February 2024 Newsletter

• February 3: Rising 10th & 11th CAP Info Night

• February 14: Valentine’s Day

• February 14-20: Random Acts of Kindness Week

• February 17: President’s Day-No School

• February 25: ACT @ HBHS

• University of Central Arkansas
  • Thursday, February 27th
  • Cafeteria
  • 10:00am

• ACDC House

• Dr. Randi Huebner

• randi.huebner@sdale.org

• ACME House

• Mr. David Clouse

• dclouse@sdale.org

• HABIT House

• Mrs. Rachel Colananni

• rachel.colananni@sdale.org

• MEDS House

• Mrs. Seanne Farrar

• seanne.farrar@sdale.org

• PHEDS House

• Mrs. Kimberly Powers

• kimberly.powers@sdale.org

Special Contacts:

• College Reps: Mrs. Powers

• Community Service: Dr. Huebner

• Foreign Exchange: Mr. Clouse

• Learning Center: Mrs. Powers

• Military Liaison: Mr. Clouse

HBHSWebsite: https://har-ber.sdale.org/

February is a month filled with opportunities to celebrate important people, history, and achievements. It is recognized as both African American History Month and Career and Technical Education Month, highlighting the contributions of Black leaders throughout history and the importance of hands-on learning and career preparation. In addition, February includes National School Counseling Week, a time to appreciate the counselors who support students in their academic and personal growth.

This month also encourages kindness and self-reflection. Random Acts of Kindness Week reminds us to spread positivity by doing small, thoughtful gestures for others. As you move through February, take a moment to recognize your own progress and the hard work you've put in. Whether it’s through learning about history, showing appreciation for your teachers and counselors, or simply being kind to those around you, every effort matters. Keep pushing forward—you're doing great!

Connect with future employers and explore three potential interviews at the Be Pro Be Proud event!

• Join us on March 13th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
• Watch this instructional video for registration details. After signing up, submit your signed permission slips to Dr. Smith in the second-floor administration office.

Colleges host Admitted Student Days each spring for students who have received an offer of admission. These events provide an opportunity to explore campus, connect with faculty and current students, and learn more about academic programs and campus life. Attending can be a valuable step in deciding whether a school is the right fit.

If possible, participate in both in-person and virtual events to gather important information and get your questions answered. Attendance at these events qualifies as an excused absence if you provide verification of attendance.

Learn more about Course Selection/CAP Processes

Rising 10th: Tues, Feb 4th • 6:30-7:30pm

Rising 11th & 12th: Mon, Feb 3rd • 6:30-7:30pm

HBHS students and advisors have been actively working to finalize course selections for the upcoming school year. Counselors have been visiting 10th and 11th-grade advisory classes to address questions and provide support to students who may need additional assistance. Additionally, counselors are conducting individual meetings with juniors (rising seniors) to review course selections and ensure they remain on track for graduation. These meetings will continue throughout February. Students who have not yet met with their counselor will have the opportunity to do so soon.

As part of state-mandated testing, all 11th grade students will take the ACT at school on February 27th. The ACT is a valuable college entrance exam that assesses students' readiness for postsecondary education and can be used for college admissions, scholarships, and career planning. To prepare, students will complete the ACT Pre-Work during Advisory the week of February 10th, which includes setting up their MyACT account and entering their academic information

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To help students perform their best, here are five high-impact ACT test-taking strategies:

• Familiarize Yourself with the Test Format
• Review the types of questions and timing for each section.
• Practice Time Management
• Pace yourself and avoid spending too much time on any single question.
• Use the Process of Elimination

• Narrow down answer choices to improve your chances of selecting the correct one.
• Answer Every Question

• There is no penalty for guessing, so make sure to respond to every question.
• Stay Calm and Focused
• Get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and approach the test with confidence.

We appreciate your support in ensuring students are prepared for this important assessment!

The College Access Initiative team at the University of Arkansas is happy to share that the 2025 ACT Academy and Jump Start applications are now open!

With ACT Academy, we will provide more information about college admissions, academics, and campus life. Students will work on developing their ACT test-taking skills as well as learn about the many exciting opportunities at the University of Arkansas while staying in a residence hall and experiencing campus life.

Who:

• Current 9th-11th graders (rising 10th-12th graders)

When:

• Session 1: June 10-14, 2025
• Session 2: June 22-25, 2025

Follow this link for more information and to apply to ACT Academy until April 1, 2025.

Students are encouraged to explore the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program, a prestigious college admissions support initiative. Participating in this program as a junior significantly increases the likelihood of being selected as a QuestBridge National College Match Scholar during senior year.

QuestBridge Scholars have the opportunity to receive a full cost of attendance scholarship to one of QuestBridge’s partner colleges and universities. We encourage eligible students to apply and take advantage of this incredible opportunity.

Make yourself eligible for $500 and $40,000 scholarships from BigFuture each month. Earn entries in monthly drawings for scholarships by completing steps to plan for college. The sooner you start and the more steps you complete, the more chances you’ll have to win. This month’s entries will continue to be included in upcoming monthly drawings. Read the Official Rules here. Don’t miss out on scholarships for next year!

Scholarship season is underway and we have been busy entering our newly received scholarships. This will continue throughout April so students need to check the site frequently. Students can access this list of scholarships by logging into Naviance and choosing the Colleges tab, then, under the Scholarships & Money Headline, selecting the Scholarship Search link. This will take them directly to our HBHS scholarship list. If students want to look at school specific scholarships, they can select that link under the Scholarships & Money Headline. If students wish to do a national scholarship search (private scholarships that are available to students nationwide) they can select that link.

Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship

• $14,000 over four years and you qualify with a 19 on your ACT.

The Arkansas Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship -

• $40,000 over four years and you qualify with a 32 superscore on your ACT (Due March 1st)

Arkansas Future Grant

• The state of Arkansas pays ALL TUITION AND FEES for a 2-year or trade school program that qualifies as high need or high demand.

Sunday, February 2

• Kessler Trail Luv - Mt. Kessler Regional Park - 8:00 am - Noon Info & Sign-Up

Wednesday, February 5

• We Are Nourished Food Pantry, 1021 W Sycamore St - 3:00 - 8:00 pm - Info & Sign -Up

• NWA Circles - Community Meal, 695 E Calvin - 3:30 - 8:30 pm - Info & Sign-Up

Saturday, February 8

• NWA Food Bank - Souper Saturday- 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Info & Sign-Up

• Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Bentonville - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Info & Sign-Up

Wednesday, February 12

• NWA Circles - Community Meal, 695 E Calvin - 3:30 - 8:30 pm - Info & Sign-Up

• We Are Nourished Food Pantry, 1021 W Sycamore St - 3:00 - 8:00 pm - Info & Sign -Up

Saturday, February 15

• Feed the 479 - 3157 W. Sunset, Springdale - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Info & Sign -up

Wednesday, February 19

• We Are Nourished Food Pantry, 1021 W Sycamore St - 3:00 - 8:00 pm - Info & Sign -Up

• NWA Circles - Community Meal, 695 E Calvin - 3:30 - 8:30 pm - Info & Sign-Up

Friday, February 28

• Hygiene Blessing Bags at Squire Jehagen Outreach Center - Willow St, Fayetteville - 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Info & Sign-Up

You must request a transcript through Naviance for all college applications including the University of Arkansas. Below is a quick one-page tutorial.

Students applying to a Common Application school should make sure their Naviance account and their Common Application account are linked. Do not use Common App to apply to University of Arkansas.

• Parent Tips: Helping your child with the college application process
• FAFSA Website - students and parents can go ahead and get ready to file the FAFSA by signing up for an email address and password which are needed prior to filing the FAFSA.
• NEXT Magazine is another good source of information about college in our state and careers in general.
• The Top Scholarship Search Engines
• This blog post on College Vine contains a list of all schools that meet 100% of demonstrated student need. Some may surprise you!
• Free ACT Prep Resource that can be ordered directly from ACT
• Are you a first-generation student? If you are the first in your immediate family to attend college, the whole college process can be overwhelming. The College Tour offers a free online class that will help you get more information on the process. Check out this LINK for more information and to begin.

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Success doesn’t happen overnight. The world’s most successful individuals—whether in business, academics, sports, or the arts—share key qualities that help them achieve their goals. The good news? You can start building these traits right now in high school!

1. Discipline and Time Management

Successful people know how to prioritize tasks, stay focused, and manage their time effectively. As a student, you can develop this skill by creating a structured schedule for homework, extracurricular activities, and personal time. Use planners or digital tools like Google Calendar to stay organized and avoid last-minute stress.

2. Resilience and Perseverance

Setbacks are a natural part of life, but successful individuals learn from failure and keep pushing forward. If you struggle with a subject or don’t make the team, view it as a learning experience. Seek help from teachers, practice regularly, and maintain a positive mindset.

3. Strong Communication Skills

Being able to express ideas clearly and listen actively is crucial for success in any career. Join clubs like debate, student government, or journalism to improve your public speaking and writing skills.

4. Curiosity and Lifelong Learning

Successful people are always eager to learn and grow. Instead of just studying for grades, engage with your subjects, ask questions, and explore beyond the textbook. Reading widely, watching educational videos, and seeking mentors can help expand your knowledge.

5. Leadership and Teamwork

Whether leading a group project or participating in a club, strong leaders motivate others, make decisions, and work well in teams. Take on leadership roles, collaborate with classmates, and practice problem-solving in group settings to build these essential skills.

6. Self-Motivation and Goal Setting

Highly successful individuals set clear goals and take initiative. Start by setting small, achievable goals, like improving a grade or learning a new skill. Break larger goals into manageable steps and celebrate progress along the way.

7. Adaptability and Open-Mindedness

The world is constantly changing, and successful people embrace new challenges and adapt to different situations. Step outside your comfort zone by trying new activities, meeting different people, and being open to feedback.

Start Now!

Developing these qualities in high school will set you up for long-term success in college, careers, and beyond. Start small, stay consistent, and watch yourself grow into a future leader.

Which of these qualities will you focus on first?