High School Counseling Connection

January 2025

Dear Families,

I hope you had an enjoyable winter break.

This month, the Counselors are winding down our freshman meetings and beginning to schedule junior meetings. Junior families, please check your email to see the invitation to your student’s junior meeting.

The HS Registrar, Valerie Norris, has accepted a new opportunity at Appalachian State. She will be missed but we wish her the very best in her new position. While we search for her replacement, please direct any questions, documents or messages typically handled by the registrar to Ms. Jill Thomas at jthomas@lncharter.org.

JANUARY EVENTS

1/17: Report cards distributed
1/20: School holiday
1/29: Career & College Promise meeting, 6:00pm in the HS MPR
1/31: Deadline to apply for lottery for 2025-26 school year

FEBRUARY EVENTS

2/4 HS Principal coffee chat, 8:00am
2/5 Board of Education meeting, 7:00pm in the MS media center
2/12 LNC Lottery
2/13 Remote learning
2/14 School holiday
2/20-23 Senior trip

HS COUNSELING WEBSITE

Our website is a good source of information on scholarships, financial aid, social-emotional resources, CPCC dual enrollment, Naviance, relaxation techniques and much more.

Please email me if you have any questions:

Kimberly Van Buren

kvanburen@lncharter.org

GENERAL INFORMATION

SAT/COLLEGE BOARD TESTING UPDATES

In response to feedback from students, families and educators for more opportunities to take the SAT®, College Board is pleased to announce that the number of weekend administrations in the 2025-26 school year will increase from seven to eight, with a new September, 2025 administration offered in the United States and internationally.

In addition to the usual dates, the College Board will be offering an administration on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Test centers will be able to select their dates when the annual process kicks off in February, 2025 and students will be able to register for September and other SAT administrations in spring 2025. Scores from the September administration will be available approximately two weeks following the administration and before October 1.

Please note: The SAT has moved to a digital format now known as the "DSAT." Many of our students have taken their school-issued laptops to the testing site and encountered issues with the SAT's wifi configuration that prevented them from taking the exam. Therefore, we strongly discourage students from bringing their LNC-issued laptop to take the DSAT. Instead, students may either:

Request a laptop for test-taking purposes from the DSAT administrators ahead of time. Follow this link for more information.
Bring a personal laptop with them to take the test.

CCP/CPCC UPDATE

If you are a parent and student interested in taking CPCC courses for the first time, please plan to attend an informative meeting on January 29 at 6:00pm in the HS MPR. A CPCC representative will be on hand to discuss Career and College Promise, its requirements and expectations.

Current CPCC students interested in summer courses can register for those now. Seniors who will graduate can still take CPCC courses the summer after graduation.

Make sure to pay for your classes so that you are not dropped. This should be done as soon as you register or shortly after!

SENIOR INFORMATION

FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION

If you were unable to attend our financial aid meeting in November, the presentation is shared here for your review. Paying for College 24-25

FAFSA

Be sure to complete your FAFSA NOW for the 2025-26 school year! Federal Student Aid

SCHOLARSHIPS BULLETIN

Check out the newest scholarship listings available to seniors! Senior Scholarship Bulletin 24-25

SOPHOMORE INFORMATION

WAKE FOREST LAUNCH PROGRAM

College LAUNCH for Leadership is a FREE college prep program for students in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, NC. Students will stand out during the college application process and build upon their leadership skills as Wake Forest College LAUNCH Scholars. LAUNCH alumni are more prepared and earn more in college scholarships than the average college applicant.

College Launch for Leadership

High school students who will be juniors during the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible to apply beginning January 7. Applicants must be located in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, or the surrounding communities, as Scholars are required to attend monthly in-person events at their regional Wake Forest University campus (Winston-Salem Main Campus or Charlotte Campus).

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and students are encouraged to apply early.

Read all eligibility and application requirements at this link: Apply - College LAUNCH for Leadership

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

PROJECT UPLIFT AT UNC CHAPEL HILL FOR JUNIORS

Project Uplift and Uplift Plus are summer enrichment and college access programs designed to promote and increase access to higher education for rising high school seniors. The programs have historically focused on students from backgrounds underrepresented in postsecondary education, such as first-generation college, low income and rural students, though all interested North Carolina students are welcome to apply.

For more information and to apply please visit their website: Project Uplift and Uplift PLUS

Project Uplift Flyer

HOBY LEADERSHIP SUMMER PROGRAM FOR SOPHOMORES

Applications for the Hugh O’Brian Leadership Program “HOBY” are available for interested sophomores dedicated to their community through leadership and action. This is an overnight summer program held June 13 to 15 at UNC Asheville. If you are interested, please complete the application and activities list. HOBY Application

Two students will be selected to participate. Applications are due March 1.

More information about HOBY:

The HOBY leadership programs are designed to educate, motivate and activate students, giving them the tools they need to turn their ideas into action and reach their goals. Each program adheres to the five core HOBY values: Volunteerism, Integrity, Excellence, Diversity, and Community Partnership. To learn more about this program go to their website: HOBY Youth Leadership.

RED HAT SHELTON CHALLENGE SUMMER PROGRAM THROUGH NCSU

The Shelton Challenge is a six-day residential experience to help students expand their knowledge and skills of what it takes to be a leader. Students will participate in activities that will help them have a greater understanding for:

Personal Leadership Assessment and Interpersonal Dynamics
Role of Values and Ethics in Leadership
Leadership Traits and Approaches
Team Building and Empowering Others
Civic and Social Responsibility
Goal Setting

The Shelton Challenge seeks youth who are going into the 9th to 12th grades (graduating seniors included) with a 3.0 grade point average (unweighted) or higher. Cost to attend the program is $600 for the week. Applications will close on February 15, 2025. Here is a link to more information and application requirements: Shelton Challenge Programs - Shelton Leadership

For additional summer enrichment opportunities and part time employment opportunities, please have your student check Naviance for more information.

Lake Norman Charter School

www.LNCharter.org