Almond College & Career Center News

Here we go, Seniors!! Your last days of HIGH SCHOOL!!

We are so incredibly proud of the young individuals you have become and for the lasting mark you will leave as a Blue Devil both in the classroom and on the field, court, stage, and in our clubs.

This will be my final newsletter for this school year, so Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and best of luck to you on the next phase of your life!

My motto is once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil, so if you need help with an alternative plan this summer, next year or in 5 years, we are here for you!

JUNIORS:

Click HERE to review the email sent on April 30th with the following information:

• FREE College Knowledge (Application) Workshop for Rising Seniors, June 3-4 or 5-6
• NOTE: Session 1 & 2 are filled. Session 3 has limited spots and Session 4 has 14 spots.
• How to access your SAT scores from April 11th in your College Board account
  
• Tips for Preparing for Senior Year
• College Summer Programs
• Summer Employment

Summer Appointments

• Click HERE to schedule a 30 minute appointment with Ms. Hartley or Mrs. McGahan to prepare for your senior year! You will be glad you take the time to meet with us!

SENIORS:

Congratulations to the Seniors who were honored at our Scholarships and Awards Night on May 2nd. It is one of the counseling department's favorite events to see the fruition of all your hard work and involvement in various activities. Your smiles and excitement were priceless!

A huge THANK YOU to Erich Packer, Emma Beard and Morgan Zeni for creating over 250 Instagram posts to celebrate their classmates' senior intentions. They spent several hours fielding DMs, creating posts in a very short period of time and communicating with Mrs. McGahan in order to get the shout outs posted! Please thank them if you see them! Click to access the @bluedevilseniors Instagram page or HERE to view the Google Slideshow if you do not have an Instagram account.

Graduation Checklist, Senior Exit Survey & Final Transcript Request

As seniors make their final decisions, here are a few action items to complete:

1. Please review the Graduation Checklist. Check out this slide deck.
2. Complete your Senior Survey. Please note this can only be completed ONCE!
   
3. Update your application statuses in Maia Learning: Final Transcript Instructions.
4. Please complete complete the survey and request your final transcript no later than May 16th. If your family is still deciding after this date, the Senior Survey does provide an additional question to request a second final transcript be sent to a different college.
5. Any changes after survey submission can be email requested to our Registrar, Mrs. Salmi (jsalmi@wths.net).
6. If you have not already, please file your FAFSA or submit a Waiver ASAP. This is required to graduate from WTHS per the State of Illinois. Review this EMAIL for additional information. This must be completed by May 16th as well in order to receive your diploma. ***NOTE: WTHS will begin to receive a weekly update of the student names who have filed a FAFSA successfully (we are hoping by mid-April). There is no additional verification or confirmation needed from families unless we communicate via email to you.
7. Check the Graduation website often.

Please note: We do not release final transcripts until early June when final Semester 2 grades are posted and official. This will not include any SAT scores, so if you applied with a test score for admissions and it is an action item for you, the college needs to have an official ACT or SAT score report on file from either ACT or College Board sent electronically to your college. As always, if students need assistance in making their final plans for after high school, please contact your counselor or Mrs. McGahan.

Still not sure what to do after high school?

Then click HERE for additional tips on how to create a plan. Please contact your counselor or Mrs. McGahan if you need help planning for your next steps. Don't forget to explore our Virtual Career Fair to assist as well!

For BOTH Juniors and Seniors:

Looking for a Job?

See the Career Opportunities section below for local opportunities for high school students or check our Job Board often!

We are here to help answer your questions, so students, please check your email often, follow us on Instagram or Facebook (@wthsccc), watch for text reminders or reach out to your counselor, Ms. Hartley or myself if you have any questions. We are glad to help! Here is the contact information for Student Services.

Have a great weekend and even better summer break!

Mrs. McGahan, Post-Secondary Counselor

If you would like to make an appointment to meet with your Almond Campus Counselor please email them or stop down to Student Services in the main office to submit a request form. If you would like to meet with Mrs. McGahan, please scan the QR code to the right or click HERE. Book an appointment during your free period.

Big thanks to Emma Beard, Erich Packer, & Morgan Zeni who helped create many Instagram posts to celebrate their classmates' post-secondary plans over these last few weeks!

Check it out @bluedevilseniors or click HERE for the list of declarations!

There are billions of dollars of scholarship money for students intending to continue their education after high school! All students are encouraged to apply and some scholarships are even open to students as young as middle school! Continue to apply for national scholarships each year you are in college!

• www.goingmerry.com
• https://www.appily.com/
• www.chegg.com/scholarships

If you need to request a transcript for a scholarship, please complete this FORM. You may pick-up transcripts from Mrs. Maggiore in Student Services in the main office.

SoFi is hosting a Preparing for College Webinar Series for the parents of college-bound students. This empowering series covers the information and insights needed to help navigate college financing. Below are the topics, dates and times of these webinars:

•Financing Your Student's Education, Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 7pm

Register here

If you're planning to attend college and neither of your parents completed Bachelor's degree in college, then YOU are considered First-Generation or First-Gen! Did you know many of our Warren teachers are first-gen? Nationwide, about half of all college students are first-gen.

All first-gen Almond students are invited to attend our last I'm First Club meeting on 5/6 at 2:20 p.m. in the Almond CCC. Email Mrs. McGahan (cmcgahan@wths.net) if you are first-gen and would like more college/career info, including our upcoming meetings!

The College of Lake County would like to invite you to join us in celebrating:

Youth Apprenticeship Week

Monday, May 6, 2024

5 - 7 p.m.

College of Lake County (CLC) Advanced Technology Center (ATC)

7735 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend this FREE event.

WTHS is fortunate to have Ms. Quinnlyn Meadowcroft, our CLC College Career Navigator, housed in the Almond College and Career Center to assist all students. Whether you are exploring your options, thinking of taking one class or enroll full-time at CLC after high school, Ms. Meadowcroft will be your point-person every step of the way.

**Friday, May 17th is here last day at the Almond Campus this semester. After that date, you are welcome to meet with her at CLC's Grayslake Campus or virtually. Schedule an appointment with her HERE.

• Click HERE to learn about CLC Enrollment Steps
  
• Click HERE to learn about CLC Proficiencies, Prerequisites and Placement Testing
• Click HERE for the English Placement tutorial
• Click HERE for the Math Placement tutorial

Feel free to contact Ms. Meadowcroft should you have any questions about CLC or how to enroll (qmeadowcroft1@clcillinois.edu).

Compass Educational Group is hosting a FREE webinar for Sophomore and Junior families. The focus is to reduce anxiety and provide clarity regarding the myriad decisions in today's testing process. Click here for the info & registration page for their webinar on May 21st, 6:30pm.

Click HERE for their comprehensive guide to walk the road of all things testing.

Need assistance in creating your College Board account? Click HERE for assistance.

Click HERE for additional resources to understanding your score and next steps.

As seniors receive their college acceptances, many students look for means to help narrow their list. Here are a few suggestions to help! Especially if your family is not able to visit the campus this winter. As always, contact your counselor or a post-secondary counselor for assistance!

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are public or not-for-profit degree granting institutions with 25% or more Latino undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment. Emerging HSIs have between 15 and 24.9 percent undergraduate full-time equivalent Hispanic enrollment. While emerging HSIs do not have the critical mass of Latino student enrollment required to meet the definition of an HSI, these institutions may soon meet the criteria as their enrollment grows and Latino representation increases. The Developing HSIs Program is a White House initiative on advancing educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for Hispanics. Click here for more information.

Additional Resources (including lists of HSIs and EHSIs):

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

Excelencia in Education

Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions Educators

National Community College Hispanic Council

American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education

Boys State is a week long government simulation (June 8th-14th) where participants are citizens in a mock 51st state. Throughout the week , attendees learn how the American political system works by participating in their own primaries, elections and assemblies. In addition to participating in the mock government, attendees learn valuable leadership skills and participate in a wide variety of developmental opportunities. The applicants are open to males who have completed their Junior year by 2024. Click below for the information or visit their website.

Informational Flyer

FAQ

For further information:

Contact: Jim Huisel

Gurnee America Legion Post 771

jhuisel@post771.org

847-910-3330 (M)

The American Legion Auxiliary’s marquee Girls State program, first presented in 1937, is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States.

The program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. The young women become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.

Applicants must currently be in their junior year in high school or the home school equivalent.

To apply and for additional information, visit their website.

Attention Gurnee High School Students

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer?

Now’s your chance to find out! Join us for a week long Youth Police Academy!

Date: June 24 - 28, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: Gurnee Police Department

Who: Freshman entering high school, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, or recently graduated Seniors.

This exclusive program offers hands-on experiences and insights into the world of policing. Participants will engage in crime scene investigation, how to do a traffic stop, use of force training, K9 unit demonstration, drone instruction, and more!

But hurry, spots are limited! Register now to secure your spot. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn alongside officers from the Gurnee Police Department!

Sign up today! https://www.cognitoforms.com/.../_2024GurneeYouthPoliceAc...

• Check out the Learn while Earn jobs to earn anywhere from $15-27/hour starting pay with just a HS diploma!

Are you interested in a career in Construction and the Building Trades? Youth Build Lake County’s FREE Pre-apprenticeship program can prepare you to successfully transition to a Department of Labor registered apprenticeship in the trades! This 12-week program is for young people aged 18 or older who already have their high school diploma or equivalent, and are interested in starting a career in the construction industry. Students gain field experience on real construction sites to ensure that they are ready for employment in the field upon graduation.

Students would are 18 and currently high school seniors would begin the program in August. Applications are now open so that you can begin the orientation process. If a student is interested in applying or wants to learn more information, click below!

https://yblc.org/pre-apprenticeship-program/ - Info on the Program

https://yblc.org/youthbuild-program/apply-now/ - Apply for the Program

Thinking about working in a trade in the future? Click here to access more information on apprenticeship programs. These are "earn as you learn" programs that students are usually eligible to apply for upon turning 18. Apprenticeships have a proven track record of producing strong results for both employers and workers. These programs offer access to hundreds of occupations, in high-growth and emerging industries, such as construction, IT, energy, healthcare, transportation, advanced manufacturing and more! Apprentices who complete an apprenticeship program retain employment, with an average annual salary of $70,000!

The Anti-Cruelty Society, in partnership with The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, offers a unique program for high school students with a serious interest in veterinary medicine or animal science related careers. This academic opportunity introduces students to the many areas of science that they will encounter in veterinary school using a college lecture format. The virtual program explores topics such as veterinary school admissions, challenges and thrills of being a veterinarian, and how clinical science is used to diagnose and treat injury and disease in a variety of animals.

Application deadline is June 7th.

Registration and additional details can be found on their website at: https://anticruelty.org/veterinary-mentoring-program

Click HERE for additional volunteer and virtual opportunities in working with animals.

The WEL program is once again offering the opportunity to participate in a hands-on paid internship with the Lake County Emergency Management Agency. Limited spots available, apply ASAP!

Apply: Submit an application.

• Launch your career with industry professionals
• Work full-time for six months in a paid internship ($22/hr.)
• Eligible for industry-recognized credentials

Link to flyer: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/71761/WEL_LCEMA-Flyer-2023-PDF

This program is open to any 14 to 21-year-old interested in learning more about law enforcement careers. Students will help the community as well as learn about careers in law enforcement and learn foundational policing skills. For additional information see their website.

Click HERE to access and explore 170+ careers with videos and information. By participating, you will gain a better understanding of the variety of industries and positions. Some employers may also have possible internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing and/or employment opportunities for our students! For those of you who may not know what you want to do, there’s a career assessment included that will help you narrow down a career cluster to further research. At the end, please complete the exit survey to reflect and provide feedback so we can continue to assist you with your post-high school plans.

WTHS has in-person Study Tables on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20-3:00 p.m. in the Almond Campus Library for English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Students who need bus transportation home are able to take the shuttle from Almond to O'Plaine and take the O'Plaine busses home.

For a list of our WTHS academic tutors, please click HERE.

Maia Learning is a college and career readiness platform that engages students in planning their futures. It allow students to develop profiles, explore careers that fit those profiles, and build academic, college, and career plans. It helps them manage college applications, and build portfolios that will gain them admission. It helps counselors manage student progress, and keeps families involved in the process.

Click here for a brief tutorial on accessing Maia Learning or click here for a shared folder which houses several helpful video tutorials and resources on the college search and application process.

The Paying for College Resource delivers free, easy to understand information and resources, so your family is confident you have everything you need to figure out how to pay for school.

To date, www.fairtest.org as published over 1,800 colleges and universities which are allowing Fall 2024 applicants to apply test-optional. Many institutions are stating students are at no disadvantage of applying test-optional. But it is good diligence on your part to verify the institution will still distribute merit, academic scholarships, be considered for direct-entry, competitive majors and Honors College consideration.

Almond Post-Secondary Counselor

Instagram @wthsccc

(847) 548-6709

Email: cmcgahan@wths.net
Website: https://www.d121.org/Page/313
Phone: (847) 548-6709
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wthsccc