so ASAP!

Paperwork is available at www.jeffstateonline.com
Go to Apply/Enroll then High School Students
Fill out the information and print the signature page.
Bring the signature page to the office - we will get the necessary signatures!
If you did not meet at the ACT requirement - you will need to take the free COMPASS test at Jeff State.

If you have any questions, please email.  :)
cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us

New Course Offerings

We are excited to have three new course offerings available (with more to come):
Please email cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us if you want to sign up.

1.  FACS Elective  - Sports Nutrition with Ms. Ellison
*This class will be available to 12 Honors and 10 Standard students.  First Come, First Serve; priority to Seniors.  Seniors who are going to Jeff State will be off campus during this time.

2.  Girls Athletics - Open to Athletes only last period

3.  AG Elective - Cons/Finishing - 3rd class in the Construction Sequence.  Available to 12 Honors and students not attending Career Tech (11th and 12th)

Please email with any questions!

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN Co-Op!!!!! (11th and 12th grade)

Students:
Please email me (cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us) with the following if you are interested in Co-Op or Internship this year.

1.  Job Placement (paid or unpaid - must be able to get enough hours per week and be a "brick and mortar" business that Mr. Sosa can visit.)

2.  Phone number where Mr. Sosa can reach you.

We hope to have a meeting before school starts to get your paperwork together so you will be ready to go.  Please spread the word to your classmates so that I can help Mr. Sosa get in contact with everyone.

****If you do not have a job and are interested - let me know and I will check with Mr. Sosa to see if he can help you find a position.

Non-negotiable:
Must have transportation
Must be a stable job (you will have to keep it for the entire year)
Must be able to meet the required hours
Must turn in the necessary paperwork:  insurance card (personal) and proof of car insurance
Must keep track of hours and check stubs

Note:  Students will not receive credit in May if they do not complete the necessary information in a timely and efficient manner.  Mr. Sosa will review this information during the upcoming meeting (date/time TBA).

Congratulation to Makenzie and the DYW Winners!

Members of the 2016 Distinguished Young Women’s court included essay winner, Avery Wyatt; DYW, scholastic, interview and talent winner, Makenzie Roller; first alternate, fitness and self-expression winner, Leah Easterling; and second alternate and spirit of DYW winner, Savannah Swindle. (Photo by Jennifer Thompson/Life Photography)

Roller named the 2016 Chilton County Distinguished Young Woman

By Emily ReedPublished 3:47pm Monday, July 13, 2015

   Comments

Makenzie Roller was named the 2016 Chilton County representative for the Distinguished Young Women program on July 11.

Roller, 17, said learning she won the program was “unbelievable” and something she considers an honor.

“I was in total shock,” Roller said. “I have never won anything as important as this. All of the other six girls who competed are amazing and could have easily won this. It is such an honor for me to represent the county, and I am very excited.”

Roller, who will be a senior this year at Verbena High School, was awarded $1,200 in scholarship money for being named the winner.

Roller said she considers it an honor to represent Chilton County as the 2016 DYW.

The 59-year-old program is a national scholarship program that encourages high school seniors to develop their full potential.

The program provides contestants scholarship money for college.

This year’s program had seven contestants from across Chilton County who competed in talent, a physical fitness, interview and self-expression portions of the event.

Roller said she enjoyed the DYW program due to it not being similar to a beauty pageant.

“I did pageants when I was much younger, but I didn’t really enjoy them as much,” Roller said. “This was the first big thing that I tried to really work at.”

When she wasn’t practicing for the DYW program, Roller spent her time at Durbin Farms in Clanton, where she is employed.

Frequenters to Durbin Farms will recognize Roller as one of the friendly faces behind the ice cream counter.

“I got a job this summer at Durbin Farms so I had to work around my work schedule and my taekwondo schedule to be able to find time to practice,” Roller said. “It was crazy at times, but I have to credit Leslee Deavers (DYW organizer), who helped me so much. She was a huge help to all of us girls.”

Roller also won the talent portion of the program for her taekwondo demonstration.

“I did a form, followed by a board break,” Roller said. “I really enjoyed doing that.”

Roller took home $250 for her talent, $300 for being named the interview winner and $300 for being a scholastic winner.

Roller said she decided to participate in the DYW program after being a “little sister” to DYW 2015 contestant Katie Allen.

“Little sisters” help DYW contestants backstage during the program as well as perform in the opening routine.

“They are amazing,” Roller said. “I knew when I helped Katie that this was something I really wanted to participate in myself. I also found out a lot about the DYW program from Leslee Deavers who came to the schools this year and gave a presentation on the program.”

Although Roller is still looking at various colleges to attend, she is currently focusing on two schools, Auburn University at Montgomery or Troy University.

Roller is the daughter of Gena and Greg Roller.

Other scholarship winners included:

•Savannah Swindle, who won $185 for Spirit of Distinguished Young Women and $400 for being named second runner-up.

•Avery Wyatt, who won $100 for the “Be Your Best Self” essay award.

•Leah Easterling, who won $200 and a one-year membership to Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness for being the physical fitness winner, $200 for winning the self-expression portion of the program and $600 for being named first runner-up.

A total of $3,735 in cash scholarships was given to contestants during the program.

“It was a huge success,” said Deavers. “We had a very smart, talented group of girls.”

- See more at: http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2015/07/13/roller-named-the-2016-chilton-county-distinguished-young-woman/#sthash.pIYLrrpf.dpuf

Jefferson State - Clanton Advertiser Article

Jeff State holds orientation festival

By Whitney DensonPublished 4:49pm Thursday, July 9, 2015

   Comments

Jefferson State Community College in Clanton added new flair to its student orientation.

On Thursday, new students participated in an orientation festival, equipped with food, games and school information.

Clanton Campus Division Chair Ashley Kitchens said she and other employees of Jeff State wanted to add a more “community feel” to student orientation.

“We just want them to have a good time and show them a community atmosphere,” Kitchens said.

A bungie bull ride, basketball challenge, dunk tank, bowling and corn hole were a few of many games offered at the festival.

In addition to the fun and food, there were several representatives from school clubs, banks, four-year universities and the National Guard.

Incoming freshmen had the opportunity to learn about campus and community resources, although some freshmen, such as Chilton County High School graduate Tyler Cleckler, have already completed courses at Jeff State through the dual-enrollment program.

“Everybody here has been so nice and easy to talk to,” Cleckler said. “It’s close to home, it’s economical, plus I’ve gotten a lot of scholarships here.”

Kitchens said Jeff State is a good choice for freshmen because it’s a “stepping stool” to a good future.

“It can provide a great foundation,” Kitchens said. “Whether the student is doing nursing, a trade or planning to transfer, we have something for them here.”

Current student Alley Chavez echoed Kitchens in saying that the “small school atmosphere” was ideal.

“For me, it’s closer to home. I’m not into big universities, so this was perfect,” Chavez said. “I’m doing nursing, and they have a good program here.”

Kitchens said she hopes to make the festival an annual event, to offer a fun and stress-free event before the school year begins.

- See more at: http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2015/07/09/jeff-state-holds-orientation-festival/#sthash.XNXpZQk2.dpuf

Potential Magazine (FULL of College/Parenting Resources!)

Take a minute to check out Potential Magazine.  We just began receiving this magazine and it is a great resource.  You can subscribe to the print copy for a small cost or check out the online magazine and information for free.  I also have copies in the office that I am willing to loan out.  :)

www.potentialmagazine.com

National Army ROTC Scholarship/Jacksonville State Info

Please see the information below from the  ROTC Program at JSU.  

This is a national scholarship - if you are interested in ROTC for College, take a look!  Please note the additional Jacksonville State information at the bottom.

National Army ROTC Scholarship

1.     Complete the online application: 
Go to http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/high-school-students/four-year-scholarship.html Create an account (remember your username/id and password) and then register and login.  Complete the application.  List a minimum of three school choices, in preference order.  Write a short statement on why you want to be an Army officer.  Complete the 92-question survey (CBEF).  Application will open in mid-JUNE.

2.     Send your official high school transcripts to US Army Cadet Command:
Have your high school counselor send an official copy of your transcript to:

The U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship

U.S. Army Cadet Command
Bldg. 1002, 204 1^st Cavalry Regt Rd

Fort Knox, KY 40121-5123

3.     Request ACT and/or SAT to send your official results to US Army Cadet Command: Army ROTC code for the SAT is 0454 and for the ACT is 1676.

4.     Complete the Presidential Fitness Test (PFT): 
The test consists of 1-minute of push-ups, 1-minute of curl-ups and a 1-mile run. The test can be administered by a PE teacher, sports coach or JROTC instr.  Performance is very important so prepare and do the very best you can.  The fitness form is located at the bottom of page of the scholarship link (above).  Fax completed form to 502-624-1120 or scan and attach to an email:  usarmy.knox.usacc.mbx.train2lead@mail.mil

5.     Complete an interview with an Army ROTC program:

YOU must call and set up an appointment with the Professor of Military Science of the closest ROTC program to you or you can interview at the school of your choice.  Remember, you are applying for a scholarship; dress professionally, bring a resume and prepare for the interview.

The 1^st Board is in mid-October.  Deadline for documents for the first board is the end of September/beginning of October.  The 2^nd Board is in early January.  Documents are due by the third week of December. The 3^rd Board is in early March. Documents are due by the end of February.

The deadline for HS Seniors applying for the scholarship is 10 January.

JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Apply during your senior year of High School from October 1^st – March 1^st   at               

http://www.jsu.edu/finaid/scholarships/types.html   (25 Gamecock Battalion Scholarships, 20+ Alumni ROTC Scholarships and Room & Board scholarships available for ROTC Cadets in addition to the National Scholarship)

Any questions contact Mrs. Paige McCormick 256-782-8031 or dmccormick1@jsu.edu

Website: http://www.jsu.edu/rotc or check us out on Facebook: facebook.com/gamecock.battalion3