Burger King Scholarship

Created in memory of BURGER KING® Co-founder James “Jim” W. McLamore, the BURGER KING℠ Scholars program has awarded $25.3 million in scholarships to more than 24,000 high school students, BK® employees and their families across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico since 2000. In 2015 alone, the Foundation awarded $2.7 million to close to 2,500 students in North America.

Scholarship grants range from $1,000 to $50,000 and are intended to help students offset the cost of attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Recipients are selected based on their grade point average (GPA), work experience, extracurricular activities and community service.

Primarily funded by the BURGER KING® system and guests through annual fundraising activities, scholarships are awarded in the spring of each year. Our ultimate goal? To provide one $1,000 scholarship for every BURGER KING® restaurant in North America—that’s more than $7 million each year!

The application period for the 2016-2017 school year begins on Oct. 15, 2015 and closes Dec. 15, 2015. Click here to view the scholarship eligibility requirements and to apply now.

College Happen Challenge - Ages 14-18 - 1st Prize $10,000

How do your students plan to pay for college?  That is the question students ages 14-18 will answer as a part of Sallie Mae’s “Make College Happen Challenge.”  The contest will reward 10 high school students who creatively  communicate their plan to pay for college in videos, photos, essays, songs or poems. 

The challenge will award a first place prize of $10,000; second place $5,000; third place $2,500; and $1,000 to seven semifinalists.  Students may submit their entries October 15 through December 15. 

The 10 finalists will be announced in January based on creativity of entry, effective communication of the message and potential of their plan.  The public will then have the opportunity to choose their favorite entry from the 10 finalists by voting online for a week in February.  Top online voting entries, combined with the judges’ scores will determine the contest winners who will be announced in March. 

For more information, visit www.makecollegehappenchallenge.com.  For contest rules, visit www.makecollegehappen.com/rules.  You may also distribute and/or post the attached flier to your students.

The Common Application - Apply to over 650 Colleges

Not sure where to go?  Check out this website for the Common Application:
https://www.commonapp.org/
Here you can explore colleges and use their application - which allows you access to over 650 colleges.
Explore on the website or check out the poster to the left of the library.
Please stop by if you have any questions!

Alabama College Application Week (Nov 2-Nov 6)

We are excited to take part in the Alabama College Application Week this year!  Seniors are encouraged to apply to one College (2 year, 4 year or Technical School) in the state this week.  We have several activities planned as well.  The following letter will be sent home on Monday.  :)

Dear Parents and Teachers:

During the week of November 2-6, 2015, the Alabama State Department of Education will be sponsoring Alabama College Application Week.  During this week all seniors expected to graduate in 2016 will be encouraged to apply for admission to at least one college or technical school if they have not already done so.  This event is possible due to the collaborative efforts of the administration, faculty, and staff at Verbena High School, as well as students, their families, and volunteers across the community.

The purpose of this week is to acquaint students with the college application process and to communicate the importance of applying to college. .There is a College Application Worksheet that we encourage students to complete prior to the event, which is attached to this letter.  Having this worksheet completed and available at the College Application event on Monday, November 2^nd, will allow students to quickly and easily complete college applications.  In addition, if family members are interested in volunteering to help students fill out applications, please call my office. Thank you in advance for your support of this exciting initiative to encourage all Alabama students to make college a part of their future.

Please make a note that the Chilton County Financial Aid Night is scheduled for December 1^st at Jefferson State Community College in Clanton.  Guest speakers will go over everything you need to know for Federal Aid (FAFSA).  Please make plans to attend!  In January, representatives from Alabama Blueprint will be available to meet with you and your child to go step by step through the filing process.  J

EVENTS PROMOTING VERBENA HIGH SCHOOL’S COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK

Community/Staff Information Page:   Teachers and Community members will fill out an information sheet with where they attended college, their major and what advice they would give their “High School Self.”  If you would like to participate, please come by the main office!

Brag Board:  Students will sign a brag board after they finished their application. 

Wednesday, November 4^th-T-Shirt /Sweatshirt Day-Students and Staff are invited to wear a shirt from the college they attended or plan to attend.

Friday, November 6th-Seniors who applied will be invited to refreshments, provided by Mrs. Ellison’s Event Planning Class.  Students will also complete a survey, allowing feedback for this year’s event. 

As we near this week, please talk to your seniors about where they plan to apply.  If you have any questions, feel free to calI my office.  We are looking forward to this exciting week!!!!!

Thanks,

Mrs. Cochran

205-280-2822 

cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us

Red Ribbon Week! 10/26-10/30

Parents and Students:
It's hard to believe that it is already the end of October and time for Red Ribbon Week!  We will share the following information with students during Red Ribbon Week and have activities planned.  Please see below.
Also, you have the opportunity to take the Parent Pledge.  (See the previous Blog Post).  Thank you to Mrs. Ellison's Event Planning Class for all of their help!

Dress Up Days:

Monday - Red Out - Wear Red!

Tuesday - Sock it to Drugs - Wear Crazy Socks!

Wednesday - Don't Get Mixed Up in Drugs...Wear Mix-matched clothes!

Thursday - Team Up Against Drugs - Wear Team Colors!

Friday - Scare Away Drugs - Costumes, but no Masks!

ABOUT THE RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN

The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign. NFP provides drug awareness by sponsoring the annual National Red Ribbon Celebration. Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America.

Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. "I'm only one person", he told her, "but I want to make a difference."

On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found. He had been tortured to death.

In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena's memory, the red ribbon.

In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families. The National Family Partnership (NFP) and its network of individuals and organizations continue to deliver his message of hope to millions of people every year, through the National Red Ribbon Campaign.  (from http://redribbon.org/about/)

Red Ribbon Week Parent Pledge

SIGN THE RED RIBBON PLEDGE

Take the Red Ribbon Pledge now and be a part of the creation of a drug free America.

WHAT'S THE PLEDGE ABOUT?

1. As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse.
2. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.
3. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription.
4. We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.
5. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.

I PLEDGE TO SET GUIDELINES TO HELP CHILDREN GROW UP SAFE, HEALTHY AND DRUG-FREE.

YOUR INFORMATION

Email*

First Name*

Last Name

Address

City

State Choose...  Alabama  Alaska  Arizona  Arkansas  Armed Forces, the Americas  Armed Forces, Europe  Armed Forces, Pacific  California  Colorado  Connecticut  District of Columbia  Delaware  Federated States of Micronesia  Florida  Georgia  Guam  Hawaii  Idaho  Illinois  Indiana  Iowa  Kansas  Kentucky  Louisiana  Maine  Marshall Islands  Maryland  Massachusetts  Michigan  Minnesota  Mississippi  Missouri  Montana  Nebraska  Nevada  New Hampshire  New Jersey  New Mexico  New York  North Carolina  North Dakota  Northern Marianas  Ohio  Oklahoma  Oregon  Pennsylvania  Puerto Rico  Rhode Island  South Carolina  South Dakota  Tennessee  Texas  Utah  Vermont  Virginia  Virgin Islands  Washington  West Virginia  Wisconsin  Wyoming 

ZIP Code*

Phone

Fax

Sole Sisters - Backpacking Opportunity for Girls (13-17)

So glad to have the ladies from Sole Sisters at the Cahaba River Environmental Center last week. This is a free opportunity for our girls, ages 13-17!
The Cahaba Environmental Center, in partnership with Canoe the Cahaba, Cahaba Riverkeeper, and the Cahaba River Society, has been selected as recipients of the North Face's Explore Fund  for our new program:Sole Sisters! Starting this fall, Sole Sisters takes young women (ages 13-17) from the Birmingham area out to the Cahaba Environmental Center for a weekend of backpacking and canoeing to teach them the skills that they need to be leaders in the outdoors and in their home communities! 

For more information about our Sole Sisters program, please contact Kim Hall at khall@livingriver.org.

http://www.cahabaec.org/sole-sisters.html (application and additional information)

JSU Preview Days and Scholarships

Voter Registration

Seniors...don't forget your ID for Voter Registration tomorrow.  :)

US News College Magazine

Available for check out!  Send me an email (cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us) to sign up for a week that you can borrow.  Great articles and college major listings...

Stress Management Tips for Kids (And Adults!)

Check out these stress management tips from Free Spirit Publishing...good for Adults too! 11 Stress Management Tips for Kids by Free Spirit Publishing

While no one can eliminate stress from young people's lives, you can help them learn to control how they respond to it. Share these ideas, activities, and tips with kids to help them deal with stressful situations in school, at home, and among friends:

1. Get organized. Clutter can really be stressful, even if you don't think about it much. Put dirty laundry in the hamper, papers in a folder or drawer, and toys where they belong. Ah, doesn't that feel better?

2. Try shower power. That's right, a hot shower can wash away stress. The steam helps you breathe easier, and the warm water soothes tense muscles. Stress goes down the drain.

3. Take charge. When things go wrong, feeling sorry for yourself equals more stress. Instead, think: What can I do to fix the situation? Start that homework, do chores, or talk to an adult who can help.

4. Visualize success. Close your eyes and imagine conquering whatever it is that is stressing you out. Big report coming due? Imagine finishing it. How great will that feel? How proud will you be? How will you reward yourself?

5. Embrace failure. Thomas Edison was one of the most important inventors in history, and along the way he had many failures. But he once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

6. Pet an animal. Research proves what pet lovers already know: petting an animal can reduce stress. If you don't have your own pet, visit a friend who does.

7. Keep a stress journal. Write down events that lead to negative feelings. Note the time of day, what you were doing, where you were, and who was there. How did you feel? What did you do? Once you understand what stresses you, you can work on solving the problems.

8. Ask for help. You're not a superhero. Everyone needs help sometimes, and the people you're close with will help. Talk to a good friend or an adult you trust, and say something like, "I'm feeling frazzled. Do you think you could help me?"

9. Check your posture. If you're stressed, chances are your posture shows it. Slumped shoulders means shallower breathing and poor circulation, so straighten up, push your shoulders back, and breathe deep.

10. Brainstorm solutions. Make a list of ways to solve your problem. Brainstorming means no ideas are too crazy or weird. Write down everything you can think of. Invite a grown-up to contribute ideas, too. Once you have a good list, choose one idea to try.

11. Celebrate accomplishments. When you finish a project or test or something else, you deserve to feel good about it. Give yourself a high five for what you've done, even if you're still stressed about what you have left to do.

$10,000 Scholarship Opportunity (IT or related field) - Due Jan 15th

$10,000 scholarship!  Offered each year to a student planning to attend a 2 or 4 year accredited college/university or technical school pursuing a degree in IT or a related field. Applications are being accepted through January 15, 2016. The application form and criteria for the scholarship can be found at:

http://www.go-aeta.org/?DivisionID=19706&DepartmentID=24330

Kim Arrington should be listed as the school system delegate member for the organization (which is required for the scholarship). Please let me know if you need additional information.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Criteria for Scholarship Applicant:

* Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 and plan to attend a 2 or 4 year accredited college/university or technical school pursuing a degree in IT or related field

* Application must be accompanied by an essay (guidelines listed under item 11 of the application)

* One page resume' (attachments are allowed for activities, honors and service)

* Two letters of recommendation as to your character and your ability to meet your scholastic and community responsibilities – one must be from principal/counselor

* Applicant must have the endorsement of their Guidance Counselor/Principal on their application attesting they are a qualified applicant for this scholarship program

* Application deadline is January 15th by 4:00 p.m. Late applications are not accepted.

Varsity Tutors Scholarship

VARSITY TUTORS SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST DESCRIPTION

Varsity Tutors holds a monthly $1,000 college scholarship contest
where students write an essay in response to a monthly prompt.
Visitors to the Varsity Tutors scholarship webpage are able to vote
via social media for submitted entries. The top five entries with the
most votes are reviewed by Varsity Tutors at the end of the month and
one winner is subsequently chosen to receive the $1,000 college
scholarship. Interested students can enter the contest here:
http://www.varsitytutors.com/college-scholarship

ASVAB Testing Date Change

The ASVAB will be on Monday, Oct 26th...Don't forget to signup if you are interested!

CEFA Trade Training Scholarship (Graduates)

The Construction Education Foundation of Alabama (CEFA) is providing up to eight (8) Trade Training Scholarships for classes in:

• Pipefitting
• Carpentry
• HVAC
• Electrical

Scholarships are open to men and women of all ages, and are for classes beginning October 19th. Each class is valued at $3,800.

Four (4) of the scholarships are for FULL TUITION, and the other four (4) will provide a FIFTY PRECENT discount on tuition and enrollment costs.

In order to qualify, you must meet the following criteria by September 9th:

• Complete a training application in person (click here for directions to CEFA).
• Turn in your application between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Bring a copy of the following documentation:
  • Essay requesting why you should receive a scholarship**
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Birth Certificate Social Security Card
  • DD 214 if a veteran Driver’s License

** Essay: Submit a 750 to 1,000 word essay. Points to include in your essay are:

• Why you want to be in the trade you have selected.
• Why you need financial assistance to participate in training.
• Do you have any experience working in the trades? Be sure to mention if you have done any work for a contractor of any type.
• List all student recognition you have received while in high school, such as: club participation, leadership roles, special projects, and school related activities.
• Do you have family members who work in the trade?
• Address in specific terms why you need financial assistance to participate in training.
• You need to include two personal recommendations. Include: name, phone number and email address, if they have one.

If you have any questions, or are interested in this opportunity to earn up to $3,800 in free tuition, please call 205-956-0146, or email Byron McCain at bymmccain@bellsouth.net.

Smith Scholarship Deadlines

Please make note of the following if you have started working on this scholarship (or need to start!)

The Smith Scholarship Foundation Application has new deadlines for submission:

Part I                          December 5, 2015 – Student Information and Financial Aid Registration

Part II                        January 15, 2016 – Essays, Volunteer Work, Letters of Recommendation

Please note that a two-part deadline will be used for applications.  Part I requires submission of student information and includes the requirement that students apply to 3 other scholarships.  This new requirement has been added to encourage students to apply for scholarships at Colleges and Universities as well as government and financial sponsored programs with early deadlines.

Part II includes applicant’s essays, volunteer work and letters of recommendation.

Please apply as soon as possible. 

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

Washington and Lee Visit

National Portfolio Day (Artists)

MAX4Kids Scholarship