Thanks to our Student Liaison, Carolyn Hinrichs, CHS received a $20,000 EducationQuest Grant. So, how will this impact your student?(The following from Carolyn Hinrichs)
I firmly believe that a high school education ALONE is insufficient ... in order to achieve any kind of financial stability, further education and/or training after high school is a must. In an effort to assist us with emphasizing the importance of higher education, Chadron High School was one of 19 schools to receive EducationQuest grant monies for this grant cycle. Chadron will receive $5,000 per year for the next four years to be spent on improving access to higher education for our students. Keep in mind that EducationQuest is a Nebraska non-profit foundation so monies can only be used for in-state opportunities and our target audience are free-and-reduced students. However, activities are open to everyone, funds permitting.
Here's the proposed use for the grant:
- Visit at least one Nebraska college or university by December of the students' senior year. I am working on a project to allow ALL sophomores to attend a session at Chadron State College which would include a speaker, a tour of the dorms, and brunch in the cafeteria. Studies show that college visits are the single most important activity we can provide.
- Attend an official EducationQuest College Fair by December of the senior year. All juniors and seniors were invited to attend our college fair on October 8th.
- Take the ACT, SAT or equivalent by December of the senior year. Some students may take the Compass test rather than the ACT.
- Attend a Financial Aid Presentation during the senior year. Our Financial Aid Night will be Jan 15th at 6:30pm. I would love to see the parents of ALL our seniors attend this very important meeting.
- FAFSA Completion! As in the past, EducationQuest personnel will be on hand in February to help families complete their FAFSA. You need to call 1-800-666-3721 for an appointment.
- Scholarship Search. Students are encouraged to use the CHS website, as well as "scholarship quest" on the EducationQuest website.
- One college application. I will try to assist all Free/Reduced students in completing at least one college application.
- Learn about AP and/or Dual Credit at our high school. We have students who will be earning as much as 16 college credits this year! This is an AMAZING way to finance your college education, because these credits are much cheaper than 'straight' CSC credits ($50 per credit hour or FREE through the ACE program for Free/Reduced students.)
- Encourage family involvement. I plan to invite parents to join us on our field trips and may offer pizza prior to the Financial Aid meeting. Stay tuned!
- Develop community partnerships. As a new idea, I am starting a "speaker series" to encourage student learning. In September, we were able to host a pizza lunch for students who were interested in military opportunities. Upcoming speakers include: Lori Hunn (11/14 regarding the field of education) and Rob Wahlstrom (12/4 regarding employment in the private sector). Any student is welcome to join us and lunch will be provided through grant funds.
Field Trips (Students, see Mrs. Hinrichs or Mrs. Larsen if you are interested):
- 11/19 or 11/20 (date tentative) to visit the Sidney campus of WNCC for students interested in Cosmetology or Airframe Maintenance.
- 12/5 to visit the Alliance and Scottsbluff campuses of WNCC for students interested in Nursing, Powerline Maintenance, Autobody/Tech or Welding, just to name a few.
