LHS Underclassmen Opportunities

Most scholarship applications are reserved for seniors in high school, though there are a few that are intended for underclassmen students (9th through 11th grade). Here are some of the opportunities for Lakeland High School students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade and how to apply:

This program, administered by the National Center for Women & IT, recognizes and awards female high school students for demonstrated interest and achievements in computing. The criteria for applicants are:

• Must be a female student in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
• Cannot be an employee or family member of someone in NCWIT
• Award recipients will be chosen based on demonstrated interest and achievements in computing, proven leadership ability, academic performance, and plans for post-secondary education

If you feel like you meet this criteria and would like to be considered for this award, please complete the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Application by November 5th.

This is a youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service open to student in 5th through 12th grade. Lakeland High School can certify only one student to be considered for this award each year. The criteria for a nominated student is:

• Currently in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
• Engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred within the past 12 months

If you feel like you meet this criteria and would like to be considered for this award, please complete the Prudential Spirit of the Community Award Application by November 6th.

Each year, Lakeland sends one sophomore student to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership seminar (HOBY) and one sophomore student to the Michigan Youth Leadership seminar (MYLead). Both experiences are completely free to the student. Both of these seminars offer a unique opportunity to build leadership skills, hear from influential guest speakers, and interact with other interesting sophomore students from throughout the state. This is also a great distinction to add to your resume and list of experiences for college applications later in high school. The criteria for applicants are:

• Must be in 10th grade
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must possess a desire to participate in a new experience and be willing to share what you learn from the experience with others in the Lakeland community

HOBY is June 14th-16th at Albion College.

MYLead is May 17th-19th or June 7th-9th at Michigan State University.

If you are interested in applying for either of these experiences, please see Mr. Dougherty in the Counseling Office by November 16th.

$1000 Scholarship

This scholarship program is open to students in 4th through 11th grade. Lakeland High School can nominate only one student to be considered for this award each year. The criteria for a nominated student is:

• Currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade
• 3.75 GPA for the current school year (GPA calculation is made with unweighted, T1 report card grades and only considers academic subjects)
• Involvement with community service activities

If you feel like you meet this criteria and would like to be considered for this award, please see Mr. Dougherty in the Counseling Office by November 30th.

$20,000 Grand Prize

This essay contest, open to students in 9th through 12th grade, challenges students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described in John F. Kennedy in Profiles of Courage. A grand prize of $20,000 and prizes for the top 25 entries are awarded. The criteria for the essay contest is:

• Currently in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
• Essays can be no longer than 1000 words and no less than 700 words
• Essays must describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917
• More specific requirements as outlined on the contest website

If you would like to submit an entry, please do so in accordance with the JFK Profile in Courage requirements by January 18th.

Each year, Lakeland selects at least one junior male and at least one junior female representative to attend Boys State and Girls State. Both experiences are completely free to the student. High school students from across the state are selected to participate in this unique government simulation experience during a week in the summer at a Michigan university. The criteria for applicants are:

• Must be in 11th grade
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must possess a desire to participate in a new experience and be willing to share what you learn from the experience with others in the Lakeland community

Girls State is June 16th-22nd at Michigan State University.

Boys State is June 16th-22nd at Grand Valley State University.

If you are interested in applying for either of these experiences, please see Mr. Dougherty in the Counseling Office by February 8th.

$8000 Scholarship

This is a scholarship award for one junior Lakeland High School student. It is a $2000 scholarship, renewable for up to 4 years, that can be applied to any of LTU's undergraduate degree programs. Lakeland High School can nominate only one 11th grade student to receive this award. The criteria for a nominated student is:

• Currently in 11th grade
• Must have completed one year of Chemistry or Physics and two college preparatory math classes, with distinction
• Must be an active and responsible citizen in the school and community
• Must be planning on attending LTU

If you feel like you meet this criteria and would like to be considered for this award, please see Mr. Dougherty in the Counseling Office by March 29th.