Laney AIG Update

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STUDENTS! Remember that you can scroll to the bottom and click SUBSCRIBE to be added to the Monday mailing list to receive the newsletter in your email inbox.

One of Laney's AIG freshmen, Dean Richards, has earned an impressive recognition and prize. Dean entered the NC Idea Challenge, a NC competition advertised in our AIG newsletter and open to students and educators in grades 5-12. Dean's entry has been recognized, and he won $1,000! The NC Idea Challenge asks one thing: what’s your idea to help your community? Students are asked to submit a 1–2 minute video answering it. If it clears the bar, it wins. Dean won for his idea to "Adopt a Team" - connecting local businesses with underfunded high school sports programs through sponsorship. Here are some of the judges' comments on his submission:

Judge 1

What stood out: This is a viable / feasible and historical proven model that has worked in the past in various communities. It will be great to see you modernize the model.

Judge 2

What stood out: Great job identifying a communal opportunity to solve a funding gap in public education.

Dean has the opportunity to continue developing his idea with a networking opportunity provided through NC Idea Challenge and qualify for up to $10,000 in funding to turn his idea into a reality. I am incredibly proud of Dean's initiative to enter and thoughtfulness for how to best serve our Laney and NHCS community. Please join me in congratulating him!

When: Wednesday, October 7

Time: 6:00-7:00 PM EST | 3:00-4:00 PM PST

Where: Live on Zoom

What does it take to start a STEM career? Are all career paths linear?

During their next career chat on October 7, teens will have a chance to participate in a conversation lead by STEM Next Flight Crew member Madeline with professionals working in tech and learn more about the internships, mentors and jobs they've had to get where they are today.

This event will be recorded and shared with all registrants, so you are welcome to register and participate as a group live or view it after the event.

NHC LIBRARY - Calling all teen artists! Cape Fear Fandom Faire is looking for artwork to help bring this amazing annual event to life in 2027. One talented teen’s design will be selected for use in all the Faire’s official publicity!

The contest is open to teens ages 13–18 who live in or attend school in New Hanover County. Artwork inspired by any fandom is welcome.

Entries accepted October 1–31. Submit your artwork and show us what you’ve got!

Entry Form

For More Details and Contest Rules

2027 Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS).

Every year, thousands of high school seniors submit their original research to the nation’s oldest youth STEM competition in the hopes of being named a future leader in science—and winning the top award of $250,000.

You know great science when you see it, so here's a program overview and a few of the highlights:

• The online application is open until November 5, 2026 at 8pm ET. It consists of essays, short answer questions, recommendations and more, including an original research paper.

• Prizes are awarded at multiple levels. 300 students receive $2,000 each, and so do their schools. That’s funding for more science research in your community. 40 finalists receive a minimum of $25,000 and an all-expenses-paid finals week competition in Washington, DC.

• This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our holistic review process cares about the whole student, and every student can benefit from applying—from honing writing and research skills to making lifelong connections, to seeing hard work recognized on a national stage.

Applications are now open for one of the nation's most unique theatre design programs.

July 11th-17th
Current high school students, tuition free!
Go beyond the audience. Spend a week in New York City learning from leading theatre designers, visiting professional studios, seeing Broadway productions, and creating alongside passionate students from across the country, all completely free! Can’t make it to New York? Virtual Fellowship applications are also open.

APPLY NOW

Voice of Democracy Essay Contest: Scholarship worth $35,000

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. The complete list of other national scholarships range up to $21,000, with the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) winning a scholarship of at least $1,000.

VFW Department (state) first place winners also receive a trip to participate in Founding Forward’s Spirit of America Youth Leadership experience at Valley Forge which is an inspiring four-day program where students experience mock congressional debates, participate in a free enterprise challenge, visit historical sites and engage in interactive educational activities. This immersive experience allows students to develop their critical thinking and leadership skills while understanding their responsibilities as citizens. The trip, awarded to every VFW Department (state) winner, is made possible through the generous support of Twisted X.

Students interested in participating must submit their audio essay prepared on this year's theme, with a completed entry form to their local participating VFW Post. Download the 2026-2027 entry form, then find your sponsoring local VFW Post as essays must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.

The Global Medical Academy gives high school students the opportunity to gain 30+ hours of hands-on medical experience working alongside healthcare professionals and supporting communities with limited access to healthcare in Panama, Belize, or Greece.

Students gain experience with:

• Patient intake and triage

• Patient consultations while shadowing doctors

• Pharmacy operations

• Community health education

Programs are fully supervised and all-inclusive, with time to experience the local culture and explore the country with other high school students from across the U.S.

If you're interested in learning more about the Global Medical Academy, please fill out this short interest form, and we'll send you more information.

Global Brigades also offers Business and Impact Academy programs for high school students. Fill out the above form and specify your program of interest to learn more.

Juniors and seniors are welcome to participate in the consolidated college fair at CFCC on Oct 22. If they want to go during school hours, they must return the permission slip. A registration form was sent to you in your email. You must complete it with your school Outlook email. Permission slips will be distributed once you've completed the registration form. The trip will be limited to 80 students.

LOCATION: Cape Fear Community College - Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center

610 North Front Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

11th- and 12th-grade students will be transported by bus, only if the permission slip is turned in.

• 10:15 A.M. - Laney/Ashley

• 5:30-7:30 P.M. - Open to the Public

All NC high school juniors take the ACT in the spring of their 11th grade year. This year our students will take the ACT the week of March 8, 2027. Students are automatically registered for this test and it is given at their high school. Students who wish to take the ACT multiple times may register and pay for additional local ACT testing dates here. The SAT is not given in NHC schools. If you would like to take the SAT, you will have to do so on your own time. Register and pay for the SAT at this website on your own.

There are free test prep resources for both the ACT and SAT below.

Not sure if your student should take the SAT or ACT — or where they need to focus their prep? We are excited to offer a free diagnostic that cuts through the guesswork and gives you a clear picture of exactly where your student stands.

Please fill out the form below to indicate your target test date, test prep history, score goals, and so forth. A Student Success Manager will follow up with you to provide access to the test prep diagnostic.

SAT/ACT Diagnostic Form Sign Up

These are downloadable practice packets.

ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN BY OCTOBER 10TH

Financial aid expert Luanne Lee and Road2College founder Debbie Schwartz walk you through the 2027-28 FAFSA screen by screen, from creating your FSA IDs to finding your Student Aid Index. They also cover what's new this year, including the random identity verification check, the parent wizard, and the new federal Parent PLUS loan caps, plus the asset reporting mistakes that can cost families aid. The session wraps up with a live Q&A on topics like small businesses, grandparent 529s, trusts, and divorced parents.

Watch the FAFSA Walkthrough

Here are the three reminders that came up again and again:

Early admission deadlines are almost here: Some early admission deadlines start October 15, and November 1 is one of the biggest deadline of the year.

550 word essay: outlines your academic and professional goals, describing your personal experiences will help you achieve those goals.

Deadline November 15th https://www.mensafoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships/

Western on Tour – Wilmington
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. | Program begins around 6:00 p.m.
Hotel Ballast Wilmington
301 N. Water Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Students can register at ontour.wcu.edu. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Seniors have been invited to join the Scholarship Canvas this year. All scholarship info and community and school-based applications will be available through this Canvas. STUDENTS can use the button below to join. You must log into NC EdCloud to join/access.

Each month on the 2nd Saturday, CFRW conducts a community clean-up somewhere in the local Cape Fear area. Clean-ups are almost always from 9am-11am. Anyone can sign-up to join the clean-up event. CFRW staff provide gloves, trash/recycle bags, and grabbers for volunteers. Check the calendar each month as locations are usually TBD until about a week before. You should register to attend so they will have enough supplies. Click on the event in the CFRW calendar to register.

• Oct. 26 - Congressional App Challenge
• Oct. 28 - NYT Tiny Memoir Contest
• Oct. 29 - STEM Flight Crew
• Dec. 1 - Congressional Essay Contest

Email: reagan.mauk@nhcs.net
AIG Website: https://sites.google.com/nhcs.net/laney-nhhs-aig/home-1
Office: 214
Phone: 910-251-6100