February 2019

· Approaching deadlines

February 15: OSAC Early Bird: submit applications by this date and you might win an additional award for completing the application early

February 15: Southern Oregon University early and priority application deadline

February 15: SOU scholarship priority deadline

February 15: Rolling admission begins at SOU

February 18: SHS and MHS Closed - President's Day

February 27: Late registration deadline for March 9 SAT

February 28: Evergreen Aviation Scholarship

March 1: Many scholarships due – plan ahead!

See back page of this newsletter for a list of March scholarship due dates.

· IMPORTANT NOTICE: Scholarship season has arrived! There are a few important scholarship deadlines in February, and then the deadlines arrive almost daily from March 1 through mid-May. On March 1 alone, there are 15 scholarship applications due! START EARLY. If you have not already started putting together your applications packages (application form, essays, transcript, letters of recommendation, etc.) you should get started immediately! The most successful applications are those that are carefully prepared, with thoughtful, well-written essays. Keep in mind that in some cases the application must be received, not just mailed, by the deadline!

· Once you have been admitted to college, you may be tempted to slack off on your academic work for the remainder of the school year. Be careful about taking that approach! You still need to pass your classes in order to graduate. Equally important, some colleges will look at your final transcript at the end of the school year to determine if you have maintained the required GPA. If not, your offer to enroll – or receive scholarships - could be withdrawn.

· And then there’s Oregon Promise, if you’re headed to a community college. You need a GPA of 2.5 or higher to qualify for financial aid from Oregon Promise. If you’re just over a 2.5, don’t let it slip… and if you’re just under 2.5, you still have one semester to raise your average.

· As you start preparing for the transition out of high school and into college or career, there are lots of resources on the SHS ASPIRE website: www.sites.google.com/site/siuslawafterhs. In particular, check out the link on menu (left side of home page) to “College Life”.

Rotary Club events

4-Way Speech Contest: Prepare and present a speech on Thursday, April 11 and you could win a cash prize (first prize $750, second prize $500 or third prize $250) and compete for higher awards. Your speech must relate to the Rotary “4-Way Test” (Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? and Will it be beneficial to all concerned?) Application forms are available in the ASPIRE and counseling offices.

New Volunteer Opportunities (A complete listing is available in the ASPIRE office)

The organizers of the second annual “Earth Day on the Boardwalk” celebration in Florence are looking for student volunteers who can help with setup and closing activities and serve as runners during the day. They are also looking for students who would like to create and staff a booth. The celebration this year will be on Saturday, April 20. Contact Sandy Todd: sandy@pacific101.com.

Volunteer at the Rotary Club “Cool at the Coast” golf tournament in Florence. The Rotary Club is looking for students to volunteer for a variety of tasks. This year the tournament will be held on Saturday, August 3. Contact Meg Spencer: mspencer1818@yahoo.com.

The Heritage Players of the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum are looking for students interested in playing the part of a local historical person at various community events. This will involve some initial research about the individual. Costumes will be provided by the Museum. Contact Nancy Sobottka: towanda1249@yahoo.com.

· If you will be going into military service after graduation, you will probably be taking the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). If you want to practice before taking the test, there are two books in the ASPIRE office that are available for borrowing. You might also download the ASVAB Mastery app to your iPhone or Android. We’ve heard it’s very good.

· If you will be attending a community college after graduation, you will probably need to take a placement test. Other colleges and universities may also require that you take one or more placement tests. The two most commonly used placement tests are the Accuplacer and the ALEKS. Review books for the Accuplacer are available in the ASPIRE office.

· There is a shortage of workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and food services – and that shortage will continue to grow until at least 2030. This is according to a recent study, and it means better pay for workers in those jobs, and more women taking industrial-type jobs. You can read more under the heading “News Articles” at our ASPIRE website: www.sites.google.com/site/siuslawafterhs.

· A job fair will be held in Springfield on Thursday, April 11 for graduating seniors in Lane County. Representatives of 50 local companies will be on hand to talk with students about year-round jobs and summer jobs. For more information go to: https://elevatelanecounty.org/calendar or see Mr. Gerot, Mr. Moser, or Mr. Orr.

· Health professions tour: Sign up for the April 25 half-day tour of PeaceHealth Riverbend Hospital in Eugene. The tour will visit all departments of the hospital and include hands-on activities with hospital professionals. Sign up in the ASPIRE office.

· Western Oregon University is holding a Criminal Justice Careers Day on Wednesday, March 6. The deadline to register is Friday, March 1. More information is available in the ASPIRE office.

· Careers in the timber industry or in engineering: Check the dates on this link for career fairs in those fields: https://elevatelanecounty.org/calendar.

· Summer opportunities: You’ll find lots of them at sites.google.com/site/siuslawafterhs/jobs/summer-programs

· An organization called Elevate Lane County is developing job-shadowing and internship opportunities for high school students. Job shadowing will be in the fields of technology, food production, manufacturing, timber, medical and education. For more information, go to https://elevatelanecounty.org/student. This is a new program, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for, see Mr. Gerot or Bob in ASPIRE.

· If you are looking for job training, consider the Job Corps. You can get free training in maintenance, bricklaying, carpentry, painting, plumbing, urban forestry, welding, office administration, culinary arts, forestry conservation, firefighting, nursing assistant, pharmacy tech, auto collision repair, security and protective services, and more. There are six job corps camps in Oregon (Yachats, Glide, Estacada, Astoria, Portland, and Troutdale). Each camp is different, so be sure to check them out personally.

· Lane Community College now offers an International Bachelor’s degree in Business if you spend two years at LCC and one year at the Rennes School of Business in France! You can earn a Master’s degree after one additional year in France. For more information go to lanecc.edu/international/21-opportunities or contact the counseling office or the ASPIRE office.

· New Scholarship Opportunities: Oregon Federation of Women’s Clubs fine arts scholarships (not just for women) in art, vocal, instrumental, and writing; Veterans of Foreign Wars scholarships for children and grandchildren of members of the VFW. See ASPIRE for details.

· If you have been admitted to college, and your name is not yet posted on the bulletin board outside the ASPIRE office, please tell Bob in ASPIRE. We’ll get your name and college posted right away.

Have a wonderful semester!

March 2019 Scholarship Deadlines

Deadlines are subject to change

Review all deadlines regularly with ASPIRE

*March 1: OSAC final deadline

*March 1: Oregon School Employees Guy Davis and Past Presidents' Scholarships

*March 1: Oregon School Employees Association scholarships deadline

*March 1: Oregon School Counselors Association scholarship applications due

*March 1: Conference of Oregon School Administrators scholarship applications due

March 1: Ford Family Foundation Scholarships deadline (OSAC)

March 1: Application period closes for SOCC Foundation Scholarships

March 1: Application period closes for Portland CC Foundation Scholarships

March 1: Deadline to apply for WOU scholarships including WOU/ASPIRE

*March 1: Oregon Community Leadership Scholarship

*March 1: Seneca Scholarship (OSAC)

*March 1: Harrington Family Foundation scholarship applications due

March 3: Ladies of Elks Scholarship

*March 4: Lane Community College Foundation Scholarships

March 4: Greenfield Peace Writing Scholarship (open to juniors and seniors)

*March 8: Peace Scholarship

*March 15: HOSA - Future Health Professionals Scholarship

March 15: Florence Area Community Coalition Scholarship (FACC)

March 15: Application period closes for Blue Mountain CC Scholarships

*March 22: Slocum Research and Education Foundation scholarship applications due

March 25: Florence Masonic Lodge Scholarship

*March 30: Oregon PTA

*March 30: Independent Order of the Odd Fellows

*March 31: Florence Rotary (x6) Scholarship

*March 31: Clear Alliance scholarship applications due

March 31: Application period closes for Chemeketa CC Foundation Scholarships

*March 31: Selco Scholarship application due