The Education Foundation of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that $500 scholarships will be offered to one 2015 graduate from each of the five high schools in Oconee County. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and will be accepted by the Chamber between February 23 and April 2. Interested students should mail the application and all other required documentation directly to the Chamber of Commerce.

Georgia Southwestern offers numerous scholarships for freshmen that are funded through the generosity of their alumni, parents, former faculty members and friends of the university. Please visit https://gsw.edu/foundation/scholarships for more information

The Cavaliers' Club of Athens will award a $500.00 cash scholarship to a graduating high school student who meets the criteria listed below. The applicant will be judged on academic achievement, community service, school involvement and letters of recommendation.  Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and must be postmarked by April 24, 2015. Students must have a 3.0 GPA and have been accepted to a post-secondary institution.

The Presbyterian College Fellows Award recognizes high school juniors who have demonstrated superior academic achievement. The scholarship awards $500 annually for four years of study at Presbyterian. Selection as a PC Fellow also grants students consideration for other academic scholarships.

Juniors may be nominated who meet two of the following criteria:

PSAT (CR and Math only) score of 110 or higher

SAT (CR and Math only) score of 1100 or higher

ACT Composite score of 24 or higher

Ranked in the top 10 percent of the class.

A weighted GPA of 3.5 or more.

Please see Mr. Guthas in the Counseling Office if interested and meet the criteria. Nominations must be submitted byMarch 31.

AfterProm is Coming!!

After Prom Advance Ticket Sale Week: March 16 - 20, 2015.One month before After Prom, we have the Advance Ticket Sale week at lunches. Only tickets sold this week will be at a reduced price and will include a t-shirt with a ticket purchase! Discount ticket price has been based on funds raised from NOHS and OCHS parents in the "Sponsor Our Students" Campaign. Donations are still being accepted through the After Prom website. The discount ticket price will be announced at 9 PM Sunday via social media and the After Prom website.

Students must have a completed registration form, found on the After Prom website (www.afterpromoconee.com), in order to purchase an After Prom ticket.

The next chance to buy tickets will be April 15 and 16, and the price goes up for these late sales of tickets and does not include a t-shirt.

Why Choose After Prom?

• Everyone, in one place, for a memorable night of fun!
• A $15,000 party (re-invented this year by our students!) with a mechanical bull, inflatables, human Foosball, climbing wall, free food, prizes, team competitions, and much more.
• Safe environment with security and structure
• It's an environment to reduce regrets ... for parents, students, and our community as well.

Early Purchasers of After Prom Tickets will:

• get their ticket at a reduced price.
• receive a t-shirt when tickets are delivered in April.
• have an extra entry into the Grand Prize drawings for juniors and seniors.
• be a part of the best party of 2015!

The EPOCHS Scholarship information can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7znTAXjGdovRmpsbm5mVWhpZDQ/view?usp=sharing

The Marine Corps League of Athens, GA, announces the availability of a scholarship for the continuing education of a senior graduating from a high school in area counties. The award is $1,000. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and must be postmarked by April 15, 2015

The Education Foundation of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that $500 scholarships will be offered to one 2015 graduate from each of the five high schools in Oconee County.   Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and will be accepted by the Chamber between February 23 and April 2. Interested students should mail the application and all other required documentation directly to the Chamber of Commerce.

The Oconee Chamber of Commerce has an additional scholarship that we are offering, the Women in Business Diamond Award.  This will also be a $500 scholarship that will be offered to one female graduate who has exhibited the ability to succeed given less than ideal circumstances.  The criteria for this award is a little different: the student has to be a female, the essay question is different and there must be a nomination letter from the student’s counselor and/or administrator.   The final deadline is April 2, 2015. Pick up an application in the counseling office.

Applications for the 2015 Polly Hardigree Ward Memorial Scholarship can now be picked up in the Counseling Office. This scholarship is for senior students who are planning on majoring in an Agriculture/Natural Resources related field of study. The application must be postmarked to Oconee River RC&D by May 5, 2015.

On behalf of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA), we are proud to announce that applications are now available for the 2015 Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is an opportunity for students to learn more about the importance of community banking and what it represents in the community. Please share with students today!  The Hester Scholarship is open to Georgia high school seniors who will be entering a Georgia college, university or technical school (two year program or more) in the fall semester of 2015. Four winning recipients will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

 The scholarship is named after the late Jan Hester, daughter of Lalia and the late Julian Hester, long-time CEO of the CBA. Jan was a senior at the University of Georgia when she died in an auto accident on April 15, 1990. In addition to supporting community banking, this scholarship is an opportunity to pass on the positive qualities both Julian and Jan Hester exemplified to further the development of tomorrow'sgenerations.  Applications must be submitted to the Community Bankers Association of Georgia through a CBA member bank.Interested students can visit CBA's website, www.cbaofga.com, to obtain a listing of member community banks in their area. Students can search for a community bank near them by bank name, city or zip code. Click here to access bank listings. The student will then contact the bank and ask for sponsorship.Bankers are encouraged to provide the student with as much information on community banking as possible, so they can write their essay efficiently. Students can download the scholarship packet by visiting http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/cbaofga.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/Scholarship/2015_Julian_and_Jan_Hester_A.pdf?utm_source=Scholarship+email+to+Guidance+Counselors&utm_campaign=2015+Hester+Scholarship&utm_medium=email

Judging & Deadlines

Applications should be submitted to a CBA member bank no later than Friday, April 4, 2015. The applications will be reviewed, and the winners will be announced by the committee via the sponsoring bank's president and by letter to the winning applicant.  The announcement of the winners is scheduled for May 2015.

The University of Georgia is hosting a College Goal Georgia program this Saturday (February 21st) from 2-4.  This program will alow you to meet with college Financial Aid administrators who will assist you in filling out the FAFSA for next year.  More information can be found at http://collegegoalga.com/?page_id=4 and a list of what you should bring can be found at http://collegegoalga.com/?page_id=8

If you have any questions, please contact the program coordinator, Mandy Branch at mzweig@uga.edu.

Camp Journey is sponsored by Abbey Hospice Foundation and is a grief camp for children ages 7-17 who have lost a loved one. The camp date for this year is May 2nd and will be held at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. Camp Journey is led by trained volunteers and staff. Anyone interested in having a student attend should contact (770) 464-5858 and request an application.

The Novelis Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship is exclusively for high school senior girls who reside in Greene, Hancock, Morgan, Oconee or Putnam County. The female students must be planning on pursuing a degree in a STEM related area. Four, $2,500 Novelis STEM scholarships will be awarded in May 2015.  Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and must be submitted by April 15, 2015.

Athens Regional Medical Center's Volunteer Services Department is now accepting inquiries regarding their Teen Volunteer Program for the summer of 2015. Teens who are ages 15-17 by  June 1 hold a GPA of a B average or higher, maintain high standards of behavior and are sincerely interested in helping others will be considered.  Interested students may call Lynda Jones, Volunteer Services Manager, at (706) 475-3405 to request an application. 

LAST CHANCE: Free SAT and ACT Crams online:  Kaplan Test Prep is providing free cram sessions for the SAT and ACT. Students who attend will learn their 10 Top Score-Raising Strategies and review tips for time management during the test.  For complete dates and times and to register, go to www.kaptest.com/freecram.

Cram Sessions™ are  intensive, 90-minute online classes taught by expert Kaplan instructors.  Students will learn the most important material to boost their SAT and ACT scores - great for students who need just a little more prep or for those who want a refresher before test day.   Students will walk into Test Day feeling prepared and confident.

These sessions will help students:

• Raise their score with our Top 10 Strategies

• Manage their time like a pro on Test Day

• Get a day-to-day study plan up until Test Day

Free SAT and ACT Cram Sessions for the April 18th ACT and March 14th SAT test dates will be hosted from February 21st-March 8th.

Re

After Prom Information

After Prom 2015 will be Saturday, April 18, but we need your help now to continue this community project. This year it is North Oconee’s turn to host the event, but they can’t do this alone. Help from OCHS parents on the planning committee is essential and the need is urgent. Parents have been meeting since the fall, but now is the time to bring together the volunteers.

Nancy Hollett and Diana Beckett from NOHS are co-chairing After Prom. They have created a Student Advisory Board that has met throughout the fall, and the ideas from the students are re-energizing and re-inventing After Prom. They need more adult members on the planning committee. Parents of all OCHS students, not just juniors and seniors, are needed. 

Parents of freshmen and sophomores, you are especially needed! When OCHS hosts this event in 2016, you will be the ones to plan and promote After Prom. What better way to learn about After Prom than to be on the planning committee this year?

Their next meeting is Monday, January 26 at 7 pm at NOHS, and it’s critical to have more people on board.Another six people from OCHS on the committee would be greatly appreciated. You could even ask a friend and share a role on the committee.

Please see the list below for the currently open positions, and volunteer to be a part of a planning “the best party of the year.” Contact the co-chairs at afterpromoconee@gmail.com if you have any questions.

CURRENT NEEDS:

2015 After Prom Committee

Diana Beckett and Nancy Hollett, co-chairs (Contact us at afterpromoconee@gmail.com)

April 18, 2015 at North Oconee High School

After Prom 2015 Committee currently needs the following volunteers:

• Activities (from rental vendor) Coordinator: works with Student Advisory Board and vendor to identify activities that will appeal to the students and coordinates the activity planning for the event.

• Activities (not from a rental vendor) and Entertainment Coordinator: works with Student Advisory Board to plan any activities that are not acquired from the rental vendor and any entertainment planned, and coordinates these activities for the event

• Community Liaison Committee Members: works with business community to increase support for After Prom and coordinates the fundraising campaigns

• Decorating Coordinator: coordinates decorating plan for the event

• Food Coordinator: develops food and beverage plan and solicits donations from local restaurants and grocery stores (NOTE: Marvelyn Smith from NOHS will help with this but needs someone else on board)

• Publicity and Community Awareness Coordinator: promotes the event through newspapers, magazines, other media, community organizations, etc.

• Security Coordinator: plans safety and security measures for the event and is liaison to the First Responders and Sheriff Deputies at the event as well as parking.

• Senior Privileges Coordinator: works with SAB members to plan and implement “senior privileges” for the event

• Ticketing Coordinator: coordinates ticket sales, record keeping and ticket payments collected at NOHS and OCHS, as well as organizes student check-in process at the event

• Treasurer: manages bank accounts, sets up systems for book-keeping and payments, and prepares regular detailed reports for each committee meeting

UPCOMING 2015 MEETING DATES:

Monday, January 26, 7 pm at NOHS (enter Main Entrance, and look for the “Professional Learning Center” off the lobby and to the right)

Monday, February 2, 7 pm

Monday, February 23, 7 pm at NOHS

Monday, March 2, 7 pm

Monday, March 16, 7 pm at NOHS

Monday, March 30, 7 pm

Monday, April 13, 7 pm at NOHS

Saturday, April 18 : AFTER PROM

The Janice 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 and dedicated supporter of community service within the Greater Metropolitan Area of Washington, D.C. Mrs. Scott was one of the 125 individuals who perished in the Pentagon attack on September 11, 2001.  Three to five scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded and applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office. The applications must be received or postmarked on or before the deadline date of March 31, 2015. Please note that the evaluation process of the scholarship packets is based primarily on a "need" basis. The other categories are academics, community service, and writing skills.

Two scholarships sponsored by the OCHS PTO will be awarded to graduating seniors this year. The amount is $500. The scholarships are given to recognize senior students who have made a difference in the lives of others and their own through involvement in school and community activities and/or through a work setting. Academic achievement, test scores, financial need and gender are not considered.  Please do not include class rank or GPA on the application or other supporting documents. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office and must be turned in by April 24, 2015.

Students selected as Furman Scholars are eligible for at least $7,500 per year, $30,000 over  four years, in scholarships upon acceptance into Furman University.  Furman scholars nominees must be current juniors who meet the following requirements:

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

- A high school weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher.

-Significant involvement in extracurricular activities and community service.

- Demonstrated leadership potential.

- At least a 1250 on SAT or PSAT (critical reading and math only) or a 28 on the ACT.

Please visit the counseling office if you are interested in being nominated and meet the criteria. Students must be nominated by April 1, 2015.

The primary purpose of the Oconee Lions Youth Citizenship Award is to recognize the achievements of two OCHS graduating seniors who provide 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 award.  This 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 and aspirations. Special weight will be given to community service accomplishments.  The amount of the award is $1,000. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling office and are due back by 3:00 PM on April 24, 2015. Please turn the applications in to Mr. Guthas.

The Hill Chapel Baptist Church will be offering five $500.00 scholarships to qualified students based on their academic achievement, civic involvement and religious involvement. Applications for the scholarship can be picked up in the counseling office and are due to the church office by February, 6, 2015.

UGA to host “Colleges in Your Backyard” on Jan. 18

High school representatives, students and their parents can learn about the college admissions process and how to apply for scholarships and financial aid at the sixth annual “Colleges in Your Backyard” event hosted by the University of Georgia Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Jan. 18 from 3-5 p.m. in the fifth floor Grand Hall of the UGA Tate Center.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a panel discussion with representatives from the UGA Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Office of Student Financial Aid as well as representatives from Athens Technical College, Piedmont College and the University of North Georgia.

A mini college fair in will immediately follow the panel discussion in the Tate Grand Hall and will include an opportunity for students and parents to receive additional information on each of the represented colleges and ask questions.

Free parking will be available in the Tate Center Parking Deck, located 705 South Lumpkin Street adjacent to the Tate Center.

Directions:  http://www.uga.edu/a-z/location/tate-center-parking-deck/

For more information about the program, contact Rosa Arroyo Driggers, associate director of admissions at rarroyo@uga.edu.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR IGNITING THE DREAM OF MEDICINE/PREHEALTH CONFERENCE!

Please see registration information for our 4^th Annual Igniting the Dream of Medicine Conference,February 28, 2015.  We are excited to host the conference in our new medical education building at Georgia Regents University (GRU), Medical College of Georgia (MCG)!   This is truly an amazing building with “state of the art”  features, which provides opportunity for us to enhance our conference in several ways. We have made additions to the conference that are sure to help students in their premedical and other prehealth profession preparation.  We encourage interested students, club members, advisors and others to take advantage of this opportunity to learn first-hand about preparing for a career in medicine and other health professions.  In addition, conference participants have opportunity to become familiar with educational opportunities offered at our health sciences institution.

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONFERENCE ATTENDEES:

To register for the conference, please submit the registration fee here. After submitting your payment, please click here to download the Registration Form. All Registration Forms should be emailed tocrobinson3@gru.edu. If you are paying the registration fee for multiple attendees, please email a list of names for all individuals that your payment will cover to crobinson3@gru.edu. Even if a group payment is submitted, it is important for each individual to complete a Registration Form. For additional information in regards to the conference, please click here. Registration ends on Friday, February 14, 2015

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The Washington Youth Tour is geared towards making students better leaders and instilling confidence. For the past fifty years, Walton EMC has invested in our area's young people by sending them, all expenses paid, to get an up close and personal look at their government in action. You must be a current sophomore or junior to apply to the program and live in Walton EMC's service area.  Entry forms/brochures can be picked up in the Counseling Office and must be returned to Walton EMC by Friday, February 6, at 5:00 PM.

The Georgia Pilot Foundation will award up to three, $1,500 scholarships for outstanding community volunteer service to a graduating senior within the Georgia District. Students must be sponsored by a Georgia District Pilot Club.

The applicant must:

1. Be a graduating senior from an accredited high school and have a minimum 3.0 or B academic average.

2. Plan to attend an accredited college.

3. Live in or attend an accredited high school in the county of a Georgia District Pilot Club sponsoring the applicant.

4. Submit a completed application by February 2, 2015.

Applications may be picked up in the Counseling Office. The application must be completed in full and postmarked byFebruary 2.

Thanks to the University of Georgia’s VetCAMP program, high school students have the opportunity to explore the field of veterinary medicine before they start college classes.

Run by the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, VetCAMP 2015 will be held June 14-20. Registration is open through Jan. 30.

The seven-day Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program gives current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience veterinary medicine as a potential career path through the clinical and research services offered by the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center and the college’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories.

Attendees will learn about requirements for admission to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, pre-veterinary study options at UGA, research opportunities, study abroad opportunities, the college’s veterinary curriculum and underserved specialties in the field of veterinary medicine.

Registration is $900. The fee includes lodging on the UGA campus, meals, instruction and social activities. Financial assistance is available to students with demonstrated need.

Students who wish to be considered for the program must complete a registration packet that includes a registration form, a teacher/counselor recommendation form and an essay. They also must submit an official high school transcript.

To download a registration packet, see www.vet.uga.edu/GO/camp. For more information about the program, contact Lakecia Pettway at lpettway@uga.edu or 706-542-8411.