BHS Counseling Newsletter

Now through September 13th: Fall ACT Prep Course Registration

Now through September 13th: PSAT Registration

Now through September 30th: ASVAB Registration

September 24th: Senior Presentation from School Counselors during Advisory/Bobcat Time.

September 24th: Senior Financial Aid Night from 6-7pm in BHS Commons, parents welcome.

September 26th: Junior Post High Planning Days at SDSU, leaving BHS at 1:30 - returning at 2:30

September 26th: Concordia College @ BHS Commons 2:15pm

October 31st: ASVAB, in the BHS Library from 8:15 to 11:29. For 10th through 12th-grade students, by choice, if registered.

Welcome BHS Students! We are excited to welcome a new face to the counseling office this year, Mrs. Bucholz. She will be a great asset to the Bobcat Counseling team! Please see us for your academic, personal, and career needs and goals! Your School Counselors, Mr. Mork, Ms. Neville, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Bucholz are excited to see you and learn more about how we can support you throughout your time at BHS! Mrs. Brockel, our Administrative Assistant, is also a friendly face here to help you throughout the year! You will see her smiling face when you enter the counseling office. We are looking forward to having an amazing school year with all of you!

Freshman Groups: Freshman Small Groups will be happening this month. All 9th-grade students are invited to one small group session. This is an opportunity for them to get to know their School Counselor and other freshman students. Freshman, you will receive an email or be called into the Counseling Office to get a pass to leave your study hall or another class. We look forward to meeting with you!

United States Senate Youth Program: Juniors & Seniors - Consider applying for the U.S. Senate Youth Program! Two students from each state will be selected for a week-long government and leadership education program in the nation’s capital, and a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship. Recipients need a strong background & current knowledge about our government. Applicants must hold an elected office at BHS or be a student representative on a civic or educational board. Applications are available here. More information is available here. The deadline for submission is October 4th.

The College JumpStart Scholarship Program: This is an annual, merit-based competition, (financial need is not considered) that is open to 10th-12th graders, college students, and non-traditional students. The main requirement is that you are committed to going to school and can express your goals for getting a higher education. The first-place prize is a $1,000 scholarship to help cover educational expenses. This award can be used at any college or university in the United States. The deadline for the competition is October 17th.

VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship: students from grades 9–12th-grade are eligible. The 2024-25 theme is "Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?. The recorded essay must be three to five minutes with a plus or minus of 5 seconds. The website will give detailed information as well as winning essays and artworks for students to view. All student entries must be submitted to the local VFW Post by midnight, October 31st.

The Big Idea Competition: As a young entrepreneur, what business would you start in your world to make it a better place to live? Think about problems you hear about in today's news or problems that you personally experience. What business can you create to solve those problems? How can you use technology to solve those problems? Put your best business idea forward and compete for cash prizes and scholarships in the BIG Idea Competition-over $5000 to be awarded! October 24, 2024 is the final date for each business idea and marketing design to be submitted.

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing: The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors 9th-12th grade women, genderqueer, or non-binary students for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education. Applications must be submitted by the final deadline of October 29th.

South Dakota Legislative Page Program: Each legislative session, high school students from across South Dakota have an opportunity for a firsthand look at the legislative process by serving as pages for the South Dakota Legislature. Pages are appointed to serve in the House of Representatives or the Senate for4 to 9 days during one of the five-term periods. If you are interested in this opportunity, students are encouraged to apply early as it is a competitive program. Early application is encouraged, the preferred deadline is October 4th, and the final deadline is October 18th.

BHS 2024 ACT Prep Course: Would you like some help getting ready for that ACT? BHS offers in-person prep courses! These courses will review four content areas including English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading. This time consists of 12 hours of instruction including Content Area Review, Test-Taking Strategies, Test Familiarity, and the use of ACT's book, The Real ACT Prep Guide. An ACT Practice Test follows the courses. The first-time cost is $100 and the cost for repeating is $25.00.

Payment is due to the BHS Counseling and Student Services Office no later than 3:25 p.m. on Friday, September 13th, 2024, in order to be enrolled. Please make checks out to Brookings High School.

BHS ACT Prep Course Dates:

Sessions will be held on the following dates:

09/18/2024: ACT Prep Session 1 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.

09/25/2024: ACT Prep Session 2 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.

10/02/2024: ACT Prep Session 3 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.

10/09/2024: ACT Prep Session 4 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.

10/16/2024: ACT Prep Practice Test - 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Sign Up Here For The Fall ACT Prep Courses

ASVAB: The Armed Services Vocational Services Aptitude Battery test will be given at BHS on Thursday, October 31st, during blocks 2 & 4. This multiple-choice test is administered by the United States Military a military rep and is used for a couple of different purposes: 1. Enlistment to the United States Armed Forces. 2. Great career information! All sophomores through seniors are encouraged to take the ASVAB! Interpretation will follow.

Sign Up Here For The ASVAB

PSAT/NMSQT: B​HS will offer the new digital PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) on Thursday, October 10th. This is an optional test for 10th and 11th graders, designed to help prepare students for the SAT, which is a college entrance exam similar to the ACT. Students who pre-registered for the PSAT will receive an e-mail with information about the testing day. Testing will occur for approximately 2 1/2 hours in the BHS Auxiliary Gym.

The cost for the test is $18.00 and can be turned into the Counseling Office. Please make checks out to Brookings High School. If you are interested in taking the PSAT, you must sign up prior to Friday, September 13th here.

The PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide is available online: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/psat-nmsqt-student-guide.pdf

Scrubs Camp: HEALTH CAREER EXPLORATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Scrubs Camps is designed to increase awareness, interest, and understanding of health careers available in South Dakota through creative and interactive activities. Scrubs Camps will provide an opportunity for students to experience first-hand, the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of health careers. All while learning about the skills and education that are required to become a health professional. Scrubs Camp is a one-day, hands-on experience where you rub elbows with pros who actually DO healthcare for a living. If you’re in 9th through 12th grade and think you’re interested in a health career, Scrubs Camp is a must-do. There’s NO CHARGE to attend and we’ll even throw in lunch. Follow the link to see the dates available at each SD institution.

Teens as Teachers is an awesome opportunity for students thinking about a career in education as it provides training opportunities (free of charge) and scholarship money upon the completion of their lessons. The training focuses on the role and importance of a teacher. Students are provided with free resources to teach a lesson to an elementary group of their choosing and document the process. There are several training dates, but November 6th will be the Brookings training date located at SDSU. Register Here!

Exploring College Options: This special informational program is sponsored by the undergraduate admissions offices of five of the country's leading universities: Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University. Join the 90-minute webinar to help you explore your college options and prepare a strong and reflective application in this time of change and new challenges. During the program, admission officers from our five universities will introduce their institutions, discuss the college application process, answer general questions, and provide individual school breakout sessions.

Please register for the webinar date and time that best fits your schedule (all times are EDT):

Sunday, September 22, 2024 | 5:00 PM
Monday, September 23, 2024 | 7:00 PM

Back To School Self Care - It's really important to take care of yourself! It's especially important when you're starting a busy school year and probably doing a balancing act with academics, activities, clubs, organizations, sports, work, home life, friends and you name it! Not sure where to start? It could be as simple as checking in with yourself daily, ask yourself, "how am I?", consider these helpful tips:

1. Keep a journal.

2. Practice a calming hobby! Walking, biking or yoga are great!

3. Stay connected! Talk with the people who care about you.

4. Try deep breathing activities.

5. Get enough rest and develop a regular sleep pattern.

6. Take lunch breaks and eat healthily and enough.

7. Drink enough water.

The Brookings Backpack Project (BBP) works with school staff to provide a free supply of meals and snacks to students who may need an additional food resource over weekends during the school year. The food is given to the children before they leave school each Friday (or, in case of holiday, the last day before the break).

Register now for to hear former Major League Baseball player and mental health advocate Drew Robinson share his inspiring story.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Drew was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers out of high school and went on to play parts of 12 seasons with the Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants organizations. In 2020, Drew miraculously survived a suicide attempt that resulted in the loss of his right eye. After his attempt, he made a comeback to professional baseball and retired after the 2021 season to pursue a role in the mental health & wellness department with the San Francisco Giants.

Senior September To-Do List:

🐾 Narrow your list of colleges to between 5 and 10 schools.

🐾 Make grades and attendance a priority.

🐾 Plan to visit as many colleges as possible.

🐾 Register for ACT or SAT if you haven't taken the exam or would like to improve your score.

🐾 Create a master list, calendar, and folder that includes tests you’ll take, fees, deadlines, application due dates, required financial aid application forms, transcripts, and other important materials you’ll need.

🐾 Ask a recommender for a letter of recommendation, in advance, if you need them.

🐾 Give each recommender an outline of your academic and your extracurricular activities.

🐾 Meet with your school counselor.

ACT and SAT: If you haven’t taken a college entrance exam yet, and plan to attend a post-secondary school, do so soon!!

Financial Aid Night: The FAFSA is changing and being simplified! We will hold our financial aid event on September 24th from 6-7pm at the BHS Commons. Parents are encouraged to attend with their students!

Selective Service Registration: You need to register with the Selective Service! If you’re 18, you have to register within 30 days of your 18th birthday.

The Common Application: The Common Application is an online college application used by over 900 colleges. Just one application can be sent to any of these colleges. There is no need to repeat your applicant details for every college on your list. Enter your information one time and share it across all of your schools.

Western Undergraduate Exchange Program: WUE is the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a program that can save you a lot of $$ in tuition! Through WUE, students in Western states (including S.D.) may enroll in participating two-year and four-year public college programs at a reduced tuition level: up to 150 percent of the institution’s regular resident tuition. In all cases, WUE tuition is considerably less than nonresident tuition. The following states participate Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Hawaii, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

Regeneron Science Talent Search: The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS) is the oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors, providing an important forum for original research that is recognized and reviewed by a national jury of professional scientists. The Regeneron Science Talent Search recognizes 300 students as scholars and awards their schools each year and invites 40 student finalists to Washington, D.C. to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, and meet with notable scientists and government leaders. Each year, Regeneron STS scholars and finalists compete for $3.1 million in awards. November 7th deadline.

Below are current scholarships that have been brought to the attention of our office. The date next to the scholarship is the deadline for the application.

Please note: If you are requesting that your School Counselor serves as a recommender on any scholarship application for you, it is a requirement that you provide a resume or documentation of your credentials summarizing your accomplishments, honors, skills, awards, employment, etc. to him or her.

Sept. 15th - PEO Star Scholarship

Sept. 26th - Questbridge

Sept. 30th - Niche College Scholarship

Sept. 30th - Coca-Cola Scholarship
Sept. 30th - Sallie Mae Scholarship
Sept. 30th - CollegeXpress Scholarship
Oct. 1st - Be Bold Scholarship

Oct. 8th - AES Engineers Scholarship

Oct. 13th - Young Arts Scholarship

Oct. 17th - College JumpStart Scholarship

Oct. 24th - Big Ideas SD Scholarship

Oct. 31st - Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Nov. 1st - National Space Club Scholarship

Nov. 12th - Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Nov. 15th - Students with Disabilities Scholarship

Nov. 15th - 10 Words or Less Scholarship
Nov. 30th - Common App Scholarship

Requesting Your Transcript (Parchment):

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST YOUR TRANSCRIPT!

Emergency: Call 911

Suicide Hotline: 988

South Dakota Helpline: 211

You are not alone. Every day people turn to 211 for information and support – whether financial, family, health, or disaster-related. The call or text is free and confidential.

Counseling Office Assistant:

Mrs. Victoria Brockel victoria.brockel@k12.sd.us, Phone Number: 605-696-4124

BHS School Counselors:

Ms. Amanda Neville: amanda.neville-coble@k12.sd.us

Mrs. Linda Johnson: linda.johnson@k12.sd.us

Mr. Gary Mork: gary.mork@k12.sd.us

Mrs. Angela Bucholz: angela.bucholz@k12.sd.us

Other Ways To Get Information From Us!

BHS Counseling Facebook Link

BHS Counseling Website

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