Contact chair: schooltolife [at] planopta.org
Resources:
Plano ISD recently launched its University Ready Web site, a resource to help students and parents with readiness for post-secondary education.
Check the calendar for college recruiting and other events. If you’re looking for specific colleges, enter the college name into the calendar search box.
* Destination College Workshops offered through Collin County Community College beginning September 18. Destination College web site.
* The Texas Online Preparation for College Admissions Test (TOPCAT) is available for all students in preparation for SAT/PSAT/ACT. It features:
- Test prep tutorials – all subjects – SAT and ACT,
- Practice sessions – sessions adapt to user ability level and include feedback
- Timed sample tests – pacing and simulated test conditions
- Vocabulary builder – over 1600 words
- Test-taking tips – strategy tutorials including “when to guess”game
- Best of all, it’s FREE for all students!
* The National Association of Secondary School Principals and Prudential Financial announce the 2006 Spirit of Community Awards for Middle Level and High School Youth Volunteers. These awards were created in 1995 to honor both middle level and high school students for outstanding acts of community service. Since then, more than 70.000 young people have been honored at the local, state and national level. Students interested in applying for this prestigious award must complete an application and return it to the counseling office no later than October 31. More information can be found on the web site.
* Nestle Very Best in Youth Program wants to recognize students who believe they can make a positive difference in their community. Students that are chosen by a panel of educators and business leaders will receive a number of prizes including an all-expense paid trip for them and a parent to the awards ceremony at the Globe Theatre, Hollywood, California, July 2007. These students will also receive $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. More information and applications are available on the web site or in the Counseling Office. The deadline is November 1.
* NASA Summer Program.
Ronak Shah, PESH Senior, was one of 295 high school juniors from across Texas who spent one week during '06 summer at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston. Ronak applied and was nominated by honorable state legislator Brian McCall to participate in this unique educational experience where selected students are challenged to complete 10 Web-based assignments during the school year and travel to JSC in the summer to explore options for sending humans to Mars.
During his weeklong experience at JSC, Ronak toured JSC facilities, attended briefings by noted NASA employees-including astronauts-and worked with a team to design a mission to Mars. He was spokesperson for his team and he presented their proposal at a luncheon to members of the Texas Legislature, Rotary NASA, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, JSC senior management, and most importantly, their parents. High school juniors interested in applying for the 2007-2008 program should visit http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/. Deadline for applications due to NASA is November 2.
* Seniors, if you are applying to Duke or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and are interested in applying for the prestigious and highly-competitive Robertson Scholars Program, please come by the counseling office for an application and additional information about the Program. The priority deadline for submitting the materials is December 1.
The DFW International Community Alliance has a Guide to Scholarships for New Americans and Minority Students on their website, listing over 100 opportunities. To view the scholarship listing, go to www.dfwinternational.org and click on Resource Center: Reports and Guides.
Mike Mansfield Fellowship is an intensive two-year professional development program that’s open to U.S. federal government employees with an interest in the U.S.-Japan relationship. Fellows spend a year in Japanese language and area studies training in Washington, D.C., followed by a year working in Japanese government or ministry offices. For more information, call Sara Seavey at 202-347-1994 or visit the Web site.
Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture sponsors several scholarships. For more visit the Web site
The Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck on Prom Contest is open to students age 14 years or older who are attending a high school prom in the spring. US citizenship is required. Entrants must enter as a couple (two individuals) and attend a high school prom wearing complete attire or accessories made from duct tape. The submission must include a color photograph of the couple together in prom attire. The first place prize consists of a $3,000 scholarship for each member of the winning couple and a $3,000 cash prize to the school that hosted the prom. Other prizes include $2,000 for second place, $1,000 for third, and Duck Tape sportswear for honorable mentions. The winning couple will be selected based on a variety of criteria, including originality, workmanship, quantity of Duck Tape used, use of colors, and creative use of accessories. The Duck Tape contest web site includes photographs of the winning costumes.
The Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award is open to graduating high school senior scholar athletes. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in academics, athletic performance, leadership and community service. Candidates must also be a resident of one of the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia. There will be one scholarship of $7,500 awarded to each of 25 regional winners. The deadline is in early March. http://www.whymilk.com/ or http://www.sammyapplication.com/
The Society of Performers, Artists, Athletes and Celebrities for Space Exploration, Inc. (SPAACSE) offers two $1,000 scholarships. SPAACSE Galaxy Music Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who are pursuing an interest in space music as a means of expressing the beauty and inspiration of the universe. The music submission must be recorded on either a cassette or CD and should be 4-6 minutes in length. Web site
Tall Clubs International (TCI) offers a $1,000 scholarship for tall people, the Kae Sumner Einfeldt Scholarship. Individual chapters may also offer local awards. Women who are at least 5’10” and men who are at least 6’2” are eligible for the award. Candidates must be under 21 years old and plan to attend college in the fall. Web site
The David Letterman Scholarship was established by David Letterman in 1985 to provide scholarships for telecommunications students at Ball State University. The awards are intended for average students who nevertheless have a creative mind. Winners are selected primarily based on creativity. Projects may involve a variety of media, including written work, research, audio, video, graphics and film. The winner receives a $10,000 scholarship. The first runner-up receives $5,000. The second runner-up receives $3,333. www.bsu.edu or Web site
The Scarpinato Scholarship pays full cost of attendance at Texas A&M University for anyone whose last name is Scarpinato by birth or marriage. Please contact the Financial Aid Department at 979-845-3236 for more information.
The Culinary Institute of America sponsors an annual All-American Apple Pie Recipe Contest. First prize is a $25,000 scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America. Second and third prizes are $15,000 and $10,000 scholarships. For more information, call 1-800-CULINARY. Other Culinary Institute of America scholarships can be found on their Web site