Happy Friday, U-32,

I hope you and your families had a wonderful Eclipse Day.

I would like to take a moment to give a few shout outs to our U-32 community. Last weekend several U-32 students participated in Vermont History Day. There were several winners from U-32 and also a handful of students who qualified to participate in National History Day in June. (More details on that below.) I'm also happy to announce that the U-32's Stage 32 play, Unspoken Word, won the State Theater Festival and have moved on to compete in the New England Drama Festival. On Tuesday, twenty eight of our middle school students traveled to the Winooski Valley Middle School Music Festival where they had the opportunity to perform with other students from around the region. Congratulations to each of you for your achievements!

We are also currently hosting our Spring production, Matilda the Musical, with another show this evening, and a final showing tomorrow night. If you wish to attend, there are additional details in the newsletter below. We'd love to see you at one of them!

One final note- Several parents have inquired about the 2024-25 School Calendar. We expect to have an approved calendar by the time we return from April break. We will send it to families as soon as it is available.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend,

Steven

Stage 16, U-32 Middle School's Theater Program, is proud to present Matilda the Musical, a delightful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel. Follow Matilda Wormwood as she confronts her indifferent parents and the tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, discovering her resilience and courage along the way.

April 12th at 7:00 pm and April 13th at 10:00 am; admission by donation at the door. Arrive early to secure your seats! For more information, contact Erin Galligan-Baldwin at egalliganbaldwin@u32.org. Don’t miss this fun-filled production, good for the whole family! Produced by special arrangement with Musical Theater International.

We are thrilled to announce the results of the 2023-24 Vermont History Day contest! Twenty-three U-32 students participated in the state contest this past Saturday at UVM, our students won 13 prizes, and 5 (and maybe 6) projects qualified for the national competition. They have done tremendous work over the past three months, including being interviewed by a panel of judges on Saturday. Please congratulate them when you see them. Projects will be available for viewing (in the library and virtually) starting next week.

Senior Historical Papers

1st place: Arwa Mint Meiloud for "The Meiji Restoration" (qualifies for National History Day)

Senior Individual Websites

3rd place: Aida Coffey for "Woodstock: A Turning Point for American Youth"

Senior Group Websites

2nd place: Drew Frostick and Oren Winters for "Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance"

Senior Individual Documentaries

1st place: Tennessee Lamb for “Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell: A Turning Point in the Blues” (qualifies for National History Day). Tennessee completed this project as part of the 11-12 World History class Geoff teaches.

Senior Individual Exhibits

1st place: Brennan Swaim for "1886: The Birth of the Automobile" (qualifies for National History Day)

2nd place: Colby Tuller for "Pickett's Charge" (qualifies for National History Day)

3rd place: Mya Gould for "The MBTA Subway: A Turning Point in Transportation"

Senior Group Exhibits

1st place: Emma Pulsifer, Sylvia Emmons, and Sophia Giammusso for "Marie Curie: The Discovery of Radium" (qualifies for National History Day)

The International Studies Prize (with a cash award)

• Senior First Place: "1886: The Birth of the Automobile" by Brennan Swaim
• Senior Second Place: "The Fall of Constantinople" by Cavan Farrell

Military History Prize (with a cash award)
"The Fall of Constantinople" Cavan Farrell

Mollie Beattie Memorial Environmental Prize (with a cash award)
"Predatory Impact on New Zealand's Biosphere" by John Stafford

Vermont State Archives Award for Outstanding Use of Primary Sources (with a cash award)

2nd Place: "Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell: A Turning Point in the Blues" by Tennessee Lamb

Congratulations to our 28 U-32 students that were accepted to and participated in the 2024 Winooski Valley Middle School Festival at Montpelier High School on Tuesday! Students worked hard to prepare their music ahead of time, rehearse with fantastic conductors all day, and put on a spectacular performance with students from around the region.

Last week we visited Saint Michael's College in Colchester, VT for an 8th grade field trip. The campus has a lot of interesting buildings including the chapel that they have, which is pretty big. A few things that I liked about Saint Michael’s are the cafeteria, because the food is great and they have a lot of drink choices and comfy seating arrangements, and the gym there because it's a nice open area and they have a track right above it that you can run on. If I do go to college, Saint Michael’s will probably be one of many on my list because of the people there, and all of the other opportunities they have there. In the end it’s a pretty cool college. -Maple Core, 8th grade boy

One of my main highlights from the trip to St. Michael's college is their sense of community. It's easy to tell how deep their connections to each other are. Everyone is so kind and patient, even while being in a time crunch. I'm so thankful for the many kind people who helped and showed us their perspective on the college experience. -Sierra, Cedar Core

April is Poetry Month!

We've been busy reading, amplifying, and celebrating poetry and spoken word in the library all month long.

The Library and English Departments joined forces to bring the acclaimed spoken word poet Steven Willis back to U-32 for his 4th visit on April 5th. His powerful performance astonished and inspired students in an all-grade assembly for 9th and 10th graders, and he worked directly with students in American Writers, the Pilot, and Creative Writing.

On Saturday, April 6th, the U-32 Poetry Collective partnered with Rabble-Rouser Chocolates and Cafe to host a Youth Poetry Open Mic. Eli Francis and Ava Davis from U-32 were featured poets. The U-32 Poetry Collective was founded in 2023 and we are growing! All students are welcome. We meet during callback on Tuesdays in the library.

On Friday, April 19th, the library will be hosting a Poetry Open Mic, featuring poets from our school with poems published in the 2024 PoemCity Anthology. Their poems are also displayed in downtown Montpelier. Published students in the anthology are Eli Francis, Mayla Landis-Marinello, and Ella Thomas. Published faculty are Meg Allison and Mark Brown. Copies of the anthology are available in the library. Thank you to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, and especially Michelle Singer, for organizing PoemCity.

Beginning in the fall semester of 2024, qualified Vermont residents can attend Vermont State University tuition free!

Delivering high quality and affordable education is our number one priority. With locations spanning across the entire state, Vermonters can be sure to have greater access to our programs going forward. VTSU will close the standard tuition* gap with institutional aid after all federal, state, institutional, and employer supported aid is applied to a student’s account.

Who is eligible?

• Vermont residents of any age enrolling as new students in degree programs starting in the fall semester of 2024 or spring semester of 2025.
• Student/family adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less as reflected on their FAFSA.
• Students seeking their initial undergraduate degree. Those with previous bachelor’s degrees do not qualify.
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How do students apply?

• Apply and be admitted to Vermont State University for a standard tuition program.
• Submit a FAFSA (School Code: 003698).
• Submit a Vermont Grant Application through VSAC.
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What are further requirements for eligibility?

• Register for a minimum of 12 credits each fall and spring semesters (does not include summer).
• Maintain good academic standing (2.0/4.0) and satisfactory academic progress towards degree completion.
• Eligibility will be reviewed each academic year based on the current year FAFSA.

* The Vermont State University Free Tuition Guarantee covers standard program tuition only. Program tuition for Engineering and Technology; Nursing and Respiratory Therapy; and Dental and Radiologic is not covered by this program.

Visit this page for a FREE SAT Bootcamp!

SELECTIVE SERVICE

Did you know it is federal law that all young men need to register with the Selective Service System when they turn 18. Good news - it takes about 2 minutes go to https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Register-Now/Registration-Form

Failure to register can present significant roadblocks to a young man’s future opportunities. This is critically important because registration is linked to numerous federal and state benefits that can help bring funds into communities. These include access to all federal student loans and grants, job training programs, and eligibility for hundreds of thousands of federal jobs, including the U.S. Postal Service, and numerous state, municipal, and federal contractor jobs. Additionally, immigrant men who wish to become citizens will have the process significantly delayed if they don’t register.

Remember to register prior to your 18th birthday!

SAT TESTING DATES (register online at www.collegeboard.com)

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline

May 4, 2024 April 19th

June 1, 2024 May 16th

ACT TESTING DATES (register online at www.actstudent.org)

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline

June 8, 2024 May 3rd

Dual Enrollment / Early College

As a current Vermont high school junior or seniors, you are eligible for two Vermont Dual Enrollment Vouchers, allowing you to take one free college course in your junior year of high school and one in your senior year of high school.

It’s called Dual Enrollment because your free college courses will also earn you credit towards graduation from high school.

Dual enrollment is offered through all VT public colleges/universities and some private colleges too. Go to http://www.vtdualenrollment.org/ for a list of participating colleges and to request a dual enrollment voucher. Summer 2023 courses are now viewable and Fall 2023 courses will be viewable as of April 2023.

High School Seniors are also eligible for Early College- got to http://education.vermont.gov/student-learning/flexible-pathways/early-college for more information

SENIORS; What a great opportunity to check out available SCHOLARSHIPS also in Naviance: Please frequent the Scholarship List in Naviance as it is updated often for available scholarships.

1) Air Force Association Scholarships - $10,000 – 12 Awards (Deadline: April 30, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a dependent of an Active-Duty Guard, Reserve, veteran, or retired member of any service branch.

B) Be planning to enroll in a program of study at an accredited college or university in the Fall of 2024.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/16831/air-force-association-scholarships

2) Nurse Corps Scholarship Program - $10,000 - 225 Awards (Deadline: May 2, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be accepted or enrolled at an accredited school of nursing located in the United States.

B) Plan on pursuing one of the following types of nursing programs: Diploma in Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nurse practitioner, or a Graduate level advanced registered nurse.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/15267/nurse-corps-scholarship-program

3) SEE Education Foundation Scholarships - $5,000 - 15 Awards (Deadline: May 6, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be pursuing a technical, undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate in a field related to the commercial explosives industry.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/20884/see-education-foundation-scholarships

4) #ScienceSaves Video Scholarship - $10,000 - 10 Awards (Deadline: May 6, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a graduating high school senior planning to be a full-time student in the Fall of 2024.

B) Create a video answering the question “What has science done for me?” or “What has science done for somebody I know?”.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/20795/sciencesaves-video-scholarship

7) There’s Space for Everyone Scholarship - $3,000 – 8 Awards (Deadline: May 31, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be an incoming undergraduate enrolled in an accredited college or university during the fall 2024 semester.

B) Be a legal resident of the United States.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/18585/there-s-space-for-everyone-scholarship

6) Curt Greene Memorial Scholarship - $2,500 - 1 Award (Deadline: June 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be at least a high school senior and have GPA of 2.5 or higher.

B) Have keen interest in any facet of harness racing.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/12653/curt-greene-memorial-scholarship

7) American Indian Medical Scholarship Program - $3,000 - 12 Awards (Deadline: June 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be in the last semester of high school or be a high school graduate.

B) Be enrolled in a health care or health education program.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/24483/american-indian-medical-scholarship-program

8) Ted & Holly Rollins Scholarship - $5,000 – 1 Award (Deadline: June 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a graduating high school senior planning to be a full-time student in the Fall of 2024.

B) Write a compelling story regarding your life story, intended field of study, career and how you will make an impact on the world.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/28302/ted-holly-rollins-scholarship

9) How I Make My Community Great Scholarship - $2,500 - 1 Award (Deadline: June 15, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be enrolled in or admitted to an accredited college or university.

B) Have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/23405/how-i-make-my-community-great-scholarship

10) Doctors Network Heroes Scholarship - $2,000 - 12 Awards (Deadline: June 15, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a senior high school student planning on attending college right after high school or a student currently in an accredited four-year, two-year, nursing, dental, or medical school in the United States.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/24620/doctors-network-heroes-scholarship

11) William Griggs Memorial Scholarship - $2,500 - 1 Award (Deadline: June 20, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a female high school senior or undergraduate student pursuing a two or four-year degree program.

B) Be planning on pursing a degree in science or mathematics.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/23785/william-griggs-memorial-scholarship-for-science-and-math

12) ABC Humane Wildlife Scholarship - $1,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: July 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a woman who is studying or planning to study science, engineering, mathematics, or technology.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/13725/abc-humane-wildlife-scholarship

13) Robert S. Simmons Christian Studies Scholarship - $1,000 - 2 Awards (Deadline: July 1, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be enrolled in or accepted to attend a Christian college or university for undergraduate studies in the fall of the scholarship year.

B) Be a participant in volunteer or community work.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/15071/robert-s-simmons-christian-studies-scholarship

14) Avnet Law National Scholarship - $1,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: July 15, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or graduate program within the United States.

B) Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/24070/avnet-law-national-scholarship

15) State Troopers Scholarship Programs - $1,500 - 6 Awards (Deadline: July 31, 2024)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

A) Be a dependent of a member of the American Association of State Troopers.

B) Be planning to enroll in a program of study at an accredited college or university in the Fall of 2024.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/9136/state-troopers-scholarship-programs

Registration for Rosie's Girls is now OPEN!! Empower your camper’s summer by registering them for Vermont Works for Women's Rosie's Girls camp today. This year we have more camp spots open than ever before, meaning more opportunities for youth to explore the skilled trades and STEAM fields. Explore the exciting range of activities we have in store for middle school girls and gender non-conforming youth entering grades 6-8 this summer on our website

April

• Regular Decision admissions letters begin to arrive.

• Discuss the financial aid package provided by each school with your family. If you haven’t received financial aid packages by early April call to make sure all necessary materials arrived.

• Attend admitted students’ weekends at college campuses.

• Use April break for any additional campus visits.

• If you are on a waitlist set up a meeting with your counselor to discuss options.

• Celebrate with family and friends!

• Send in the acceptance notice to your chosen school. Make sure to send in your deposit.

• Decline offers of admission from remaining colleges.

May

• May 1: Deadline for notifying colleges of your decision.

• AP Exams are administered. Be sure to send the AP Grade Report to your college.

• Send thank-you notes to your teachers, coaches, TA, and anyone else who helped you on the way.

• Fill out housing-preference forms, and check out any special living centers.

• Wait-listed students can expect more information about their status after May 1.

• Complete Graduation Survey on Family Connection

June

• If you plan to compete in Division I or Division II college sports, have your transcript sent to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. More information is available at ncaaclearinghouse.net.

• June 14: Graduation…. Congratulations!

• June 30: Final deadline to submit FAFSA.

Interested in knowing more about the U-32 Booster Club?

Email Melissa at u32boosterclub@gmail.com