March 2019

** It is recommended that Seniors apply to all colleges that they are interested in as soon as possible! Check each college website for Scholarship and Financial Aid deadlines!

ACT TEST DATES

You will need to register for the ACT at www.act.org. Be sure to pick up an ACT practice packet in the Guidance Office. Testing dates are as follows:

TEST Deadline to Register Late Fee Required

April 13, 2019 March 8, 2019 March 9-22, 2019

June 8, 2019 May 3, 2019 May 4-17, 2019

July 13, 2019 June 14, 2019 June 15-21, 2019

Do NOT wait until the last minute to register as it takes about two hours to complete the first time! It is recommended that juniors who are planning to go to college take the test for the first time no later than the December administration. Seniors who are taking it for the first time should take it as soon as possible! The ACT is the test score that colleges in this area want to see.

When you are completing the ACT Registration Form, you will need to list the colleges that you want your score sent to. Make sure you are including your most likely choices in this list. Larger colleges like Ohio State, Univ. of Miami, and Univ. of Cincinnati are now requiring that they receive your scores directly from the ACT company as well as from your high school.

You should take the Writing portion of the ACT at least one time. Several major colleges in Ohio are requiring it as part of your admissions package, and some use it for English placement. If you have questions about a specific college, see Mrs. Meyer.

SAT TEST DATES

If you wish to take the SAT, register at www.collegeboard.org. Testing dates are as follows:

TEST Deadline to Register Late Registration Closes

May 4, 2019 April 5, 2019 April 24, 2019

June 1, 2019 May 3, 2019 May 22, 2019

ACT Prep Websites available!

www.March2Success.com (free)

This site is sponsored by the U.S. Army (if you do not want to be

contacted by a recruiter, just check “no” when registering—no obligations for

just using the site). Several students who needed to raise their scores for scholarships purposes have found it helpful in the past.

www.actstudent.org/academy (free)

Visit the official ACT student website and view video lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length practice tests, educational games, and other materials targeted to a student’s academic/testing needs. ACT Academy provides learners with a personalized study plan based on pervious scores from the ACT test, Pre-ACT, and official ACT practice tests.

www.number2.com/exams/act (free)

You can register at this site to take free Practice Tests and get other test- taking tips!

www.infohio.org (free)

Go to the Learning Express Library. Register as a student, and here you will find free on-line prep courses and free down-loadable prep books to help study for the ACT!

There are also various resources available at a cost. Copies of some of these preparation books can also be found at local libraries or can be found on-line.

NEW! The Guidance Office has 2 new ACT Prep Guide Books and 2 CDs to loan out for your preparation! See Mrs. Meyer or Ms. Tennant if you are interested!

College/Scholarship Searches and Financial Aid Help

For good info about college searches and scholarship notification, you will want to check out the following websites:

www.EducationPlanner.com www.CollegeAnswer.com, www.KnowHow2GoOhio.org www.meritaid.com

www.admissions.com www.studentedge.com

www.CollegeBoard.com. www.anycollege.com

www.salliemae.com (free Education Investment Calculator)

www.charterone.com

www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa (BG website offers short videos on financial aid topics)

www.christianconnector.com (request information & automatically be entered in $2,500.00 scholarship drawing)

Free Scholarship Searches! Register at www.Scholarships.com and www.fastweb.com.

Take On-line Campus Tours! Go to www.eCampusTours.com.

Ten scholarship programs that are available to Ohio seniors for the 2016-2017 school year can be found at www.studentscholarships.org/newsletter.php. More than 1 million dollars will be given out to students this year.

The “Need A Lift” book sponsored by the American Legion is available in the Guidance Office. It contains extensive information on scholarships for veteran’s dependents.

Playing Athletics in College?

Juniors and Seniors: If you are interested in playing athletics in college, you must register with the governing body of the athletic league to which the college you are playing in belongs. It is preferable to do this at the end of your Junior year in high school. If you are looking into playing at a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter).

When taking your ACT or SAT, designate the NCAA as one of your “College Choices” by entering the code “9999”. The NCAA must receive your score directly from the company; they will not accept it from your high school transcript.

If you are looking into playing at an NAIA school, you must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center (www.playnaia.org). If you register with either one of these centers, please let Mrs. Meyer know so that she can forward more information to the sites when asked for it. Complete lists of schools and their affiliations can be found at each website. You are urged to keep in close contact with college coaches you may be working with to ensure a smooth transition from the high school to college arena.

Buckeye Boys and Girls State

American Legion Buckeye Boys State – Buckeye Boys State is an 8-day “hands on” experience in the operation of the Democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Ohio Government. Eligibility is limited to young men who have completed the 11^th grade. This year’s Buckeye Boys State will be held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio from June 9^th through June 16th. If interested in attending, please stop in the Guidance office for an application and further information.

American Legion Auxiliary Buckeye Girls State – The main objective of the Girls State program is to train young women, who have completed the 11^th grade, in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship by providing participants to actively participate in a democratic form of government. This year’s Buckeye Girls State will be held at the University Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio from June 9^th through June 16th. If interested in attending, please stop in the Guidance office for an application and further information.

NOTE: Students will be sponsored by the Heiland Post of the American Legion.

2018-2019 National Service Academy Nomination Program

Regional Service Academy Information Night – March 12, 2019 the U.S. service academy coordinators for Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Rob Portman will be sharing information regarding the application process for students interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, Colorado and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. This is a free event and open to students and parents. For more information please contact Suzanne Cox at Suanne_Cox@portman.sentae.gov or call (614) 469-6774. Further information is also available at https://www.portman.senate.gov.

Seminars, Apprenticeships, Internships, and Job Opportunities

Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions – Emerson of Sidney will be holding a Spring Engineering Career Seminar for all high school students interested in a career in engineering and technology. This seminar will introduce prospective college students in the engineering field and what engineers do. The seminar will be held on Thursday, April 11^th, from 4:15 to 7:30 p.m. The program is free of charge and will include an informal pizza dinner. Deadline to register is April 3, 2019. Interested students must register online at https://sway.office.com or stop in the Guidance office for more information.

Sollman Electric – There are growing careers in the Electrical Field, and Sollman Electric has hired on average 2-3 students per year from the programs at Upper Valley Career Center and/or the Miami Valley Career Technology Center. If you are interested in pursuing a career in electrical construction field or questions regarding these programs, please contact Jeff Bertke at the Upper Valley Career Center at 937-778-1980, Robert Ewry at the Miami Valley CTC at 937-854-6237, Dennis Sollmann at 937-492-0346, or speak with Mrs. Meyer in the Guidance office about the programs offered.

Ohio Department of Transportation have summer apprenticeship positions in the highway maintenance department available for 2019. Applicants who wish to apply online need to go to http://careers.ohio.gov/ and will need to search by agency, Transportation, District 7, location, and/or category. This is a new hiring system, and it will require the creation of a profile account. For additional information about the Ohio Department of Transportation visit http://www.dot.state.oh.us, call 937-492-1141 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or see Mrs. Meyer in the Guidance office.

Edison State and Honda Student Internships – Honda has a Student Internship Program with Edison State Community College at the Piqua Campus. Students must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and unlimited work authorization in the United States. Apply to Edison State Community College in one of two Engineering Technology degree programs: Electro-Mechanical or Automation and Robotics degrees. Then apply to Honda at https://www.honda.com/careers/find-a-job-internships-and-coops. Seniors and Juniors should dontact Veronica French by email, vfrench@edisonohio.edu or by calling 937-778-7865 to inquire ASAP.

Crown Manufacturing – Crown is now accepting applications for full-time and summer job positions. Individuals must value integrity, innovation and a passion to help the company move forward. Summer positions are limited so apply early. If interested, apply at www.crown.jobs, or for questions and more information call Brittany Siegrist at 419-629-2220 extension 14226.

Wells Brothers, Inc. has immediate career opportunities! They are a growing family-owned business with immediate openings for: Electricians, Plumbers, Welders, Concrete Finishers, Heavy Equipment Operators, Mechanical/Industrial Riggers, Pipe Fitters, HVAC, Fabricators, Excavators, and Millwrights. Very competitive pay and benefits package! Visit their website to apply: www.wellsbrothers.com or fax resume to 937-394-2375 or visit 105 Shue Drive, Anna.

College & Career Fairs, Summer Programs and Job Shadow Opportunities

Columbus National College Fair – This free event will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center located at 400 N. High St, Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, March 24, 2019 from 1-4 p.m. For more information email info@nacacnet.org or call 703-299-6851.

Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center Job Shadow – High school students interested in Healthcare fields have an opportunity to job shadow at St. Rita’s Medical Center. If interested in participating in this program, contact Laurie Nicholas at LJNicklaus@mercy.com, call 419-226-9461, or pick-up an application in the Guidance office.

University of Findlay College of Pharmacy VIP Experience – This program introduces high-achieving students interested in pursuing a career in Pharmacy. Students will be introduced to the expanding role of pharmacists in clinical, retail and health promotion settings. Up to four grade 9-12 students from Botkins Local School may attend this event. The date is Friday, March 29, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Students interested in attending, must be recommended by and speak with Mrs. Meyer as soon as possible to attend this event.

University of Dayton – The University of Dayton is offering two, one-week residential experiences for students that want to develop their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. These programs offer students a glimpse of life as a college student, help them develop practical skills and provide real-world immersive experiences. These programs are open to juniors, seniors, and college freshman. In addition to these experiences, students will also have the opportunity to compete for up to $40,000 in University of Dayton scholarships. If interested in applying or for more information regarding Leadership 101 or Entrepreneurship 101, go to www.go.udayton.edu/leadership101 or www.go.udatyon.edu/entrepreneurship101.

University of Toledo will be hosting a Pharmacy Summer Camp from June 23 through June 26, 2019. The camp will include job shadowing, pharmacy labs, career speakers, etc. For more details and to apply go online at www.utoledo.edu/pharmacy and click on pharmacy camp. Deadline to apply is April 2, 2019.

College Open House Days

Colleges set aside days to feature or “spotlight” certain majors—kind of like an “open house”. To schedule college visits, go to the college’s website for information and registration. Listed below are some colleges that we have received special announcements about. Check college websites to find out about others.

University of Findlay will be offering high school students that are interested in a career in pharmacy an opportunity to attend the V.I.P. days of learning at the campus on March 29, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. If interested in attending and/or receiving more information, see Mrs. Meyer in the Guidance office. Deadline to register is March 26, 2019.

University of Northwestern Oho Spring Preview Day and Scholarship Testing – Spring Preview Day for sophomores, juniors and seniors will be held on Friday, April 5, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Scholarship testing will take place at 11:30 a.m. For further information and registration go to www.unoh.edu or call

419-998-3120.

Indiana University Fort Wayne – Indiana University, Fort Wayne, has added to new bachelor’s degree programs to their undergraduate majors; Social Work and Health Sciences. They will be hosting a visit day on Sunday, March 17, 2019 and students will be able to attend open labs, talk with faculty, and speak with someone in financial aid. The deadline for students to apply to IU, and still be eligible for scholarships is

March 1, 2019. For more information go to www.iufw.edu.

Additional College Information

For descriptions of Private Colleges in Ohio, go to www.OhioPrivateColleges.com to download info

Common Application - There are over 300 colleges who will accept “The Common Application” to apply to their university. See the map in the Guidance Office to find out which colleges accept this.

University of Dayton - If you are applying, they encourage that you attach a separate page listing your extra-curricular and service activities. Their admissions process is becoming more competitive, so providing information about yourself beyond the regular application may help your chances of begin accepted.

Bowling Green State University – BGSU has joined the Common Application. Students may complete the BGSU application or the Common Application. Students may apply for admission online at http://choose.bgsu.edu/apply/online. Those students interested in the Honors College at BGSU may apply online at https://www.bgsu.edu/honors-college.html.

University of Findlay – The University of Findlay will be offering their Very Important Potential Pharmacists program for juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy. Students need to be dedicated to academics, have an aptitude for Math and Science, or are considering a career in healthcare. This program will be offered on Friday, March 29^th. Please see the Guidance office for more information and registration directions if interested.

Peterson’s Education – Peterson’s is an established name in the education industry, helping students and parents with helpful information. The Peterson’s Blog is a compilation of articles on test preparation, college funding, graduate school, and much more. The podcast, You Have a Cool Job, aims to motivate students and show how interesting and fulfilling various careers can be. The college data collection, including scholarship information, gives accurate sources of college information from anywhere. For further information please email taylor.sienkiewicz@petersons.com or pr@petersons.com, or visit their website at www.petersons.com.

**Ever consider being a Court Reporter? Visit www.CIAmerica.org for information on the Court Reporting Institute of America.

Hauss – Helms Foundation

The Hauss-Helms Foundation was established to aid worthy students that live in the Auglaize/Allen Counties of Ohio area to continue their education past high school. The application is available on the website

www.hauss-helmsfoundation.org or in the Guidance office. The application must be filed no later than

March 15, 2019.

RAEBURN E. BARNES TRUST LOAN PROGRAM

The Barnes Trust is a low-interest college loan program open to any student living in a Shelby County school district. Students are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible, as their funds do run out. The last possible date to apply is March 31, 2019. Please stop in the Guidance Office for an information packet.

2019 AMERICAN LEGION ORATORY CONTEST

All high school students are eligible to compete in this contest. The oration must be on some aspect of the constitution, with emphasis on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. Information regarding the contest is available online at www.legion.org/oratorical. For a copy of the assigned topic is available in the Guidance office. The county winner will compete at the district level for a chance to win a monetary award.

2019 SCHOLARSHIPCONNECT

ScholarshipConnect is now open! Students are now able to search and apply online for scholarships through ScholarshipConnect located on The Dayton Foundation website, www.daytonfoundation.org. For further information or questions, please call Elizabeth Horner at 937-225-9955 or Michelle Brown at 937-225-9965. Completed applications are due to the Dayton Foundation March 8, 2019 by 4:00 p.m.

Scholarships

**Wright State Lake Campus Scholarship – Wright State Lake Campus will be offering a match scholarship for up to $500 for up to 8 students that have received a scholarship from the Community Foundation. Students must have been accepted at the Wright State Lake Campus and are required to notify the Financial Aid office at the Lake Campus to receive this award.

Shelby County Retired Teachers Association Kent Smith Scholarship – This $500 scholarship will be awarded to a college student that is majoring in education, and who graduated from a Shelby County school district. For questions, please call Karen Gariety at 937-492-3569. Applications are available in the Guidance office and the deadline is April 24, 2019.

CBC/VECTREN Lead the Way Creative Scholarship – A $5,000 scholarship program sponsored by CBC and Vectren Corporation to support our blood resource leaders of tomorrow. CBC and Vectren annually award $1,000 scholarships to five graduating high school seniors. It is open to all graduating high school seniors in CBC's 15-county service area who are college bound and whose high school hosts a CBC blood drive during the academic year. Applications are available online only at www.givingblood.org. Application deadline is April 20, 2019.

DP&L and Vectren Energy Leadership Scholarship – This scholarship will award three $1,000 scholarships and is open to students whose parents are customers of Vectren or DP& L service, attending a 2 or 4-year college/university, and be interested in a STEM career. The application is available in the Guidance office or at https://www.ohioenergy.org/. Deadline to apply is April 15, 2019.

Emerson Climate Technologies - Rudolf G. Berg Scholarship – Students applying for this one-time $2,500 scholarship must attend a school in Shelby County or the Upper Valley Career Center and have been accepted at a two or four-year accredited college or university. This scholarship is open to all seniors, and applications are available in the Guidance office. Deadline to apply is Friday, March 8, 2019.

Dayton Daily News Si Burick Journalism Scholarship – This scholarship will be awarded yearly to the winning high school graduating senior and includes a 10-week paid internship doing hands-on journalism in the multi-media newsroom. Students must be pursuing a career in journalism to apply. Students may apply at www.daytonfoundation.org. Once on the website, click on ScholarshipCONNECT to access the online scholarship application. Deadline to apply is March 8, 2019.

Shelby County Farm Bureau Scholarship – This $500 scholarship is available to students entering college in any major, and whose parents are members of the Shelby County Farm Bureau. Applications are available in the Guidance office and all applications must be returned to the Shelby County Farm Bureau office by the deadline of March 15, 2019.

Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation Albert Egbert Scholarship – Again this year all applications must be done by going online at the website www.wapakacf.org and filling out the common application found in the scholarship section. Answers given in the common application will automatically indicate to students’ what scholarships they may be eligible to apply for this year. The online application process will begin January 2, 2019 and applications must be received by March 31, 2019.

B. Davis Scholarship - The creators of “Student Award Search Aid” are offering this $1,000 scholarship. Application and information are available at the website, http://www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm, and must be submitted online. Deadline for this scholarship is May 24, 2019.

Altrusa Club Grant – This scholarship is available to those students graduating in 2017, and that have been a resident of Shelby County for at least 5 years. Applications are available in the Guidance office, and the deadline to apply is April 10, 2019.

VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest – This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 and includes home-schooled students. In addition to local and state prizes, students ware competing for a $10,000 National Scholarship. For official application, rules and information, go to www.vfwauxiliary.org. Deadline is March 31, 2019.

Ohio Living Dorothy Love VolunTeen Scholarship – This $500 scholarship will be awarded to a Shelby County graduating senior that plans on enrolling in a 2 or 4-year college, and that volunteers at Dorothy Love and completes a minimum of 32 volunteer hours. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2019. For more information contact Betsy Naseman at (937) 497-6529.

Austin E. Knowlton Scholarship/Denison University – Students that apply and are accepted to Denison University, will automatically be considered for this scholarship. First preference is given to students from Ohio and majoring in mathematics or the sciences. An award up to $5,000 is available, regardless of financial need. All Knowlton Scholarships are renewable annually.

BigSun Scholarship – The BigSun Organization is proud to be able to continue to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits and offer a $500 award. All student athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of which sport they are participating. To apply, please go to www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply. Application deadline is June 19, 2019.

Glen R. Kershner Memorial Scholarship – Students whose parent(s) are a member of the Universal 1 Credit Union and are planning to attend an accredited college or university, may apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Applications are available online at www.ulcu.org or in the Guidance office.

Deadline to apply is March 8, 2019.

Access Engineering Solutions, LLC Scholarship – This is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to a high school senior that will be pursuing an undergraduate degree in the field of Civil Engineering, Surveying, or a related field of study. The application can be found at nkt@accessenglic.com or is available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is March 29,2019.

The Ray Ford Nurses Scholarship – The Jackson Center American Legion Foundation Inc., in memory of Ray Ford, administers this nursing scholarship program. The scholarships are awarded to those seniors who have demonstrated a scholastic ability with a 3.0 GPA or better and will be pursuing a nursing career. This is a renewable scholarship and applications will be available in the Guidance office or by contacting Ron Leinger at rleininger@woh.rr.com with the following information: name, school presently attending, address, phone number, and email address where an application may be sent. Deadline to apply is March 15, 2019.

Abbott and Fenner Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship is available to all students that will be graduating in 2018 and attending a college or university. Students may apply at http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm. Full details are available at the website, including the essay topic and instructions on applying. Deadline to apply is June 14, 2019.

William D. Squires Educational Foundation – This $4,000 renewable scholarship is offered to graduating seniors who may have financial need, already know their career goal, are highly motivated, of good character, and have a minimum GPA of 3.20. There will be 15 scholarships awarded. A copy of the scholarship application and detailed information are available at www.wmdsquiresfoundation.org or in the Guidance office. Applications will be accepted from February 15^th through April 5^th.

Don E. Roach Memorial - Shelby County Coin Club Scholarship – Students graduating in 2017, and who have been accepted, or in the process of applying, to a two or four-year college/university, may apply for this scholarship. Application details are available in the Guidance office. Essays and cover sheets should be turned into the Guidance office by March 30, 2019 to meet the application deadline.

Sidney Shelby County YMCA Lee E. Schauer Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship is for any college bound seniors with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA, has participated in sports and/or fitness activities, and is a $12,000 scholarship paid over a 4-year period. A list of criteria and application is available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is April 5, 2019.

Sidney-Shelby County YMCA Jim Lantz Scholarship – This is a one-year nonrenewable $1,000 scholarship available to any college bound senior that is a Shelby County resident with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. Application is available in the Guidance office, and the deadline to apply is April 5, 2019.

Rotary Club of Sidney Scholarship – This year the Sidney Rotary Club will be awarding four scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. One scholarship will be awarded to a student that will be attending a trade school, and the other three will go to students attending four-year college/university programs. Applications and scholarship directions are available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is March 8, 2019.

Pohl Transportation Scholarship – Pohl Transportation of Versailles, is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a student who is pursuing a 2 or 4-year degree in a transportation-related field such as logistics, supply chain management and/or diesel technology. The application is available at www.darkecountyfoundation.org and the deadline to apply is March 31, 2019. If you have further questions call Christy Prakel at 937-548-4673 or email, her at dcf@darkecountyfoundation.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters “Big Buddies” Scholarship – Students applying for this $500 scholarship must meet the following requirements. Student must have at least a 2.5 GPA, attend a Shelby or Darke County school district, volunteer for Big Brothers Big sisters for two years and have a 75% attendance participation with the program, and planning to attend a two or four-year college, university, or technical school. Applications are available in the Guidance office. Deadline to apply is April 4, 2019.

UNIGO Scholarships – This national scholarship website offers hundreds of scholarship opportunities for high school seniors going onto 2 or 4-year colleges. Go to www.unigo.com if interested in applying or viewing the available scholarships.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Wilson Hospital Teen Volunteer Program – Students interested in a medical field career, may volunteer at Wilson Hospital in Sidney, in different areas of the hospital. If interested, call 937-498-5390.

St. Rita’s Hospital Youth Volunteer Program – Students ages 14-17, interested in pursuing a career in a medical field may participate in the St. Rita’s Youth Volunteer Program. If interested, students need to apply online at www.mercy.com/about-us/careers/volunteers, choose Lima as hospital choice, or call 419-227-3361 for more information.

Dorothy Love VolunTeen opportunities are now available for those interested in a career in nursing, social work, dietary, or marketing, this is an excellent way to discover interests. Volunteers will do things like walk, read, play games and visit with residents, to just name a few. Dorothy Love Retirement Community is located at 3003 W. Cisco Road, near Sidney. For further information, please pick-up a brochure and application in the Guidance office, call Betsy Naseman at 937-497-6529 or email her at bnaseman@dorothylover.oprs.org.