Counselor Connection

The University of Tennessee is hosting the 6th annual E-VOL10 for rising tenth grade students who demonstrate interests in engineering. E-VOL10 provides an introduction to chemistry and awareness of engineering careers. The program will be hosted July 14-19, 2019. Thirty-two students are selected to participate. Students live within a residence hall on the UT campus and engage in chemistry, ACT preparation, compete in engineering challenges, and tour an engineering industrial plant. Throughout the program, students team with each other to apply what was learned and work on an engineering design project. Apply on-line. The deadline is March 1, 2019.

The Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is implementing a summer engineering program for students during the summer of 2019 entitled “High School Introduction to Engineering Systems for 12th Graders (HITES12).” HITES12 is a one-week residential program for rising twelfth grade students. All students are encouraged to apply.

The program's mission is to provide early exposure to scientific study and research for students who show an interest in engineering. Thirty-two students will be selected to participate in the program to be held July 7-12, 2019. Hands-on activities will spark an interest in the world of engineering and allow students to explore career opportunities. Throughout the program, participants will be challenged to apply what they have learned in engineering competitions. Participants will receive room and board at no cost. All applicants must have a minimum ACT math score of 25 (SAT math score of 590). Counselors will assist with program activities and supervision of participants.

Application Deadline: April 12, 2019

The QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Summer Program for high school juniors gives high-achieving, low-income students an early advantage in college admissions to top colleges. Qualifications include: high school juniors who have strong academic records, come from households earning less than $65,000 per year, may be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, may be part of the first generation in their family to attend college. All Scholars receive specialized guidance on applying to college, essay coaching and identification by college partners to be admitted to highly selective colleges. You could also receive full scholarships to college summer programs to a select number of schools, all-expense-paid campus visits, an invitation to a QuestBridge National College Admissions Conference and telementoring from Amherst College students. The free online application is due March 20, 2019. Please click here for more information and to access the online application.

March 12 is a big day for us! All freshmen will take a practice ACT exam, all sophomores will take an exam through AnalyzeEd, and all juniors will take the ACT. There is no charge for these exams. Seniors have the opportunity to use this day for a college visit or to perform community service hours toward the TN Promise requirement of 8 hours.

A counselor is available until 6:00 on the following evenings for your convenience. Please call 423-581-1600 ext. 1010 to make an appointment.

February 14

February 28

Panther Creek State Park is in need of help around the Visitor Center this weekend. Students who are interested in earning some community service hours may call 423-587-7046 for details.

To remain eligible for the TN Promise Scholarship, seniors are required to complete and electronically submit 8 hours of community service between November 2, 2018, and July 1, 2019. Please check the bulletin board outside of the counseling office for community service opportunities.

WHAT COUNTS AS COMMUNITY SERVICE? Community service is time contributed to a nonprofit or public service organization. The community should be benefiting from the work you do! Students can also volunteer in their field of interest to gain experience. This means that job shadowing may count toward your community service requirement. Make sure you are volunteering with an actual organization (not an individual), you are not being paid, you are being supervised by someone who is not a family member and your activity does not include proselytizing (sharing faith). Click here for more information and for community service and job shadowing opportunities on the TN Promise website.

Also, many opportunities are posted on the bulletin board right outside of the counseling office (see picture below)!!

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS? All community service hours must be submitted through the community service online form found here. After submitting your community service hours, you will receive a confirmation email. Print this e-mail as proof that you completed your hours - you will need this to earn points for your Work Ethic Diploma!

One important milestone that many of our seniors have the ability to reach is successful completion of the Work Ethic Diploma (WED). Last year, about ( ) percent of the Class of 2018 was awarded the WED, and we plan to surpass that percentage this year! Students who reach this milestone are recognized at graduation by wearing with royal blue cords with their graduation regalia. They will also receive an invitation to the Senior Honors Banquet.

The Work Ethic Diploma was first offered in the 2015-16 school year as part of a LEAP (Labor Education Alignment Program) grant. The standards that students are required to meet to earn the Work Ethic Diploma reflect the skills and characteristics that are needed for students to be college and career ready. More than 30 Lakeway region businesses and industries guarantee an interview to students who have earned the Work Ethic Diploma and who meet other job-related qualifications..

Students received their Work Ethic Diploma folders during TNN in October. With the help of some new videos (you can find them here), students will be tackling one standard at a time. Click on the links below for more information. Work Ethic Diploma and necessary documentation is due to TNN teachers on April 13. Please contact the counseling office if you have any questions about the Work Ethic Diploma.

Work Ethic Diploma Standards

Work Ethic Diploma Industry Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

This month, West High is excited to be rolling out Major Clarity, an easy-to-use on-line career exploration program, during TNN. If you would like to learn more about Major Clarity, please visit their website. Soon you will be able to have your child log in to his/her account at home to show you their career assessment results, possible career options based on those results, and other suggestions tailored to meet your child's needs. (Please do not create accounts - every high student already has an account through Hamblen County Schools.)

The Tennessee STRONG (Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen) Act is establishing a pilot program to provide eligible members of the Tennessee National Guard tuition funding toward a first time bachelor degree, for the next four years, through a tuition reimbursement program, at eligible public and private Tennessee Educational Institutions. The STRONG Act provides educational opportunities for those who protect and serve our state and country, and supports the Drive to 55 goal of equipping 55 percent of Tennesseans with a degree or certificate by 2025. To learn more about this exciting opportunity and to see if you qualify, visit the Tennessee National Guard Education Services Office (Facebook Page).

Project Graduation provides a safe, drug and alcohol free place for our students to celebrate the milestone of high school graduation! It includes a night of music, games, food, fun, and memories to last a lifetime. Graduates can win cash and prizes contributed by area businesses and the community.

To carry out these ambitious plans, lots of help is needed. Parent volunteers may contact Carol Manning at 423-312-3808 or Projectgraduationhamblen@gmail.com. There are many ways for parents to help (set up, clean up, food, decorations, publicity, etc)- you are not required to spend the night.

We have a new calendar of events (see below) posted right outside of the Counseling Office. Stop by frequently to see what's new!

Nov. 2, 2018 - July 1, 2019 - complete and report 8 hours of community service (must report on-line) (Please note that students may only use community service hours performed between these dates.)

February 21: TCAT Signing Day

February 27: STEM Day at WSCC

Februray 28: TACRAO Mini College Fair (8:30-10:30 a.m.)

March 12: Community Service-Seniors

ACT-All Juniors

AnalyzeEd-All Sophomores

Practice ACT-All Freshmen

March 18: 2nd TN Promise meeting - Mandatory- at 5:30PM at West High cafeteria

March 21: College Planning Night for Sophomores and Juniors

April 15: Deadline to submit Work Ethic Diploma Requirements

April 15: Deadline to submit Tennessee Scholars Applications

Students who need credit recovery should see their counselor for an application. After-school credit recovery began on October 16. Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-6:00 p.m. Payment may be made on MyPayments+ on the West High website or in the Business Office at the Hamblen County Board of Education.

Every month we will feature a different college and a different career path on our bulletin board outside of the Counseling Office. Stop by and check out what's new!

Below is a list of FIRM scholarship deadlines for some local colleges. Please note that in some cases, students must apply and be accepted before they are able to access the scholarship application(s). It is important to apply well before the stated deadlines!

Carson-Newman University - Apply Early

East Tennessee State University - December 15

King University - Apply Early

Middle Tennessee State University - December 1

Tennessee Tech University - December 1

Tusculum College - Apply Early

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - December 1

University of Tennessee at Knoxville - November 1 (competitive); December 15 (general)

Walters State Community College - February 1

Each senior is allowed one college day during their senior year. Students are required to submit a parent note to Mr. Kinsler BEFORE going on the college visit. Upon visiting the college, students are required to submit a letter of attendance from the college to the front office to excuse the absence.

Please keep in mind that the best days to visit colleges are Open House or Preview days (typically held on Saturdays) because students and parents have the opportunity to see more campus facilities and have access to more faculty to inquire about specific program requirements, financial aid, admissions, scholarships, housing, etc. A list of these events for some local schools may be found below.

Click on the school's name to schedule a visit or register for a special open house event.

Carson Newman College

February 23 (Showcase Saturday)

March 26 (Eagle Experience)

April 9 (Eagle Experience)

East Tennessee State University

March 2

March 30

King University

February 23

March 16

Middle Tennessee State University

February 9 (Preview Day)

March 23 (Preview Day)

Tennessee Tech University

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

University of Tennessee at Knoxville

April 27 (Big Orange Preview - Spring Open House)

Students are assigned by the first letter of their last name.

• Jill Reuschel: Students A-E
  
• Erica Gillett: Students F-L
• Renae Byrd: Students M-R
• Melanie Justis: Students S-Z
• Aimee Howerton: Counseling Office Secretary
• Emily Ray: Niswonger Care Counselor eray@niswongerfoundation.org
• Office Contact Information:
• Fax- 423-581-3229
  

Website: http://mhhsw.hcboe.net/?PageName=%27Guidance%27
Location: Morristown-Hamblen High School West, Trojan TRL, Morristown, TN, USA
Phone: 423)581-1600
Facebook: facebook.com/mowestcounsel
Twitter: @mowestcounsel

Don't miss out on important events and deadlines! Please sign up to receive updates from the West High Counseling Department! To receive messages via text, please do the following for the appropriate year of graduation:

text @mowest2019 to the number 81010

text @mowest2020 to the number 81010

text @mowest2021 to the number 81010

text @mowest2022 to the number 81010

Register on-line at www.act.org.

West High ACT Code 431-587 (Where your scores are sent)

West High Test Center Code 193810 (Where you take the test)

Upcoming Exam Dates

*February 9, 2019 - registration deadline is January 11 (January 18 for late registration)

*April 13, 2019 - registration deadline is March 8 (March 25 for late registration)

June 8, 2019 - registration deadline is May 3 (May 20 for late registration)

July 13, 2019 - registration deadline is June 14 (June 24 for late registration)

Please visit www.act.org for information about late registration and photo upload deadlines.

*The test will be administered at Morristown West High School

Students will not be admitted to the test center without an admission ticket.

To register and to check for late registration information, visit collegeboard.org/sat/register.

March 9, 2019 - registration deadline February 8 (February 27 for late registration)

May 4, 2019 - registration deadline April 5 (April 24 for late registration)

June 1, 2019 - registration deadline May 3 (May 22 for late registration)

May 6 - U.S. Government and Politics, morning 8 a.m.

May 6 - Environmental Science, afternoon 12 noon

May 8 - English Literature and Composition, morning 8 a.m.

May 9 - Chemistry, morning 8 a.m.

May 9 - Psychology afternoon 12 noon

May 10 - U.S. History, morning 8 a.m.

May 10 - Studio Art portfolios due

May 13 - Biology, morning 8 a.m.

May 14 - Calculus BC, morning 8 a.m.

May 14 - Human Geography, afternoon 12 noon

May 15 - English Language and Composition, morning 8 a.m.

May 15 - Macroeconomics, afternoon 12 noon

May 16 - World History, morning 8 a.m.

May 16 - Statistics, afternoon 12 noon

May 17 - Microeconomics, morning 8 a.m.

The following websites have practice test questions, full-length practice tests, and/or testing taking tips for many different standardized tests, including ACT,SAT, PSAT, ASVAB, and Advanced Placement.

• 
  
• Tennessee Electronic Library/Peterson's Testing & Education Reference Center (must create free account)
  
• 4Tests
• March2Success(must create free account, then choose "College Prep" to access test prep materials)
• Khan Academy

Students who need their transcripts sent to colleges may see Mrs. Howerton in the Counseling Office to complete a transcript request form. Please allow at least two weeks to process transcript requests.

The following websites are good ones for exploring colleges, majors, careers, and financial aid as you begin the college search process:

Big Future

College for TN

College Navigator

College Scoreboard

Occupational Outlook Handbook

eCampus Tours

FairTest

CareerOneStop (also has sample resumes)

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Students are assigned by the first letter of their last name.

• Jill Reuschel: Students A-E
  
• Erica Gillett: Students F-L
• Renae Byrd: Students M-R
• Melanie Justis: Students S-Z
• Aimee Howerton: Counseling Office Secretary
• Emily Ray: Niswonger Care Counselor eray@niswongerfoundation.org
• Office Contact Information:
• Fax- 423-581-3229

Website: http://mhhsw.hcboe.net/?PageName=%27Guidance%27
Location: Morristown-Hamblen High School West, Trojan TRL, Morristown, TN, USA
Phone: 423-581-1600
Facebook: facebook.com/mowestcounsel
Twitter: @mowestcounsel