Class of 2025 Senior Newsletter #5
November 26th, 2024
Here Come The Holidays!
This edition of the senior newsletter is coming a little early because there are two important things coming your way at the start of December.
Thursday, December 4th will mark the first of three Senior Seminar Days. These will be days meant to bring you real life skills that you will hopefully carry with you after graduation. There are more details below, and announcements will be made so that students know exactly what they are expected to do on each day.
Additionally, December 1st was supposed to mark the opening of the 2025-2026 FAFSA, but they beat their goal and released it on November 21st. Please read below to learn more about the FAFSA, and to access some really great resources to help you through it.
As the snow begins to fall, please make sure that you are staying on top of what you need to. It's going to get easy to let things slide! Be sure to keep utilizing your resources and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Don't forget, I'm generally available during Lunch & Learn (either in my office or in the Library). Don't be shy! Remember - I'm here for you all. It doesn't matter what the topic is! It's all overwhelming, but you don't have to go through it all alone.
As always, I strongly encourage you to go through this entire newsletter. There's lots of great information and there's bound to be something in here that will help each and every one of you.
Specifically, this newsletter will look at:
- A Few Notes for Seniors (Introducing Senior Seminar Days)
- Career & College Preparation Information
- Financial Aid Information (FAFSA Info Below!)
- A few more scholarships!
If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to reach out. Remember, I'm here for every one of you no matter what. Please know that I am here for anything you need - and that goes well beyond applying to college!
-Mr. Watters
A Few Notes For Seniors
Introducing Senior Seminar Days
This year, our 12th grade students have expressed a desire to be trained for more "real life situations" that they may be met with outside of school. In an effort to meet those needs, we will hold three Senior Seminar Days over the remainder of the year. These days will provide students with CPR training, Stop The Bleed and first aid training, a financial literacy workshop, conversations about how to develop and maintain healthy relationships, self-care information, and more!
These Seminar Days are tentatively scheduled for December 4th, February 27th, and April 10th. Please read the attached letter to learn more about how the days will work. Below you will find links to the letter describing the days in more detail, the group assignments, and the schedule for each day.
Celebrating The Win
As of November 25th:
- 46% of our senior class has applied to college.
- They've completed 285 college applications for 87 different schools.
- So far 41% of those students have reported at least one college acceptance (but we know there's more!)
- 2 students has already signed on with the military; 2 others have indicated plans to do so.
- 15% of the senior class has indicated they will enter into the workforce upon graduation.
- 89 Letters of Recommendation have been written.
From all the numbers above, we have some "wins" to celebrate! This is simply just any indication that your next step is closer to being a reality. For those looking to go to college, this means a college acceptance. For those looking to go into the military, this means signing with your branch. For those looking to enter the workforce, this means getting a job.
So far, we can celebrate the win for:
Penelope Archer
Evan Berlinski
Jayla Bilinsky
Daniel Black
Marley Bodnar
Emilee Bruno
Aidan Canavan
Charlotte Carrube
Delana Chesar
Myles Decker
Blaise Dennis
Libby Fofi
Juliana Grier
Ava Grossi
Hope Hanichak
Jack Hemak
Brooke Hill
Gracyn Keen
Jordan Malar
Jeremy Nichols
Jayden Poklemba
Gia Serge
Abigail Shygelski
Gabrielle Turner
Gavin Zellers
We know there are more of you!! If you have a win to celebrate, please send it our way so we can celebrate it with you! Please send us the following:
- college acceptance letters (please also indicate acceptances in SCOIR)
- scholarships you have received
- signed military contracts
- signed work or apprenticeship contracts
- anything else you see as relevant
You can stop by and we will make a copy of your proof or feel free to send a picture or screenshot to me at zwatters@lakelandsd.org. The next newsletter will start featuring some of out student Wins!
Things to Consider:
For the Military Bound Student:
- Keep an eye out at lunch. Our military recruiters love to come by and meet with students.
- If you haven't seen a recruiter from a branch of the military you are interested in, let us know and we can help set something up.
- Lunch is only one time to meet with recruiters. If you need a 1-1 meeting, I can get that set up for you as well. Stop by or email me to let me know!
- Be very mindful if you are signing any contracts! Make sure that some people you trust look it over with you before you sign your name.
- Students who are also considering college should be mindful that ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) is also an option. Learn more here.
- If you officially enlist in any branch of the military, please let me know!
For the College Bound Student:
- Be sure you are keeping an eye on when your applications are due!
- The FAFSA is expected to open on December 1st. There's more information about that below. Every college bound student should complete the FAFSA!
- As you start to receive acceptances to schools, please send those my way! We want to feature you in "Celebrate the Win!"
For the Workforce Bound Student:
- Check out the information on apprenticeships below. This is an excellent pathway towards a career. You continue to learn, but this doesn't include all of what college also entails.
- Unions are a great way to build a career. Access PA Union websites below.
- Take pride in entering the workforce. College is not for everyone, and there is absolutely no shame in getting out there to work. You'll be way ahead of your peers in a lot of different ways. The world needs workers!
For the Undecided Student:
- We've just passed the quarter mark of the school year, and you may be feeling the pressure to make a decision. This is normal!! It's just important that you take some steps now so the pressure doesn't keep building. Don't ignore it. Read through this newsletter. Come talk to me. Discuss options with your family and friends. Shadow. Explore. The answer is out there, you just need to find it.
- If you continue to question whether college is right for you, then the simplest answer is that it might not be right for you now. Gap Year is a thing. It's a semester or year that you take to learn through experience. You can go see different careers, work, make some money, and find your path. At the very least, you can continue to cross some things off your list that you know you don't want to do. There is even a Gap Year Association. You can check them out if you are looking for formal experiences, but it doesn't have to be that official. If you want some suggestions, come see me!
- While I am supportive to anyone who wants to attend college, I also need to point out that college is not for everyone. It can be an expensive burden, especially if you aren't sure what you want to do yet. If you are considering college and concerned about the cost, there will always be opportunities for loans and for scholarships. Keep looking around, and come see me when you have questions!
- Get a job. See what it's like. Listen to the people who already have the job. Learn what their training has been or what they wish they had done. Learn about what they like, and what they don't like too. Talk with your parents and other important people in your life - they've all had experiences that they value or regret. Everyone has a different path. And don't be afraid to come see me. I'm happy to give you my perspective, or to just listen as you process things on your own.
Service Hours
All students are required to complete at least 20 hours of community service. You can access the tracking sheet below, and can hand completed hours in to Mrs. Weaver at any time. We know that many of you have already completed your hours, but we still need documentation of that on our end. If you are curious where you stand, you can email Mrs. Weaver or Mr. Watters to find your number!
College Application & Career Exploration Information
My first few newsletters focused a great deal on the college application process because there's just so much to know. In an effort to limit the length of this newsletter, I am not going to repeat all of that information. Rather, you will find links to the LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website as well as the presentation that was given in your classes earlier in the year. If you haven't, please be sure to go through that website. I promise any information you need will be in there. Take your time to explore it all, and let me know what questions might come up! Previous newsletters can also be found at the very bottom of this newsletter. The pages you'll find are:
Career Exploration Information
How to Request Letters of Recommendation
**NEW** Lackawanna Instant Decision Day
A representative from Lackawanna College will be visiting Lakeland at11:00 AM next Tuesday, December 3rd. They will run an instant decision day where admission decisions will be done on the spot. If you would like to apply and have your admission decision for Lackawanna College done that day, please sign up using the form linked below.
Entering the Workforce
What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally-recognized, portable credential. Essentially, you go through specific training in your field, and are able to officially advance up the ranks to higher employment and salaries.
College isn't for everyone. This is one of those pathways that exist to help you advance without going to college. Apprenticeships are paid. You earn a competitive wage while going through your learning. You can visit the links below to learn more.
PA Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Websites
Click the links below to visit the websites for many different trades and apprenticeships in Pennsylvania!
The Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
International Union of Elevator Constructors
International Union of Operating Engineers
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Laborers International Union of North America
Operative Plasterers and Cement Mason's International Union
Sheet Metal Workers International Association
Lackawanna College Business Partnerships
Many jobs that you hold will give you the opportunity to work for your education. Some may even pay your entire tuition if you work a certain amount of hours per week. Lackawanna College has many of those partnerships. Check out the link below to learn more!
Financial Aid Information
The FAFSA Application is set to open on December 1st. Additional information about completing the FAFSA is below, but the Financial Aid Information section of the LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website is a great place to start gathering information. I'd recommend that you check it out now, and ask any questions that might come up. Here you'll find information such as:
Why financial aid is important
What financial aid is
Tips to get you started
The different financial aid applications
When you apply for financial aid
Who fills out the applications
What the different types of applications look like
**NEW** FAFSA Release Resources
The FAFSA Prototype is available now. This is an opportunity for families to dive in to the expectations of the FAFSA and practice before officially filling out the application.
The Guide to Filling Out The FAFSA will walk you step by step through the different sections and how to complete each.
FAFSA Tips & FAFSA News & Updates are good resources to stay up to date on everything you need to know about the document.
In addition, the sections below are all local opportunities to gain more insight about filling out the FAFSA. It can be a scary and complicated thing to complete, but there are countless resources available to you. You are not in it alone!
Free FAFSA Helpline
At this point, we have heard that the FAFSA will not be available until December 1st at the earliest. We do still want to share the free FAFSA Helpline. You can text the help desk at 313-723-2372 with questions at any time!
PHEAA
PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) is an agency specific to PA with the goal of helping families across the commonwealth understand, navigate, and gain access to financial aid for whatever the next step after high school may be. Click the link below to access their website that is full of resources!
Additionally, each month, PHEAA hosts webinars aimed to help families looking for financial assistance to help pay for college. We will share the upcoming topics here each time they are updated. You can access a flyer below with links to register!
A tip - even if you can't attend the webinar at the time its scheduled, registering for the event should give you access to a recording of the event so you can watch it at your leisure.
Upcoming topics include:
- Searching for Scholarships
- The Financial Aid Timeline
- Borrowing For Education - Which Loan Is Right For Me?
- The Two-Step Approach To Finding An Affordable Higher Education
- Understanding The Offer Letter and Balances
- Covering the Gap - Pieces of the Puzzle To Help Pay Your Education Bill
PHEAA Resources
In addition to their webinars, PHEAA offers a variety of resources to help through the college application process. It's long, but the PHEAA Financial Aid Resource Manual linked below is a really excellent guide for all things financial aid. You can also reach out to someone at PHEAA who can meet with you to help you make sense of it all.
PA Educational Opportunity Center
The EOC is a local service whose purpose is to help students who are interested in continuing their education. They offer a great many services, and specifically, they can offer 1 on 1 appointments with students or families to help complete the FAFSA, college applications, or more. Best of all - services from the EOC are completely FREE.
Above this text, you see a flyer that advertises many of the services that the EOC has to offer. Please feel free to utilize that contact information, or go through the counseling office to set something up! Below this text, you will see a link to the EOC website.
It cannot be emphasized enough how wonderful this resource is! If you are struggling with anything at all, you are strongly recommended to utilize it!
Scholarships
There is generally no more asked question than "how can I get a scholarship." If I had the answer to that, I promise I would share it, but unfortunately it isn't that simple. At this point, most scholarships are national applications that are highly competitive. Most local scholarships will become available sometime in the winter of your senior year, and will all be announced via newsletter. The first one that we've received are below! For now, you can check out the Scholarships page of the LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website. It has some scholarship sites that may provide you with some opportunities!
Scholarships That We've Been Notified Of
- American Legion Scholarships - These scholarships generally target students who have family members who have served in the military, or students who are interested in civics and government. Application Deadlines: Vary
- Hagan Scholarship Foundation - This scholarship provides up to $7,500 per semester to students and is based on financial need. It is competitive across the nation, but has awards for a large number of students. Application Deadline: December 1st, 2024
- Marywood University EOC Scholarship - This scholarship is for up to $1,000 per year at Marywood University. Application Deadline: December 16th, 2024
- William & Debrah Pettigrew Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship is for students who plan to go to college to major in education. Application Deadline: February 1st, 2025
- Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains Scholarships - There are a variety of scholarships available through the Community Foundation. Filling out one application should connect you with everything you are eligible for. Application Deadline: March 15th, 2025
Now Breathe!
I know there is A LOT of information here. I promise it is all important in its own way. As we approach the holidays, be sure you are keeping up on everything you need to know. Deadlines are quickly approaching, so be sure you're being diligent!
I believe in each and every one of you! I know that you will all absolutely crush your senior year, and I can't wait to see what you all make of it. If you made it this far, you'll be in great shape. There's lots more information to come, so keep breathing and we will get through this together!
Remember, if you don't know, ask! Reach out. I can only help you if I know what you're struggling with. I'm here for all of you no matter what.
Best,
Mr. Watters
Past Newsletters
Lakeland School Counseling Office
Classes of 2026, 2028, & 2030
Click Here to Make an Appointment
Mr. Watters - zwatters@lakelandsd.org
Classes of 2025, 2027 & 2029
Click Here to Make an Appointment
Location: 1355 Lakeland Drive, Jermyn, PA, United States
Email: lhscounseling@lakelandsd.org | Phone: 570-254-9485
Mrs. deQuevedo and Mr. Watters are the School Counselors at Lakeland Jr./Sr. HS.