Vol 97: Number 2 - Arsenal Technical High School - Indianapolis ...

4THE CANNON - NEWS Oct. 14, 2009THENEXTSTEPSeniors prepare ‘AVID-ly’ for collegeBy BECCA HOODEditor-in-ChiefCollege Preparation is no easy task, but AVID strives tolighten the burden and set students up for success.AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)is a college prep class marking a milestone in its fourthyear at Tech. The class of 2010 will be the first seniors tograduate with four years of the AVID program under theirbelts.AVID helps prepare students for AP and honors classesand pushes students to a higher level. It also preparesstudents through vocabulary enhancement, study groupsand preparing for class through peer support and studenttutorials.“Tutorials is a questioning way of teaching you how toarrive at an answer,” said International Academy AVIDteacher Jennifer McNally.The AVID classes run the student-generated tutorialsevery Tuesday and Thursday. An AVID tutorial is not atypical tutoring session. Student tutors lead their peersthrough the process of finding an answer by askingquestions. This way students do not need to know all theins and outs of a subject.Binders are a key part of AVID, by keeping studentsorganized. AVID students are required to keep allclasswork, papers and tests in one place so everything isspotless and nothing is lost.Cornell Notes are also a big part of AVID andorganization.They are a “text-messaging way of taking notes,”McNally said.If Cornell notes are done correctly, students can quizthemselves and even make questions to help teachers insetting up tests.Currently AVID seniors are setting up their college essaysand resumes. They are also applying for scholarships andusing their study and peer time together. Avid teachers saidseniors need to maintain their GPAs and begin to searchand apply for colleges. Seniors also should be studying forthe SAT and PSAT.“Never give up, take advantage of all situations,” saidACE AVID teacher Marla Short. “You’re a family -support each other.”SENIORS are you ready?ACT/SAT TEST INFORMATIONRegistration packets and fee waivers forthe ACT and SAT can be found in theGuidance Office, Rm. G.SCHOLARSHIPSAVAILABLE NOWAll scholarship applications may beobtained from the Guidance office,Rm. G in the Arsenal. Come for informationand applications during yourlunch or after school.USA Funds Access to EducationScholarshipsThis scholarship opportunity isavailable to high school seniors.Apply online at www.usafunds.org/scholarship between Dec. 15 andFeb. 15. It is specifically for studentswhose household annual incomeis $35,000 or less. Priority will begiven to students who are membersof an ethnic-minority groupor have a documented physicaldisability.Deadline: Feb. 15, 2010All online applications must besubmitted by 11:59 p.m. EST. Jan. 11.21st Century Scholars ProgramATHS Coordinator: Dr. Robinson,Rm. G, ArsenalStudents, must have signed up for thisprogram in middle school. Eligible seniorsmust maintain a 2.0 GPA in orderto obtain the 21st Century Scholarship.THE 21ST CENTURY SCHOLARSENIOR EXIT MEETING ISOCT. 21. YOU MUST ATTENDTO SIGN YOUR AFFIRMATIONFORM. If you transferred to Techfrom another IPS school or non-IPSschool, you MUST update your status.See Ms. Childers or Dr. Robinson, ifyou have questions about your status.NEW - Rev. Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr. Essay ContestThe contest is open to all high schoolstudents in Indiana. The application isavailable in Rm. G.Deadline: Jan. 2, 2010Frank O’Bannon GrantThis opportunity is for seniors planningto attend an Indiana school. Moreinformation can be found at www.state.in.us/ssaci.HELPFUL WEBSITESNelnet – Scholarship and FinancialAid Resourcehttp://www.nelnet.comFree Application for Federal StudentAid (FAFSA) – Register onlinefor your PIN numbers (students andparents) today.Web applications are available Jan.1 in local public libraries. You areSTRONGLY ENCOURAGED tocomplete application online from Jan.1 to Feb. 28 at http://www.fafsa.ed.govScholarship resource:http://www.weeklyscholarshipalert.org/Virtual College Tours, College Planning,Scholarship Search:http://www.ecampustours.com/Scholarship and Grant Information:www.BlackStudents.comInformation on scholarship forstudents of Hispanic originhttp://www.hsf.netScholarship and Financial AidResourcewww.fastweb.com/high schoolEmployment Search Enginehttp://www.snagajob.com/Banking Information for students:www.usbank.com/studentbankingStudent Financial Aid informationwww.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsaInformation compiled from Titans TreasuresScholarship Bulletin, First EditionFor more information, see Dr. Robinsonin Rm. G in the Arsenal.ACT DATESTest Date Reg. Deadline Late DeadlineDec. 8 Nov. 2 Nov. 15Feb. 9 Jan. 8 Jan. 18Apr. 12 Mar. 7 Mar. 21June 14 May 9 May 23SAT DATESTest Date Reg. Deadline Late DeadlineDec. 1 Oct. 30 Nov. 8Jan. 26 Dec. 26 Jan. 4Mar. 1 Jan. 29 Feb. 7May 3 Apr. 1 Apr. 10June 7 May 6 May 15Test Preparation• ACT, Inc (www.act.org/news/student/index.html) – ACT preparation and general collegeand financial aid information• Collegeboard.com (www.collegeboard.com)– SAT preparation and general college andfinancial aid information• Kaplan (www.kaplan.com) – SAT and ACTtest preparation and registration• Peterson’s (www.petersons.com) – SAT andACT online preparation, college search, andfinancial aid informationTHE BOTTOM LINE. . . COLLEGE GOAL WEEK through Friday. . .SENIORS: Applythis week to college - all application fees are waived to state colleges and universities. . .Juniors: Registerfor etranscript. . .SOPHOMORES: Take PSAT today. . .FRESHMEN: Take the college/career survey