High school seniors with a minimum GPA of a 2.5 are eligible to apply for scholarships sponsored by Burger King. Please visit www.bkmclamorefoundation.org/WhatWeDo/ScholarsProgram for complete details.

The Columbus State University Honors Program is pleased to announce two merit-based scholarship competitions for graduating high school seniors. These include:

Presidential & Honors Scholars - Deadline: January 15, 2014. Awards up to $23,200 including a stipend that guarantees an opportunity for studying abroad.

University Scholars Competition - Deadline: March 15, 2014. Tuition scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $2,500 per year for up to four years.

Students invited to join the Honors Program will enjoy notable benefits such as priority registration and designated housing. Students are encouraged to apply early for scholarships and admission to the Honors Program by completing the application at www.ColumbusState.edu/Honors. This will guarantee consideration for acceptance into the program and the highest awards. Other scholarships to CSU can be reviewed from this website as well.

Top performing juniors are eligible to be nominated for the 24th annual pre-college PAVE program this summer at Vanderbilt University. PAVE provides the opportunity to explore majors and careers in engineering, medicine, the sciences and the humanities in a risk-free environment, while also having some summertime fun. Please visithttps://pave.vanderbilt.edu for more information. If you are interested in being nominated, please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office. The nominating deadline is December 14.

Students who whose primary residence is serviced by Walton EMC may be interested in being nominated for an available scholarship. A combination of financial need and academic ability will be used in determining scholarship fund winners. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and are due to Mr. Guthas by January 20.  From there, Walton EMC will determine the winners.

EOCT Dates
December 5-6: 9th Lit and Am Lit 
December 9-10: Coordinate Algebra and Analytic Geometry 
December 11-12: Biology and Physical Science 
December 13 and 16: US History and Economics

Please see this page for remediation opportunities http://www.oconee.k12.ga.us/ochs/index.php?module=blog&id=382

Monday, November 4th is the final day for Sophomores to sign up to take the PLAN (Pre-ACT) on Wednesday November 6th.  This is designed to give students an idea of what the ACT is like in addition to some valuable career planning information.  The cost is $16 and students can sign up with Ms Oliver in the front office.

There are several opportunities for scholarships for high achieving students planning on attending Georgia Southern next Fall. Please visit http://admissions.georgiasouthern.edu/programs/scholarships/ for complete details on the available scholarships and Honors Program at GSU.

Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants are pleased to be able to continue with our scholarship program for the 7^th year.  We will be awarding up to $1,000 to the winner(s) each year.  Scholarship Deadline   -  June 14, 2014.Application Process -Students will submit an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship page of our web site:  http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm  Full details are available on our site.

The Washington University in St. Louis offers students the chance to experience college early while taking undergraduate courses. For more information and application materials, visitSUMMEREXPERIENCES.WUSTL.EDU .

High achieving students may be nominated to attend the National Young Leaders Conference to be held in Washington, DC this summer. Ten students in grades 9-11 be nominated. For complete details, please visithttp://www.envisionexperience.com/explore-our-programs/national-young-leaders-conference. If interested after reviewing the requirements, please see Mr. Guthas by November 12 if you would like to be nominated.

The Athens Area Human Relations Council, Inc., is a citizen-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting positive and unified human relations in the Athens area as well as abroad based upon the philosophy, teachings, and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Scholarships will again be awarded this year at the annual MLK, Jr. Banquet to graduating seniors. Please visit the counseling office for a scholarship application and further details. Applications must be postmarked by Saturday, November 16, 2013.

Up to three deserving high school seniors can be nominated for the Columbus State University Servant Leadership Program scholarship. The Servant Leadership Program is a four-year leadership program at CSU that focuses on leadership through service.  The amount of the scholarship is $2,500 per year. In return, students have the opportunity to serve in a community agency during the fifteen week semester, mentor an at-risk child and go on leadership retreats.  Please visit www.columbusstate.edu/servant to learn more about this program. Students are expected to have a 3.0 GPA. If you are interested in being nominated, please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office by December 1, 2013.

The Optimist Essay Contest is a good way for students to voice their opinions, receive recognition, and to have the chance to receive a $2,500 scholarship. The topic this year is, "How Dreams Lead to Success." The essays must be received by December 17, 2013. For complete details and an entry form, please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office.

The Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) is pleased to announce the 2014 Julian and Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is open to Georgia high school seniors who will be entering a Georgia college, university or technical college in the fall semester of 2014.  The scholarship is named after long time CBA Chief Executive Officer, the late Julian Hester and his late daughter, Jan Hester. Jan was a senior at UGA when she died in an auto accident in 1990. The CBA will award four (4) $1,000 scholarships.  The applications can be picked up in the counseling office or downloaded at www.cbaofga.com. They must be submitted to a CBA member bank. A list of participating area banks can be found on the website above. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 4, 2014.

Do you know that the newest apps many of our students are using to communicate?  Read this article to see - http://www.today.com/tech/where-kids-are-social-networks-parents-may-not-know-about-8C11414212

The Oconee County Little League will recognize outstanding seniors who have the love of the game of softball and baseball. A scholarship will be awarded towards the educational cost to post-secondary education. Five seniors will be recognized throughout Oconee County between the area high schools.  All high school seniors that have played baseball/softball at least two years of their high school career and reside in Oconee County will be eligible to apply. Any student receiving a full four year scholarship to play baseball/softball is not eligible.  Please pick up an application in the Counseling Office. The application and all supporting documents must be hand delivered to an Oconee Little League Representative no later than January 31, 2014 at 7:00 PM.

The Georgia Farm Bureau is inviting high school students to participate in their annual art contest. Ten district winners will receive $100 cash each. There will also be two state runner up winners ($150) and a state winner ($250).  The artwork must be on a 8 1/2 x 11-inch white paper and should be either in black ink or pencil. The drawings will be judged on how well the artwork represents modern agriculture found in the student's county OR Georgia's agriculture industry.  Please see Mr. Guthas in the counseling office or Mr. Pinneau for an entry form. All entry forms must be submitted to the county Farm Bureau office by February 14, 2014.

Juniors who plan on attending college need to consider taking the PSAT on Wednesday, October 16 to get prepared for the SAT.  The SAT only gives you a score, the PSAT gives you a scores, the questions with correct answers and a study guide to help you prepare for the SAT.  The PSAT only costs $16 and your student can sign up with Ms Oliver in the front office.  Signup deadline in October 7.

Sophomores who are interested in developing leadership skills, may be interested in being nominated to attend the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. OCHS can send one sophomore student to this event this summer. Please visit www.HOBY.org for complete details. If you are interested in being nominated, please see Mr. Guthas by October 2.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation invites high school students to write an essay on an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1956. The first-place winner receives $10,000. The second-place winner receives $1,000. Up to five finalists receive $500 each. For essay information, registration and submission, visit jfklibrary.org .

Students who plan on attending the University of North Georgia may be interested in learning more about their Honors Program. Freshman applicants to the Honors Program must have a minimum academic GPA of a 3.5 and a minimum SAT score of 1150 (CR & Math). An ACT composite score of 24 is required. For complete details, please visit http://ung.edu/honors-program. You may also contact Dr. Eric Skipper at (678) 717-3947.

Attention students and parents. Colleges and Universities from across the county are coming to Athens for the annual PROBE College Fair. Meet with representatives from over 90 Colleges and Universities. Learn more about academic majors, admissions, and scholarships.  The fair will be held at The Classic Center on Monday, September 16th from 6:00-8:30 pm.  Pre-register at www.gaprobe.org or text CollegeTour to 33233.

The President's Scholarship Competition at Georgia College and State University will be held on December 6, 2013. The PSC awards scholarships to incoming first-year students with superior academic accomplishments. Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1250 (critical reading and math) or an ACT Composite Score of 28. The minimum academic GPA must be a 3.5. The competition includes a personal interview with GA College faculty members and a class discussion with faculty and students. A tour of the campus will be given as well. For complete details and registration information, please visit gscu.edu/psc.

Top 10th, 11th and 12th grade students of OCHS can be nominated to attend the Careers in National Security: Diplomacy, Intelligence & Defense, a National Youth Leadership Forum to be held in Washington, D.C. this spring. During six days of stimulating, hands-on experiences, students will learn about national security careers while enhancing communication, conflict resolution and decision-making skills. For more information and to be nominated, please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office. The nomination deadline is September 27

The University of Georgia will host the annual Athens PROBE College Fair on Monday, September 16, 2013 from 6-8:30pm at the Classic Center located downtown Athens.  High school students from the surrounding area have the opportunity to gain valuable information from approximately 100 southeastern colleges and universities.

Coordinated by the University of Georgia Office of Undergraduate Admissions, this event allows students, parents, and those interested in higher education to gather information about schools from across the nation.  Admissions representatives will be readily available to answer questions on topics such as admissions criteria, application deadlines, financial aid, SAT/ACT requirements, and campus life.

For registration information visit www.gaprobe.org  Parking will be available at the Classic Center deck during the event.

Students interested in Boston University may want to learn more about the BU Trustee Scholarship Competition. There will be 26 new Trustee Scholars selected for next fall at BU. The scholarship pays for four years of full tuition. Please visit bu.edu/admissions/trustee for complete details.

For information regarding college level co-op programs, please visit www.waceinc.org . This site will provide information on merit scholarships to nine different institutions with co-op programs. There are 160 merit scholarships available. The deadline to apply for the scholarships is February 14, 2014

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation seeks to grant individuals scholarships to the University of Virginia. Jefferson Scholarships are granted on the basis of merit alone. The Foundation pays directly to each recipient a stipend that will cover the full cost of attending the University. The award covers living expenses as well as tuition.  The Jefferson Scholars Foundation will select the most highly talented students in the world. Successful applicants must have demonstrated uncommon academic abilities, exceptional leadership talents and an understanding of the broader community around them. For further details, please visit http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/ . OCHS can nominate one student for this scholarship. After reviewing the website,  please see Mr. Guthas by October 1 if you are interested in being nominated.


Senior students who are interested in attending Auburn University may be interested in visiting auburn.edu/scholarship to review available scholarships for next Fall. Incoming Freshmen must apply through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager by December 1 to receive consideration for Freshman scholarships and priority consideration for General Scholarships.

The Mercer University School of Engineering is pleased to invite seniors to participate in their annual Scholarship Challenge in Macon, GA on Saturday, November 16. This event will include a campus tour, a parent's program and a scholarship challenge (test) in the afternoon. You may contact the event coordinator, Dr. Aaron Collins, at (478) 301-2097 or collins_as@mercer.edu for further questions.

Students may now be nominated for the Careers in Medicine Forum being held this summer hosted by Envision. Students attending Careers in Medicine hear directly from graduate students about the medical school application process and a typical first-year experience. Nominees will experience firsthand the challenges facing medial students and health care professionals. The program is open to all high school students and up to ten OCHS students can be nominated. For complete details, please visit www.envisionexperience.com/TeachMedicine . If you are interested in being nominated after reviewing the website, please let Mr. Guthas know by September 20.  

Broun to Host Military Academy Day 2013

U.S. Representative Paul C. Broun, M.D. (GA-10) will host a Military Academy Day on Saturday, September 21^st from 10 a.m. until noon in the Old Georgia Capitol Building of Georgia Military College.  Representatives from the United States Air Force, Naval, Military, Merchant Marine and Coast Guard academies will be in attendance to talk about the application and nomination process and to answer questions.  The event is free and open to students in grades eight through twelve.  Those who are interested in attending can contact Reagan Williams at 706-340-9410 or Reagan.Williams@mail.house.gov with any questions.

Apply for the 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Award and you could win $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., next May. Please visit spirit.prudential.com or nassp.org/spirit for complete details and to access the application. The deadline to have your application and student/parent agreement completed is November 5, 2013

Scholarships at Davidson College

THE BELK SCHOLARSHIP

The John Montgomery Belk Scholarship is Davidson’s most prestigious merit-based program. Covering the comprehensive costs of attending Davidson (room, board, tuition and fees), the Belk Scholarship is valued at over $54,000 in 2013-14.  Belk Scholars are those students whose outstanding intellectual ability and success, leadership experience, commitment to service and overall personal vigor mark them as those who will accomplish much and contribute most to the Davidson community and in their lives beyond their college years. Each school may nominate one Belk Scholarship candidate, no later than November 8, 2013. Materials are available at www.davidson.edu/Belk. 

Nominees’ admission applications must be completed and received in our office no later than December 2, 2013

Approximately 60 semi-finalists (chosen from an anticipated nomination pool of over  800 candidates) will be interviewed by telephone in February.  Twenty-five to thirty finalists will participate in Belk Scholars Selection Weekend, March 20-22, 2014.

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THE BRYAN SCHOLARSHIP

The Lowell Bryan Scholarship program awards, each valued at $30,000 annually, are offered to two scholar-athletes (one woman and one man) in each entering class.

Candidates are chosen on the basis of: academic and personal excellence, strong promise of significant impact in their classes and in their lives on campus, proven potential for significant success in Davidson’s NCAA Division I athletic program.

Each school may nominate up to three candidates for the Bryan Scholarship.  The nomination deadline is September 20, 2013. Students may also be nominated by Davidson coaches of the 18 eligible sports (men’s and women’s basketball and football are not eligible)  (Visit www.davidson.edu/Bryan for details and nomination materials.) 

Nominees’ admission applications must be completed and received in our office no later than 5:00 pm on October 15, 2013

Finalists will participate in selection interviews on campus on November 2-3, 2013.

For additional information on these and other merit opportunities at Davidson, contact Ms. Gardner Roller Ligo, Director of Merit Programs, at 704.894.2970 or galigo@davidson.edu. 

Updated link for PROBE.  
If you and your student are attending the PROBE Fair at the Classic Center on September 16, use this site to pre register for a barcode that can be scanned by colleges you are interested in http://www.gaprobe.org/students  This site has been having issues, you may need to clear cookies on your browser before opening it.

FREE Driver’s Education Parent Workshop

Join us on Monday, August 26th, 2012, from 6-7:30pm for a Parent Workshop outlining the steps for your teen to obtain his or her Class D driver’s license. At this workshop, we will cover information about Joshua’s Law, TADRA, the graduated licensing process, teen driving safety, and insurance discounts. We will also be providing a driving simulation demonstration. Discount coupons for upcoming 30/6 driver training classes will be distributed to workshop attendees. You can register online atwww.georgiaopenroad.com under “Driver Training Courses”. Be sure to reserve your spot today! See back for directions to our office.

Advice on avoiding college debt from Clark Howard http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/atlanta-bargain-hunter/2013/aug/22/ollege-week-clark-howards-tips-avoiding-student-de/

The Istanbul Center, in partnership with Atlantic Institute, is sponsoring an art and essay contest. The theme this years is Connecting Cultures in the Digital Age: How Does Social Media Change the Future of our World. Artwork can be submitted in drawing, painting, collage, photography and graphic design. The essays can be either a persuasive essay, informative, narrative or true story. Please visit www.artessay.org for complete details. The deadline for all entries is December 20, 2013.


Camp MAGIK, a healing camp for bereaved children, is now accepting applications for its 2013 fall session. Camp MAGIK serves children ages seven through high-school, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other close family member within the past three years.  Camp MAGIK will provide an opportunity for children and teens to meet, talk, and process their grief with professional grief counselors.
The fall informational session of camp will be at the YWCO Camp in Clarkesville October 4-6(deadline for applications is September 25, 2013). Registration forms may also be found on our website,www.campmagik.org, under the “join us” tab). Camp MAGIK has served over 2,700 bereaved children in Georgia over the past 18 years. The camp sessions are free of charge for all participating children. There is also a retreat available for adults who want to process their own grief with other adults who are grieving. The retreat is held on the same campuses as the children’s camp sessions, led by professional bereavement counselor.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Dr. Rene McClatchey via e-mail atcampmagik@gmail.com, or via phone, 404.790.0140.

If you are planning to attend the PROBE college fair on Monday, September 16 at the Classic Center, go ahead a pre-register.  This will allow your selected colleges to scan your barcode and download your contact information immediately.  Register at

https://www.gotocollegefairs.com/Registration/EventSelectForState?StateName=Georgia

UGA’s ‘Vet School for a Day’ set for September

Athens, Ga. – Registration is now open for the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s Vet School for a Day. Held Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the college’s campus, the program teaches high school juniors and seniors about the wide variety of careers in veterinary medicine.

Registration, which is required, will close Sept. 6. Students from throughout Georgia and South Carolina are encouraged to attend.

Vet School for a Day includes a tour of the teaching hospital, a panel discussion by faculty veterinarians in a variety of specialties and the opportunity for the high school students to meet veterinary student leaders. Students also will learn about the high standards for admission to the college and what they need to study to be prepared for veterinary school.

“Through this program, we hope to educate students and guidance counselors about the many career opportunities available within the field of veterinary medicine,” said Paige Carmichael, associate dean for academic affairs.

All students must be accompanied by an adult chaperone—a parent, counselor or teacher. Students attend for free, but to help offset the cost for food, there is a $15 per-person fee for each chaperone, payable on the day of the event.

For more information or to register, see www.vet.uga.edu/academic/vet_school_for_a_day.

Vet School for a Day is sponsored by the David Forehand Foundation, created in memory of alumnus Dr. David Forehand, who graduated from the college in 1976.

Welcome Back!

Parent Nights are coming!

• Senior Parent Night, August 19 at 6:00pm at the Oconee County Civic Center 
• Junior Parent Night, August 19 at 7:30pm at the Oconee County Civic Center 
• Freshman Parent Night, August 26 at 6:00pm at the Oconee County Civic Center 
• Sophomore Parent Night, August 26 at 7:30pm at the Oconee County Civic Center 

Leadership Opportunities
Any student interested may apply for a position on the State School Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee. Information and an application can be found at http://www.gadoe.org/Pages/Student-Advisory-Council.aspx

Current Sophomores and Juniors can apply to be part of Youth Leadership Oconee, which develops young leaders at a local level. Applications can be picked up in the Guidance Office.

New Scholarships 
In 2011, SACAC initiated Extend the Dream Scholarships to recognize and reward deserving students. These scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and community service. Awards are in the amount of $1,000 and are not renewable. Applications are due in late May each year. Scholarship Criteria:
Applicant must be a current high school senior graduating from a public, private, parochial high school or home school located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or the Caribbean 
Applicant must be accepted by and plan to attend an accredited, non-proprietary, technical, community or four-year college in the fall following his/her graduation
Applicant must have at least a 2.75 grade point average for grades 9-12.
 Applicant must have financial need
 Applicant must demonstrate a commitment to community service, social justice issues, and/or leadership qualities
Applicant must submit ACT and/or SAT scores
The contact person for the scholarship is SACAC Grants Chair, Joyce Mai (joyce_mai@ncsu.edu). The link to the website is http://www.sacac.org/student-scholarships.

The Horatio Alger Association provides financial assistance to students who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Recipients must be graduating in May 2014 and plan on pursuing a bachelor's degree. The scholarships are given to deserving students each year and range in award value from $5,000 to $20,000. Students may apply online August 1 - October 25, 2013 at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.

Students may now be nominated for the William H. and Elizabeth Gray Danforth Scholars Program at Washington University. Candidates are sought who have exhibited a capacity for service and leadership, as well as academic excellence, and who will embrace the challenges of a rigorous academic curriculum. Students who exhibit maturity, strong moral character, selflessness and commitment to the community are especially desired. For complete details, please visit www.admissions.wustl.edu . You may also call (800) 638-0700. The deadline to be nominated is October 15, 2013. Up to 40 applicants will be selected as finalists and invited to campus March 27-30, 2014, for a required interview weekend.

Applicants of Hispanic heritage with a 3.0 high school GPA may be eligible for a scholarship to the University of North Georgia (Oconee Campus) for next Fall. Please contact Dr. Kristen Roney at Kristen.roney@ung.edu , (678) 717-3748 for complete details and application information.

The Progressive Outreach Coalition promotes academic excellence, leadership development and professionalism. Applicants must be raised by their grandparents and have a GPA of a 2.8 or higher. A two page essay, copy of the high school transcript and two adult references must be included with the application. For more information, please visit http://pocoalition.org/about.html . You may also email scholarship@pocoalition.org for more info. as well.

The Ron Brown Scholar Program seeks to identify African-American high school seniors who will make significant contributions to society. Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need. The applicant must be a US citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card. Applications and further requirements can be obtained at www.ronbrown.org.

Other Opportunities 
Applications are now being accepted for the 2013-2014 Athens Area Chapter of the Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board of Trustees. Highly talented high school students are being sought out to fill current vacancies on the Board. The Watson-Brown Foundation labors to improve education and preserve history in the American South, in part through the Junior Board. The exclusive mission of the Board is to preserve local history. During the school year the Junior Board conducts research, pre-grant inquiries, and site visits, as well as determining final grant awards for preservation projects. All interested students can pick up an application in the Counseling Office or through email at shays@trrcobbhouse.org . You may also contact Ms. Shanon Stroer at (706) 369-3513 for more information. The application deadline is September 18.

Washington University invites students and their families to meet with a representative of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The event will take place on Sunday, September 15 from 3:00 - 4:00 at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center. No reservation is needed. For additional information, please call (800) 638-0700.

Vandy Fan For A Day provides high school sophomores and juniors of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds with invaluable information about the selective college admissions process, insight to their need based aid and affordability, and a chance to enjoy the excitement of an SEC football game as the Vanderbilt Commodores take on the University of Kentucky. Ten high-achieving students (five sophomores and five freshmen) may be nominated from OCHS. In addition to selecting high-achieving students, the following factors will be considered: -Students who will be first generation college students -Students participating in free or reduced lunch -Students who are significantly involved in the community. Please see Mr. Guthas in the counseling office if you meet the criteria and are interesting in being nominated by Monday, September 9.

Camp College!

Oconee County High School PTO along with Open Road is excited to announce our first annual Camp College on July 27 from 8:00-4:30. Camp College is a day long event where parents and students will meet with various college representatives to discuss the issues facing our students as they start the college process. We will have representatives from Georgia colleges and universities and some out of state colleges and universities as well as the military to discuss military options. We have invited 20 different schools and already have commitments from UGA, North Georgia, Young Harris and Georgia Student Finance. The day will consist of breakfast and lunch provided, eight small group information sessions, as well as time to meet individually with the college representatives. Each student will leave with valuable information on how to write essays, the SAT/ACT process, financial aid, transitioning to college, the benefits of out of state colleges, how to choose the best college for you and college athletics; as well as a manual with this information and more. Stop by OCHS anytime between 7-5, Monday-Thursday to pick up an application!

Parents, we need your help!

Parents, Your help is needed to complete the Parent Survey found at by Friday, April 26 at midnight: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/section/response/begin?surveyConfigId=88573

Scholarship Deadline Extended

If your senior is planning to pursue a career in education, the scholarship deadline for the Dr John Jackson Scholarship awarded by Peach State Credit Union has been extended to April 24. There are currently very few applicants and this scholarship will be awarded to a senior enrolled in Oconee County Schools. Please stop by the guidance office to pick up an application

EOCT Review Session Schedule can be found at http://www.oconeeschools.org/ochs/index.php?module=blog&id=318 Please encourage your students to attend as many of these as possible. Information about Prom and Afterprom can be found at http://www.oconeeschools.org/ochs/index.php?module=blog&id=285 Afterprom is still looking for volunteers to help provide our students with a safe fun way to spend the night.

Happy Spring Break!

In an effort to improve system practices, Oconee County Schools is conducting a parent survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. The web survey will be available until April 26.  Here are the links for the parent and student surveys.  Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.  If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Scott Gordon at sgordon@oconeeschools.org or 706-769-5130 ext. 1306.

The Oconee Chamber of Commerce is once again please to announce that it will award a $500 scholarship to one graduate from each of the county's five high schools that will be attending a 2 year or four year college after graduation. The Chamber is also offering a $500 scholarship to one graduate from each school that will be attending a Technical College after graduation.  Applications for these scholarships can be picked up in the Counseling Office. The application should be turned in to the Chamber of Commerce office by April 2.

 

The Atlanta Braves are pleased to invite high achieving students to participate in the 2013 All-Star Student Achievers Program presented by Chick-fil-A. The All-Star Student Achievers Program rewards students for their hard work and dedication to academic excellence. All-Star Student achievers will receive two complimentary tickets to a 2013 Braves regular season home game. Students are eligible to apply for the program is they met one of the following criteria for the 2012 Fall Semester:

- Straight A's

- Honor Roll

- Perfect Attendance

Students can register fro the program online at braves.com/achiever.

Athens Technical College is offering several scholarships to students. Please go to http://www.athenstech.edu/Foundation/scholarship.cfm to review the criteria for each.   

Please note that complete application packets are DUE to the Athens Tech Foundation Office, Room F-136, by 4pm Thursday, April 4, 2013. The recipients will be announced Friday, April 26, 2013.  This scholarship is administered through the Athens Tech Foundation so if you have questions or need additional information please contact the Foundation office at 706/425-3046

 

The Dean Stuart Feldman Summer Science Institute is designated to provide an introduction and overview of the many career opportunities which are available in the science profession. The six day program exposes students to classroom and laboratory experiences. Accepted students to the program must participate from June 2-7. Rising juniors and seniors in high school who are interested in sciences and pharmacy and encouraged to apply. For complete details and to download the application, please visit http://www.rx.uga.edu/index.php/student_affairs_office/summer_science_institute/ . The deadline to apply is April 30.

 

The Alpha Iota Delta of Chi Psi Fraternity at Georgia Tech is proud to announce the Bryan Scholarship to GA Tech. The scholarship is in memory of Oscar Virgil Bryan, who was a member of the fraternity. This scholarship is worth $1,000 and will be offered to one male student entering GA Tech in the Fall. It will be awarded to someone who best exemplifies the ideals of the fraternity as demonstrated by Bryan. Please see Mr. Guthas in the counseling office if interested in applying. The application deadline is April 30.

 

Wofford proudly announces the 65th annual Wofford Scholars Program. Qualified candidates are eligible to compete for scholarships ranging from $3,000 per year up to full scholarship, which is valued at approximately $45,000 per year.  OCHS is invited to nominate current juniors for this award. The criteria for nomination are as follows:

-Students must rank in the top 10% of the class.

-Students must have achieved a minimum score of 1250 (CR and Math) on the PSAT or SAT, or 28 composite score on the PLAN or ACT.

-The student must also demonstrate qualities of scholarship, leadership, and potential for success.

Nominees are screened by the Wofford Scholars Selection Committee and if the criteria is met, they will be invited to attend Woffords Scholars Day. Please see Mr. Guthas by April 1 in the Counseling Office if you meet the criteria and would like to be nominated.

For those of you who are starting or in the midst of the college applications process, here's an article with some good advice http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/college-applications-a-guide-to-being-zenduring-march-madness/2013/02/26/af95ff0e-79e5-11e2-9a75-dab0201670da_story.html

The Athens Area Retired Educators Association is sponsoring a $500 scholarship to an OCHS senior. The following criteria will be used in the scholarship selection:

 

1. Humanness

2. Personal qualities (personality, perseverance, morals, ethics, dedication, etc.)

3. Breadth of activities in school

4. Volunteerism/community participation or work experience

5. GPA

If you are interested in being nominated for this scholarship, please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office. Please bring with you submissions in either "vita" or narrative form addressing the criteria outlined above. You may have someone (counselor/teacher) write the submission for you as well. The deadline to submit a paper is Monday, March 25

The Bon Bons Social and Civic Club annually awards book scholarships to high school seniors who have been accepted to an institution of higher learning. This year, the club will award book scholarship opportunities to students who meet the following criteria:

- Must be African-American senior female

- Must have been accepted to a University, College or Technical School (must attach letter of acceptance with application)

Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and must be submitted on or before April 5, 2013 for consideration.

Rocky Branch Elementary is hosting Camp Invention, a weeklong summer program for children entering grades 1-6, from June 3 - June 7 and June 10 - June 14. High school students who are interested in working with elementary children and mentoring may be interested in working at the camps. This would be a great leadership experience for students to add to a a resume.

For more information and complete details, please contact Jolaine Whitehead at jwhitehead@oconeeschools.org . To learn more about Camp Invention, visit www.campinvention.org . 

The southeast's largest career exploration event is the 2013 SKILLS Career Expo at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park on March 21-22, 2013.  Not only will their be employers representing many different careers, students will also get to talk to students pursuing those careers.

The University of Georgia will be hosting a College Goal Georgia event on February 23^rd at 2:00pm in the Miller Learning Center, Room 150 located at 48 Baxter Street Athens, GA 30602. More information can be online at www.collegegoalsundayga.com.  College Goal will allow you to fill out your FAFSA with guidance and support from a trained professional.  You do not need to be planning to go to UGA to take adavantage of this program.

Any female students within our school that are unable to attend the prom due to financial hardships have an opportunity to submit an application for Cinderella Makeovers for prom and to receive a prom dress. Applications are due prior to the end of February and can be picked up in the Counseling Office.  This is sponsored by Friends of Advantage. Friends of Advantage is a 501C3 non-profit which directly assists Advantage Behavioral Health Systems in serving individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, addictive diseases, and homelessness.

 

The Janice M. Scott Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in October 2001 by the husband (Abraham) and family members of the late Janice Marie Scott to honor her legacy as a tremendous advocate for youth. Mrs. Scott was one of the 125 individuals who perished in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.   Three to five scholarships in the amount of $2,500 will be rewarded to high school seniors this year. If a senior wishes to apply, he or she must complete the application and submit it along with other required documents. All required documents must be received or postmarked on or before the deadline date of March 31, 2013. Students must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 to apply. Applications may be picked up in the Counseling Office.

 

The goal of the Furman Scholars program is to recognize students with the desire to learn, to know, to challenge, to connect, to solve. Students selected as Furman Scholars are eligible for at least $5,000 in scholarships upon acceptance into Furman University.

Current juniors who meet the following criteria may be nominated for this award:

 - A high school weighted GPA of a 3.5 or higher.

-A genuine interest in an education in the liberal arts and sciences.

-Significant involvement in extracurricular activities and community service.

-Demonstrated leadership potential.

-One of the following test scores: PSAT score of 120 or higher (critical reading and math); SAT score of 1200 or higher (critical reading and math); ACT composite score of 26 or higher.

Please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office if you meet all of the criteria and are interested in being nominated. All nominations must be submitted by March 15, 2013.

FYI Fair and Registration Info

Thursday is a big night at OCHS.  Our 8th graders and their parents will be joining us at 5:30, and our FYI Fair will begin at 6:20.  The FYI Fair is an opportunity for parents and students to learn about course offerings (including AP class, CTAE and fine arts courses), joint enrollment options, teen driving laws and much more.  Go to the OCHS homepage at www.oconeeschools.org/ochs and click on "Read More" for a complete list of offerings

If you scroll down the webpage a little further, you will also find links to all of our course offerings and registration materials for next year.

Do you have a newly licensed or soon to be licensed teen driver?  Attend the FREE Georgia Teens Ride With PRIDE Course- Hosted by Open Road Services and the Athens/Clarke County Sheriff's Office

Thursday, February 21, 2013, 6-8pm

Athens Career Academy, 440 Dearing Extension Building #1, Athens, GA 30606

Register by Calling 770.725.2511 or online at www.georgiaopenroad.com

Georgia Teens Ride With P.R.I.D.E.(Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error) is a FREE, National Award- Winning two-hour course designed to help parents and their new (or soon to be) teen drivers, ages 14-16, learn what they need to do during the 40 hours of supervised practice driving time required by Georgia law. This is not a hands-on, mechanical "how-to" course, but a class that addresses driving attitude and behavior of teenagers.

This course will:

-help parents become more aware of their own driving behaviors

-teach parents how to help their teenagers become safe drivers

-alter attitudes and driving behaviors of novice teenage drivers

 

Parents and teens must register and attend together.

All participants will receive a $50 discount coupon for upcoming driver's education courses!

Underclass registration is coming!  Information in posted on the OCHS homepage at www.oconeeschools.org/ochs

Make plans now to attend the AP Parent Night/FYI Fair on Thursday, February 7 from 6:15-8:00.  We will have sessions about course offerings, teen driving laws, and joint enrollment opportunities among others.

The goal of the Julian and Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship is to assist deserving high school seniors in their first year of college and to promote community banking. The scholarship application is open to seniors who will be continuing their education in the Fall of 2013. Awards are based on merit, not financial need. At least (4) $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.   Applications may be picked up in the Counseling Office and are due to Kristi Greer at Oconee State Bank by 4:00 PM on April 5.

 

The Univision 34's "Liga de Campeones" Scholarship is designed to motivate Latino youth in the area to pursue higher education. Applicants must be bilingual (Spanish/English), have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher, must be of Hispanic descent and must reside in an area that receives the Univsion 34 signal.  Applications can be picked up in the Counseling office and must be postmarked by February 28, 2013. An essay and teacher nomination is also required for the application.

The primary purpose of the Oconee Lions Youth Citizenship Award is to recognize the achievements of two Oconee County High School graduating seniors who provide the evidence of the following criteria:  1. Good Citizenship, 2. An active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community, and 3. A record of service to the community without personal financial reward.

The award is not intended to necessarily benefit students with "high" grade point averages. In the evaluation, consideration will be given to need, recommendations, personal achievements and a statement of the applicant's personal goals. Special weight will be given to community service accomplishments.

The amount of the award is $1,000 to each of two graduating seniors. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling office and must be turned in to Mr. Guthas by April 26, 2013.

 

The Peach State Credit Union scholarship is in honor of Dr. John Jackson, retired Superintendent of Oconee County Schools, for his contributions to the Oconee County School System. It will be awarded to an Oconee County Public School graduating senior pursuing a degree in education. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office. The deadline to apply is March 22, 2013.

Senior parents, please check this Senior Balfour 2013 flyer for information regarding graduation!

OCHS and NOHS will co-host a representative from the Georgia Student Finanace Commision on Tuesday, January 15th at 6pm in the NOHS Fine Arts Auditorium. They will explain the ins and outs of the financial aid process as well as answer specific questions about finanacial aid and HOPE.

Best Buy is awarding $1.1 milllion in scholarships for high school students through the Best Buy Scholarship Program. Students who demonstrate good grades, commitment to community service and/or work experience are eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, please visit http://pr.bby.com .

The Washington Youth Tour sponsored by Walton EMC is designed to make students better leaders and instill greater confidence. Sophmores and Juniors have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in this exciting event. Students will have the chance to meet Georgia's U.S. Representatives and Senators, tour many sites in Washington and attend professional development workshops led by certified leadership trainers. All sophomore and junior students who live in Walton EMC's service area are eligible to apply. Please see Mr. Guthas in the counseling office for a brochure and entry form. The entry form deadline is Friday, February 8. The Washington Youth Tour is from June 13-20.