Scholarship Update #6 11-12 - Denison Community School District

From the Denison High School Guidance OfficeSenior Scholarship Update #6-2011-12Final Edition*********************************************************************Senior Checklist: 1.College applications mailed.2. Housing applications/deposits mailed.3. Orientation dates scheduled.4. Testing completed (ACT, COMPASS, CPT)5. FAFSA filed. (It’s getting late, but you can still file it. Justget it done!!!)6. Senior photo turned in for Mr. McGrane’s southhallway bulletin board. (Also a child photo if you did not start your education in theDenison, Zion, St. Rose or Schleswig Elementary Schools.)7. Passing all required classes (at least 17 of you are not currently.)8. Watch for Award Letters from the college. Respond promptly.9. Let your counselor know about any scholarships you have received. (Parentsget upset if their senior’s name is not in the Awards Day program, but you have to let yourcounselor know about anything you receive that is based on merit (grades, activities, etc.....notthe Pell Grant or any financial need-based grant.)10. Donate blood on April 18...a truly great service to others.11. Pay graduation fee.12. Have a safe, smart and sober Prom weekend...April 27-28.13. Commencement speeches due April 27 by 3:30 PM.14. Attend Awards Day and Commencement practice May 16, 2012 8:30AM--until approximately 10:30 AM (Attendance at practice is required.)15. Pick up a Western Iowa Tech transcript request form if you have taken anyWITCC classes.16. Sign up in the main office for the college where you want your counselorsto send your final transcript.17. Notify Mr. McGrane if someone in your family needs special seatingaccommodations for Commencement (wheelchair room, floor seating, etc.)18. Hang up your commencement gown after you get it (around May 9).19. Make your last few weeks at DHS as classy and dignified as possible.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••$$$$$$The Class of 2012 Commencement Speech Competition. See the detailsat the end of this Update.......$500 cash to the winner!!!!! (Be certain that youlook at the guidelines before you start writing a speech, especially #1) $$$$$$••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Denison High School Music Boosters Scholarships---See Mr. Bekkerus or Mr. Newell forapplications.Denison High School Student Senate Scholarships--See Mrs. Mendlik or Mrs. Bradley forapplications.Denison High School Speech Scholarships---See Mrs. Olsen for applications.Denison High School FCCLA Scholarship---See Mrs. Wood for applications.The Richard Mahoney Memorial Scholarship--This $500 scholarship is open to all students whoplan to attend college. A brief essay regarding your future plans is required, along with a letter ofrecommendation. Application Deadline--April 30, 2012.United Bank of Iowa Scholarship--This is open to all seniors who have an account at UBI. If youdon’t have an account, your parents must have one with UBI. A short application is requiredCommunity involvement and future plans must be written about. Application Deadline--May 1,2012.Midwestern Players Community Theater Scholarship--This scholarship is offered by Denison’sformer community theater group which entertained thousands of local residents over a period ofabout 25 years. The scholarship is meant for students who have participated in any kind of speech ordrama activities during high school. A short application is required. Application Deadline--May 1.The Denison High School Student Athlete Scholarship--This scholarship is intended to beawarded to a student who has clearly demonstrated his/her best efforts to excel in the classroom aswell as on the playing field. The student does not have to have the highest GPA or be a starter on asquad. An application, recommendations, and transcript are required. This scholarship is given by2 DHS graduates, Kristin Lee Jans and Eric Jans. Application Deadline--April 20, 2012. Denison High School Alumni Scholarship--This scholarship will be awarded to a child of aDenison High School graduate who belongs to the DHS Alumni Association. A short applicationwith just 2 responses is required. Application Deadline--May 1.The Reginal Lally Memorial Scholarship--This $500 scholarship will be awarded to a student whoplans to become a teacher. Preference will be given to those candidates who plan to teach Pre-Kthrough 2nd grade, but others will be considered. A brief application which includes several shortessays, a transcript, and 1 recommendation are required. Application Deadline--May 1, 2012.The Clarence Bartlett Conservation Scholarship--This $500 scholarship is given by the WestCentral Izaak Walton League of America to a Crawford County senior who plans to pursue a careerin a conservation-related area. Some agriculture-related majors will also qualify. A short essay isrequired with the application. Application Deadline--May 1.Schleswig Education Foundation Scholarship--Open to any student who lives in the traditionalSchleswig School District. A brief application is required to be emailed to Mr. Johnson. ApplicationDeadline--May 1, 2012.The Maria Araujo Memorial Scholarship--established after the tragic death of Maria, thisscholarship serves as a memorial to her wonderful kindness and generosity. You must be planning to

obtain a degree in Nursing or Teaching, and you must have a minimum GPA of 2.75. A short essay,application, and 2 letters of recommendation are required. Application Deadline--April 23, 2012.The Duane Goode Scholarship--This scholarship is in memory of Duane Goode who was a longtimeeducator in the Schleswig schools. You must live in the Schleswig school district. A shortapplication and a letter of recommendation from a non-relative living in the Schleswig school districtare required. Application Deadline---April 25.E. A. Raun Scholarship--Funding for this award is from the interest on a financial donation whichMr. Raun made to Denison High School. The amount of the scholarship and the number ofscholarships awarded is determined by the amount of that interest. A very short application and aletter about your goals are required. Application Deadline--May 3.Knights of Columbus Council 2074 Scholarship--Traditionally these $300 scholarships have beenawarded to Catholic students. A very short application is required. The money is not granted untilafter completion of the first semester of college. Return application to the Guidance Office.Application Deadline--April 18, 2012.Iowa Golf Association Scholarships-- Any senior is eligible for these $4000 scholarships, but somepreference will be given to those who have been involved in golf. A short essay about yourself,including your experience in golf or other sports, and your financial need, as well asrecommendations from people who know about your interest in golf and your general character arerequired. Application Deadline-June 15, 2012.Iowa Pork Foundation Scholarship--You must be planning an ag major with an emphasis on swineproduction. $500 scholarships. Letters of reference and an application are required. ApplicationDeadline--April 30, 2012.You can still file your FAFSA. There is still time, but you MUST get itdone.

Commencement Speech Competition--Class of 2012Speech Topic: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matterscompared to what lies within us.”-Henry S. Haskins Senior Class mottoTime Limits: 6-8 minutesContest Rules and Guidelines:1. The speech should reflect a combination of purposes: to inform, to persuade, to inspire,to entertain. The speech MUST NOT be a stroll down memory lane ("Remember in 3rdgrade when we..." or "Remember how we all thought Heritage would be so hard...") Thisspeech should reflect the significance of the moment--your commencement--and what thatmeans to you and the audience. Any speech which includes a list of memories/recollectionswill be automatically disqualified. The word "commencement" means beginning, NOTlooking back.2. The speech must be your own effort. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.3. Faculty assistance may not be requested/used until after the winner is selected.4. Friday, April 27, 2012--5 copies of the speech are due to be given to Mr. McGrane by3:30 pm.5. Wednesday, May 2, 2012--you will present your speech to a committee of teachers andseniors. This will be done during Seminar. Arrange your schedules accordingly.6. If you are selected as the Commencement speaker, you will agree to meet with Mr.7. McGrane (or a teacher he suggests) a minimum of two times for constructive evaluation ofyour presentation.The Rewards:l. The honor of delivering the Commencement Address to the Class of 2012.2. $500.00 Cash--In case of a tie, the money will be divided, and both winners willspeak.The judges (3 staff members, 2 seniors) will evaluate you on the following basis:1. Presentation style (it doesn't have to be memorized, but should be learned well enough toavoid reading. Do you make eye contact, have gestures, show your own involvement with what youare saying? Is your voice lively rather than monotone? Does your face reflect liveliness?)2. Quality of content Is the speech interesting? (Remember, look forward to the future of yourclass, not behind.) Will those who are listening be proud that you have been a part of Denison HighSchool? Is there evidence of research/independent thinking/analyzing, or are there just a lot ofpersonal thoughts strung together? Does your content make you sound as though you are someonewho SHOULD be listened to with attentiveness? Are you organized around a central theme?3. Show some evidence of research without boring the audience with a lot of facts/statistics.Use research that will inspire your audience or that which will move the listeners emotionally.4. Length of presentation (note the guidelines above. A four-minute speech should not win.)