This edition of the Senior Newsletter is not much different from the last one. You will find some new scholarships, and yet another update on Senior Seminars. Weather has not been kind to us!

Keep in mind that there are lots of scholarship deadlines approaching quickly. Don't miss out!

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 (Senior Seminar updates, Service Hours)
• Scholarship Information (New Scholarships Announced!)
• Postsecondary Information
• Financial Aid Information & Resources

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

Mother Nature has not been on our side as we have had two Senior Seminar Days cancelled due to weather. Because of scheduling constrictions, we are pivoting our original idea, and will be hold just one Senior Seminar Day on April 10th. This means that the originally scheduled session on February 27th is cancelled, and students will attend school as they normally would on that day.

On April 10th, students will be able to elect what sessions they attend. A Google Form will be shared in the coming weeks to help facilitate that. For now, please just mark your calendars for 4/10. All students should plan to be at Lakeland for a full day that day.

For a reminder, here is the original description of our 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!

As of January 12th:

• 54% of our senior class has applied to college.
• They've completed 340 college applications for 108 different schools.
• So far 53% 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.
• 117 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

Faith Brown

Emilee Bruno

Gianna Bullick

Aidan Canavan

Charlotte Carrube

Delana Chesar

Nicholas Chmiola

Myles Decker

Blaise Dennis

Libby Fofi

Juliana Grier

Ava Grossi

Hope Hanichak

Jack Hemak

Brooke Hill

Gracyn Keen

Jesse Kovaleski

Jordan Malar

Lucianna Natale

Jeremy Nichols

Jayden Poklemba

Michael Rivera

Gia Serge

Abigail Shygelski

Gabrielle Turner

Luke Vinansky

Kendra Williams

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!

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!

**Please note that at some point soon, students who leave early for junior/senior privilege may not be able to leave early until their service hours have been completed.**

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. It's the time of year where local scholarships are being announced more frequently, so check back to this section often as I will continue to post new scholarships as they come in. You can also check out the Scholarships page of the LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website. It has some scholarship sites that may provide you with some opportunities!

Please note that scholarships are listed by submission deadline date, and any scholarship that is new to this newsletter will be marked as **NEW**.

Scholarship Spotlight

Scranton Area Community Foundation Scholarships

• The Scranton Area Community Foundation gives out a multitude of scholarships each year specifically to students in NEPA. If you click the link, you'll be taken to their scholarship home page that will prompt you to create an account.
• Once you do, you will fill out their Universal Application. The answers you provide will give create a list of their scholarships that you qualify for. Most of those will require additional information, an essay, a letter of recommendation, or any combination of those. Some examples that might apply to Lakeland students are the Joseph (Firp) and Charles Pacino Scholarship Fund and James F. Swift Scholarship Fund among others. For a full list of available scholarships, click here.
• Please be sure that you are filling out all information correctly!
• There will be a question about GPA. Lakeland only provides weighted GPA. On the Universal Application, please put 0.00 in when asked for unweighted GPA. If an additional application requires the unweighted GPA, please see Mr. Watters.
• All applications are due no later than March 1st, 2025.
• If you are awarded a scholarship, there may still be additional information you need to provide.

Other Local Scholarships

• 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
• Blair E. Caboot Memorial Scholarship - This $1,000 local scholarship is specifically for students who have future plans in a mathematics-related field. The application can be accessed through the link Application Deadline: March 1st, 2025
• Peoples Security Bank & Trust Scholarship - This program has ten, $1,000 scholarships available to students who are customers of Peoples Security Bank or children of customers. Click the link to learn more. Application Deadline: March 1st, 2025
• **NEW** PSBA Trust Scholarship - This scholarship application is for a one time $2,500 or $5,000 scholarship for students in PSBA member districts (which Lakeland is). Application Deadline: March 14th, 2025
• Roy W. Piper Charitable Trust - 4-Year College - This scholarship fund is for students planning to attend a 4-year institution, with priority given to students who will attend Keystone College or its successor. Click the link for more information. Application Deadline: March 15th, 2025
• Roy W. Piper Charitable Trust - 2-Year College Or Trade School - This scholarship fund is for students planning to attend a 2-year institution or trade school, completing programs such as, but not limited to Accounting, Automotive, Business/IT, Computer Sciences, Cosmetology, Culinary, Health Sciences, Skilled Trades, Truck Driving. Click the link for more information. Application Deadline: March 15th, 2025
• Roy W. Piper Charitable Trust - Military - This scholarship fund is for students planning to pursue an education at a military-related institution. Click the link for more information. Application Deadline: March 15th, 2025
• Dana Rymer Battenberg Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship, offered through the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains (below) is specifically for a Lakeland School District Senior who displays high moral character and who will attend college outside of Lackawanna and Luzerne County. Application Deadline: March 15th, 2025
• **NEW** 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: March 15th, 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
• Paul T. Bordi Memorial Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship targets students who played a varsity sport while in high school. Click the link for more information and criteria. Application Deadline: March 30th, 2025
• **NEW 2/26** Dave Weaver & PBA Scholarship - These two scholarships are for students whose parent(s) work in the flagstone, fieldstone, and/or bluestone industry. More details can be found in the link.
• **NEW** NEPA AHEC Rural Health Scholarship - This $2,000 scholarship is for students who are planning on attending a 2-year Allied Health program in NEPA. Click the link to learn more. Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025
• Brian Piccolo Award & Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship is for Italian American student athletes. Click the link for the requirements. Please note that student interested in applying should submit their applications to the counseling office first. Lakeland is only able to submit one application for consideration and will send their nominee directly to the committee. Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025
• **NEW** Fraternal Order of Police Scholarship - This $500 scholarship is for any student who intends on majoring in criminal justice or entering the Act 120 police academy. Click the link for more information. Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025
• **NEW** PA School Counselors Association Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship is available to college bound students in PA. An essay about the impact a school counselor has had on you is required. More details are available in the link. Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025
• **NEW** Kiwanis Club of Scranton Scholarship - Through the link, there are two $1,500 scholarships available. Application Deadline: April 2nd, 2025
• **NEW 2/25** Margery Scranton Council of Republican Women Scholarship - This $750 scholarship is for female seniors who have an interest in politics and are registered Republican. Click the link for more information. Application Deadline: April 11th, 2025
• **NEW** Metzger Wickersham Scholarship - This scholarship is available for students who are willing to advertise the dangers of driving under the influence. Click the link for more information. Application Deadline: April 15th, 2025
• Mike Munchak Community Service Scholarship - This $6,300 scholarship is for students who have demonstrated a commitment to community service. More information can be found in the link. Application Deadline: April 27th, 2025
• **NEW** PA Heritage Foundation Scholarship - Five scholarships of either $1,000 of $500 are available to students willing to write an essay about an underrecognized piece of Pennsylvania History. Application Deadline: May 2nd, 2025
• **NEW 3/4/25** Josiah Hricko Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available through the Harford Fair. Click the link for more info. Application Deadline: May 15th, 2025
• **NEW** Corabelle Chappell Memorial Fund Scholarship - This scholarship is open for students in Lackawanna County who will be attending Keystone College in the fall. Application Deadline: May 29th, 2025
• **NEW 3/4/25** Harford Agricultural Society Scholarship - This scholarship is available specifically for students who have been involved in the Harford Fair. Click the link for more information. Application Deadline: August 31st, 2025

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• February Scholarship Newsletter - This newsletter features 15 national scholarships that students may apply for. Application deadlines vary between February 28th & April 30th.

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

College Application Guide

Decision Types

Types of Applications

Information about SCOIR

How to Request Letters of Recommendation

How to Send Transcripts to Schools

College Essays

Scholarships

Testing Information (SAT/ACT)

Financial Aid Information

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 opened on November 21st. 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!" above!

For the Workforce Bound Student:

• Check out the information in the apprenticeships section 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.
• Don't be afraid to shadow. We will excuse absences if you are on an official job shadow. Talk to Mr. Watters to learn more about that.
• 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're just about half way through the school year. THe pressure to make a decision is ramping up, but you still have time. 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.

The FAFSA Application opened on November 21st. 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

The FAFSA opened on November 21st, and is available for you to complete. This is the most common type of Financial Aid, and will result in receiving federal, public student loans if you qualify. You can click the link below to access the FAFSA website. It's a long, complicated process, so you are strongly encouraged to start it as soon as possible. Every student who has applied to college should complete the FAFSA!

There are also some really good resources below. 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!

The FAFSA Helpline can be reached via text at 313-723-2372. Reach out to it with questions at any time!

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

Click the link below for information about a free FAFSA Completion Workshop. You can receive one on one help completing the application!

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.

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!

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.

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

United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America

United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers

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!

I know there is A LOT of information here. I promise it is all important in its own way. We're just about halfway through the year, so be sure you are keeping up on everything you need to know. Deadlines are quickly approaching. Be sure you're being diligent!

I believe in each and every one of you! I know that you will all continue to 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

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

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