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BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 26 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has launched his 15th annual State of the Union Essay Contest for Vermont students.

Each year, the President of the United States delivers an address to a joint session of Congress, which outlines priorities for the coming year. Sanders knows that great ideas can come from everyone – not just those in power – which is why he created the State of the Union Essay Contest to encourage young people to engage in the political process. The contest is an opportunity for Vermont high school students to describe a major issue facing our country and propose what they would do to solve it.

“The purpose of this contest is to get young people to start thinking about the many important issues that we deal with every day,” said Sanders. “All people have the right to express their views and help shape the direction in which our country goes – and that includes young people. I want to see our students be actively engaged, no matter where they stand on the issues.”

The 250-to-500-word essays can be on any issue of national importance. A volunteer panel of Vermont educators will judge the essays on the students’ ability to articulate an issue and propose a solution, without regard to the students’ political views. Following the contest, Sanders will invite the finalists to a roundtable discussion at the Vermont State House, and will enter their essays into the Congressional Record – the official archive of the U.S. Congress.

Over 6,100 students from high schools across Vermont have written essays in the past 14 years about critically important issues, including climate change, racial justice, access to mental health care, immigration reform, disability rights, political polarization, and much, much more. Last year, Leah Frisbie from Essex High School was selected as the winner from 454 submissions for her essay on banning books from school libraries.

The deadline for student essay submission is January 14, 2025. More information can be found on Sanders’ Senate website at https://www.sanders.senate.gov/stateoftheunion/ or by calling

(800) 339-9834.

If you are interested in applying to the Central Vermont Career Center for the 2025-2026 school year, the application window opens on November 21st. Students can apply here. Current CVCC students need to reapply each year.

Central Vermont Career Center is also hosting an Open House on November 21st from 5:30pm-7:30pm which includes a College and Post HS Planning Fair. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The deadline for applying in "round 1" is December 18th.

Application process:

1. Apply (current CVCC students need to reapply each year)

2. Attend the Shadow Day (date TBD 2025)

3. Attend the Program Preview Day (date TBD 2025)

4. Decisions for Round 1 will be released in late March 2025.

If students need assistance with the application, please make an appointment with your U-32 School Counselor. And be sure to watch your emails in the new year for additional information about Shadow & Program Preview days.

Federal Student Aid to Host a Free One-Day Webinar Series
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, join the December 2024 Webinar Series hosted by Federal Student Aid (FSA). This live webinar series will guide you through submitting the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is tailored for both independent and dependent students.

This event is for students, parents, and college/career professionals and will feature the following:

• A live demonstration of the 2025-26 FAFSA form
• An overview of the financial aid process, available programs, and funding sources
• Key facts and common myths about financial aid
• A guide on creating and accessing your StudentAid.gov account
• A demonstration on where to find certain information on StudentAid.gov

Register today! Questions about the event can be emailed to FSAOutreachwebinars@ed.gov.

STUDENT/PARENT Resources

IC PLP courses- all students have a course called PLP in the AS (After School) slot in their IC schedule. There is a lot of info so we hope you will check it out.

Naviance - Remember to frequent Naviance as this site helps U-32 students explore post high school planning options, build a resume, manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers. This is also where all of the scholarship opportunities are housed. Each student will work with his/her TA and school counselor in Naviance to create his/her Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs).

If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it yourself. If you have misplaced your registration code, please notify Student Services.

Parents of juniors: In December, the school counselors will meet with the juniors to discuss post high school planning options. Every junior will receive a U-32 Post High School Planning Guide. To view a copy and for additional information check out the 11th gr U-32 PLP IC course or view the pdf on the U-32 website.

IMPORTANT GRADING INFORMATION

Report Card Dates for 2024-2025

Semester 1

Quarter 2 HS/MS Report Cards - Available Thursday, January 30, 2025

Semester 2

Quarter 3 HS/MS Progress Report - Available Monday, April 7, 2025

Quarter 4 HS/MS Report Cards - Available TBA mailed pending snow days

SAT / ACT Test Preparation (FREE On-line)

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DUAL ENROLLMENT: Vermont high school juniors and seniors can take one FREE college class during their junior and senior year. Dual enrollment gives students the opportunity to experience college while still in high school, and they can earn credit toward a college degree (saving hundreds of dollars in tuition fees).

Learn more about dual enrollment at http://www.vtdualenrollment.org/

To create an account and apply for a dual enrollment voucher, go to:

https://dualenrollment.vermont.gov/vtde

Community College of Vermont (CCV) Spring Schedule

Community College of Vermont (CCV) Summer Schedule

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Not All Colleges and Universities Require SATs/ACTs

Not all admissions processes are created equal. One major point of difference among colleges these days is how admissions officers consider your SAT scores. More schools are de-emphasizing SAT scores as part of your application with “test optional” and “test flexible” policies. One college has even eliminated SAT scores completely!

There are now over 800 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions that have changed their approach to standardized test scores. (Keep in mind that the majority of colleges, especially the more prestigious schools, do still require and strongly consider your SAT scores.) Let’s take a look at the different policies and which schools no longer require applicants to submit their scores for admission. Go to www.fairtest.org for more info

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Looking for an alternative to college?

VSAC is a fantastic resource for college and non college bound students www.vsac.org

VT DOL Apprenticeship Site - This Web site features detailed information on Vermont Registered Apprenticeships, employer-sponsored training programs that offer both supervised work experience and related instruction.

https://labor.vermont.gov/workforce-development/job-training-education-and-apprenticeship/apprenticeship or https://www.apprenticeship.gov/

The U-32 Student Services Office strongly urges all students and parents to frequent the scholarship section on the Naviance Family Connection site. Scholarships are updated weekly.

1) RonranGlee Literary Scholarship - $2,000 - 5 Awards (Deadline: December 17, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a high school senior or a two or four-year undergraduate student.

B) Write a short essay expounding your understanding of the writer's underlying meaning.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/33045/ronranglee-literary-scholarship

2) Winter Wonderland Scholarship - $2,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: December 31, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be currently attending high school, college, vocational, or any other accredited post-secondary institution.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/19120/winter-wonderland-scholarship

3) GE Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program - $40,000 - 20 Awards (Deadline: January 3, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Demonstrate at school, at the workplace, and within the community the attributes of leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.

B) Demonstrate strong academic performance (minimum 3.0 GPA).

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/10159/ge_reagan_foundation_scholarship_program

4) John Lennon Scholarships - $20,000 - 3 Awards (Deadline: January 15, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be between the ages of 17 and 24 as of January 15, 2025.

B) Submit musical works that have not been assigned to any major music publisher or major record label.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/12397/john-lennon-scholarships

5) DEWALT Trades Scholarship - $5,000 – 40 Awards (Deadline: January 16, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Plan to enroll or are enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college or

vocational-technical school for the entire 2025-2026 academic year.

B) Be citizens of the United States or Canada.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/29517/dewalt-trades-scholarship

6) McDonald's HACER Scholarship Program - $100,000 - 30 Awards (Deadline: February 6, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a high school senior that is younger than 21 years old and carries a minimum 2.8 GPA.

B) Have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/15444/mcdonald_s_hacer_national_scholarship

7) Davidson Fellows Scholarships - $100,000 - 20 Awards (Deadline: February 12, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be 18 or younger as of the application deadline.

B) Be a U.S. citizen residing in the United States or a Permanent Resident of the United States.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/8804/davidson-fellows-scholarships

8) American Council of the Blind Scholarships - $7,500 - 22 Awards (Deadline: February 14, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be legally blind and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

B) Be a full-time student or a part-time student who works (at least 32 hours per week) in the Fall of 2025.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/29558/american-council-of-the-blind-scholarships

9) HBCU Week X NFL Scholarship - $10,000 - 7 Award (Deadline: February 17, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Complete or have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

B) Attend a Historically Black College or University for the entirety of their college education.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/26492/hbcu-week-x-nfl-scholarship

10) KFC Foundation Scholarships - $20,000 - 500 Awards (Deadline: February 17, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Have graduated from high school by May 2025.

B) Enroll in an accredited trade school, college or graduate school for the Fall 2025 semester.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/13403/kfc-foundation-scholarships

11) Connex Foundation Scholarship - $5,000 - 2 Awards (Deadline: March 10, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Have a history of active involvement in extra-curricular activities, community service, or work experience.

B) Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/16421/connex-foundation-scholarship

12) AMS Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship - $5,000 – 5 Awards (Deadline: March 14, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be entering their freshman year of college in the fall of 2025 as a full-time student and plan to pursue a degree in the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/12462/ams-freshman-undergraduate-scholarship

13) 9/11 Promise Scholarship - $15,000 - 5 Awards (Deadline: March 15, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a child of a fallen first responder or military service member, OR a child of a first responder or military service member certified as not being able to work.

B) Be enrolled at or accepted to pursue trade, undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited trade school, college or university.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/26495/911-promise-scholarship

14) Pilot International Scholarship - $1,500 – 22 Awards (Deadline: March 17, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Pursue career goals that further Pilot International’s mission of (a) working with youth and young adults in leadership and development, (2) helping people and encouraging brain safety and health, or (3) caring for families during times of need.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/26103/pilot-international-scholarship

15) Heavy Equipment Parts Express Scholarship - $500 - 1 Award (Deadline: April 1, 2025)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be in high school, college, or university.

B) Be at least 16 years of age on the day of the deadline.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/16242/he_parts_express_scholarship

VTel & VTel Wireless are excited to offer a scholarship opportunity for your high school seniors who live in VTel or VTel Wireless households here in Vermont.

https://www.vermontel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Final_FRS_Scholarships_2024.pdf

Below is a list of the available scholarships:

One application qualifies students for several scholarships. Submitting one application is sufficient for eligibility of all available FRS scholarships for Vermont residents:

• FRS General Scholarship: $2,500 awarded for the first year of a 2-year or 4-year college or vocational school.
• V+C Trust Scholarship: $9,000 awarded to two students from rural communities pursuing studies in environmental sustainability, social justice, telecommunications, or economic development.
• Everett Kneece Scholarship: $7,000 awarded in honor of the generous philanthropist Everett Kneece, who had a passion for rural America.
• Herbert and Isabel Bitz Memorial Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to one student who exhibits a strong dedication to rural America.
• JSI Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to students interested in science, math, medicine, or engineering.
• Sarah Tyree Good Neighbor Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to students who demonstrate what it means to be a “good neighbor” through humanitarianism, inclusion, and kindness to others.
• Cronin Communications Scholarship: $2,500 awarded thanks to the generosity of the Timothy Evan Owens Foundation.
• Diana Jo Dreyer Memorial Scholarship: $2,500 awarded by INDATEL Services LLC to a woman intending to study business.

Click here to APPLY

NASA and The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research Summer Intern Program is a nationally competitive STEM experience for high school students. Interns will learn how to interpret NASA satellite data while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen area of work, including astronomy, remote sensing, and space geodetic techniques to help understand Earth systems, natural hazards and climate science.

Summer internships are offered to motivated high school students who have an interest in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics careers. The interns will work beside NASA subject matter experts analyzing and visualizing data. This content knowledge, coupled with hands-on experiences, allows the intern to gain experience in authentic NASA research through field investigation and data analysis.

Interns are selected on the basis of their academic records, written application that includes answers to essay questions, introduction video, recommendation form, and interest in STEM. The deadline for submitting your application for the summer 2025 internship program is February 22, 2025.

• Apply Online at: https://spacegrant.net/apps/sees
• Sign up to receive notification for SEES application window and deadlines. Sign up at: https://bit.ly/3DeRMwL

December

• SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject Tests

• ACT information

• Put the finishing touches on your essay. Be sure to proofread!

• Try to wrap up applications before winter break. Photocopy all application materials before sending them in.

• Send standardized test scores to your colleges. It can be done electronically at collegeboard.com or by phone at 800-SAT-SCORE.

• Early Decision and Early Action letters start arriving this month. Check with individual schools to confirm dates. Good luck!

• Regular applicants: call admissions offices to set up interviews if needed.

• Complete CSS Profile if you haven’t already done so

• Check in with your Counselor.

• ACT information
• January 17: Start of Quarter 3.
• Students admitted by Early Decision must withdraw applications to other schools. Deferred students should consider sending in additional letters of recommendation and other supplementary materials.
• Talk to friends home from college on break.
• Where possible, set up interviews with admissions officers or alumni interviewers.
• Check in with your Counselor.

• ACT information
• SAT information
• February 4: 9th Grade Information Night for 8th Grade Parents & Students @ U-32 at 6:30pm in auditorium (in person) - More information below.
• February 11: 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night for Rising 7th grade families at 6:30pm in auditorium (in person)
• February 15: Recommended FAFSA deadline.
• Contact colleges to confirm they’ve received all your application materials.
• Keep your grades up.
• Continue the scholarship search. Check out fastweb.com and finaid.org for ideas.
• Use February/March break to visit colleges.
• Check in with your Counselor.

9th Grade Transition Night – for 8th Grade Parent/Guardians & Students

February 4th @ 6:30 PM – U-32 Auditorium

This is an evening for 8th graders and parents to learn about course selection for 9th grade, and the transition to high school. This program gives an overview of the transition to high school and provides opportunities for questions. The program is conducted by Rebecca Tatistcheff, Principal, Ellen Cooke, Counselor, & Lisa LaPlante, Director of Student Services

In the weeks following this program individual meetings will be scheduled with 8th grade TAs to select courses for 9th grade. Watch for more information on these meetings.

Seniors and their families, please see this important information about senior quotes, farewells, younger photos, and family dedication ads.

Purchase your yearbook before December 31, 2024, for $35.00

Purchase your yearbook after December 31, 2024, your yearbook will be $40.00

Here is the link to purchase your yearbook!

You can also purchase your yearbook from Sara Wolf in the technology office. Please bring cash or a check made payable to U-32. Yearbooks will be distributed in June.

If you have any questions please email yearbook@u32.org or call Sara Wolf at 802-229-0321 ext. 5107.

Interested in knowing more about the U-32 Booster Club?

Email Melissa at u32boosterclub@gmail.com