Counselor Connection

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. In order for their absence to be excused, they must turn in the signed participation form that they will receive in TNN.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Morristown Campus/Student ServicesBuilding/Lyceum

1:00 pm: Admissions Information Session

1:30 pm: Optional Campus Tours

On Tuesday, March 12th, seniors interested in visiting Walters State are invited to attend a group Admissions presentation at 1:00pm and a campus tour at 1:30 pm. The presentation will be held in the Student Services Building/Lyceum (lower level).

Following the presentation, students will be required to sign in to document their attendance. (Additionally, students will be required to turn in a signed participation form to their TNN teacher to document the college visit. These forms will be given out in TNN.)

Please note that no morning sessions will be offered on this date because of a previously scheduled event at WSCC.

Students may contact Melanie Redding at Melanie.Redding@ws.edu or 423-585-2690 to sign up or with questions. (Campus map)

Now is a great time for underclassmen to dive in and start the college search process! Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors and their parents/guardians are invited to attend our College Planning Night on Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 PM in the West High auditorium. College representatives will be available beginning at 5:00 PM in the auditorium lobby.

Our guest speaker, Erika Adams from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, will present information about state and federal financial aid programs, including the TN Promise Scholarship and HOPE Scholarship. Area college representatives will also be present to answer questions and provide information about financial aid, scholarships, admissions, college visits, etc. Kayla Huber from Walters State Distance Education will discuss their dual enrollment program, including the application process, eligibility, etc.

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

Students interested in experiencing pharmacy can attend East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy's second annual summer day camp, "Gatton Pharmacy Footprints," on June 3-7, 2019. Application deadline is May 3, 2019.

Rising high school juniors, seniors and college freshmen who are interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy are encouraged to apply. Other levels may be considered on an individual basis. The total cost for the 5-day program is $75, which includes supplies, lunch, transportation to and from practice sites, and a t-shirt. The application should be completed and e-mailed to pharmacy@etsu.edu

For more information, please email pharmacy@etsu.edu or call 423.439.6338.

The Summer Bridge Program is a FREE three-week program designed to help students start on a more college-ready level, both academically and socially. During the program, students will receive reading, writing and math instruction with a one hour lunch and learn session where lunch is provided to you! This program is optional and is not required for the TN Promise scholarship.

If you scored below a 19 on any section of the ACT, the Summer Bridge Program is for you! On the last day of the program, you will have a chance to test out of learning support courses.

The program will run Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. For more information as well as the dates of each program, please click here. If you are interested in signing up for the program, complete the application today!

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.

The Furman Scholars program seeks to honor high school juniors who exhibit strong academic potential, demonstrate leadership potential, and show significant involvement in extracurricular activities and community service. High school guidance counselors nominate current juniors to participate in the program. Students selected as Furman Scholars are eligible to receive at least $20,000 in scholarships if admitted to Furman University.

For any questions regarding Furman Scholars, please email matt.reeve@furman.edu​ or call 864.294.2034.

Criteria

To receive award certificates by spring awards days, counselors must nominate by April 1, 2019. We will continue accepting additional nominations until June 1, 2019, which is the final deadline for nominations.

Nominees must be juniors who meet all of the following criteria:

1. A genuine interest in an education in the liberal arts and sciences
2. A high school weighted grade-point average of 3.5 or higher
3. Significant involvement in extracurricular activities and community service
4. Demonstrated leadership potential
5. At least a 1360 on the SAT, a 1360 on the PSAT, or a 29 on the ACT or Aspire (excluding writing

Students who are interested in being nominated need to see their school counselor by March 18.

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!

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

March 12: Community Service-Seniors

ACT-All Juniors

AnalyzeEd-All Sophomores

Practice ACT-All Freshmen

March 11 & 13: Rising Freshman Registration - Lincoln Heights Middle School students

March 18 & 20: Rising Freshman Registration - West View Middle School students

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

March 21: College Planning Night for Sophomores and Juniors

March 25-29: Spring Break

April 9: WSCC Financial Aid Verification, West High Library

April 15: Deadline to submit Work Ethic Diploma Requirements

April 15: Deadline to submit Tennessee Scholars Applications

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.)

It is that time again! Time to register for AP exams! We have added the ability to pay online through your My Payments Plus account. (www.mypaymentsplus.com) This is the same online account you can use for your student’s lunch money. The costs for the 2019 AP exams are $94.00 per exam or $23.00 per exam if you qualify for free or reduced lunch prices. You can also pay for the exams with a check. Please make it payable to West High. You can write one check for all exams. You do not have to write individual checks. The deadline for payment is March 20, 2019. Every student will need to turn in a registration form with payment. Again, one form per student. If you pay online, please mark online payment at the bottom of the registration form. You may pay or turn in your registration form to any of your AP teachers. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Justis.

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.

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!

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 40 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

Below is a list of FIRM scholarship deadlines for some of the colleges and universities that our students frequently choose to attend . Please note that in most cases, students must apply and be accepted before they are able to access the scholarship application(s). It is important to apply to your school(s) of interest well before the deadlines listed below! Also, many schools have additional scholarship associated with honors programs, the arts, etc. Be sure to check with schools in which you are interested for these opportunities.

Carson-Newman University - Apply Early

East Tennessee State University - December 15 for Academic Performance; March 1 for General

King University - Apply Early

Middle Tennessee State University - December 1 for Guaranteed Scholarships; February 15 for most Foundation and Departmental Scholarships

Tennessee Tech University - December 15

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

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

Carson Newman College

March 26 (Eagle Experience)

April 9 (Eagle Experience)

East Tennessee State University

March 2

March 30

King University

March 16

Middle Tennessee State University

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)

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.

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.

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

*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.

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

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

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

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.

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