Camp MAGIK is pleased to announce its 2015 fall schedule of healing camps for children and teens. Camp MAGIK (Mainly About Grief In Kids) serves children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other close family member within the past three years. Many activities and discussions with grief counselors will take place during the camp. This year, the dates are October 2-4 in Cleveland, Georgia.

Camp MAGIK sessions are free of charge for the children who attend. Each camp will be divided by age groups (7-11) and (12-18). There are also sessions for the parents of the children as well. Please visit www.campmagik.org for more information and an application. The applications must be received by fax or mail by Wednesday, September 23, 2015. Free transportation from Athens is given.

On October 20, 2015, more than 40 institutions will be at the Christian College Fair sponsored by the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals.

The college fair will be hosted at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Georgia, from 10 a.m. until noon. Financial aid sessions will be provided for students, parents, and high school teachers and administrators. It is a great time for you and your students to learn about Christian higher education.

All students are invited to participate in the Christopher Columbus Essay Contest. The title of the essay this year is: "Columbus and Lindbergh: A Journey Across the Atlantic". If you are interested in American History and would like more information about the essay, please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office. There is not prize money for winning at the local level, but one national winner will receive $1,200 and a trip to Washington, D.C. The essay is due September 24, 2015

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

For the general component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:

• are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline (Students who were not U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents on the day they took SAT or ACT exam, or who requested that The College Board or ACT not release their scores to outside entities, should contact the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program at (319) 688-4345 to ensure their scores are considered in the determination of the candidate pool.);
• graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2016, the current program year; and
• score exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program, based on tests taken during the two-year window that begins in September, 2013 and runs through October, 2015, (for the recognition cycle concluding in June, 2016), nominated by their Chief State School Officer (CSSO) or nominated by one of our partner recognition organizations based on outstanding scholarship.

For the arts component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:

• are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline;
• graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2016, the current program year;
• demonstrate academic achievement and talent in the visual, creative and performing arts; and
• participate in the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide YoungArts program.

For the CTE component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:

• are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline;
• graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2016, the current program year;
• demonstrate academic achievement in career and technical programs; and
• are nominated by their state's Chief State School Officer.

For complete details about this program, please visit http://www.ed.gov/psp. OCHS can nominate one student to attend. If you are interesting in being nominated after reviewing the website, please see your counselor by Friday, September 4. 

Youth Leadership Oconee for Sophomores and Juniors

Applications are now being accepted for Youth Leadership Oconee. Current 10th and 11th grade students who want to further develop their leadership skills and channel those skills towards helping others should apply. Students also who want to learn how to take on a more active leadership role in the community should apply as well. The application deadline to the Oconee Chamber of Commerce is Friday, September 4.

The application can be found at http://www.oconeeschools.org/cms/lib8/GA01903601/Centricity/Domain/8/YLO%202015-16%20Printable%20Application.pdf

Welcome Back!

Save the Date!  Our Guidance Parent nights will be held on Monday, August 24.  More information regarding dates and times will be coming your way!

The 2015 Academy Day will be on Saturday, August 29 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. This is for students who are interested in the United States Air Force, Naval, Military, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine academies. Representatives from the five academies will be present to discuss their requirements and expectations for admittance.

All students admitted to our nation's military Service Academies must first be nominated by at least one member of their state's Congressional Delegation. Students seeking the nomination from Representative Jody Hice should submit a completed application to his Monroe office by October 9, 2015. To access the application and learn more about the nomination process, please visit his website at https://hice.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.

If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact Deputy Chief of Staff Jessica Hayes atJessica.Hayes@mail.house.gov or (706) 564-1286.