Laney AIG Update

Laney: Tuesday & Friday

NHHS: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday

Canvas is not working in the way I need it to for sharing information. Therefore, the newsletter will be emailed to families AND STUDENTS on Mondays moving forward.

There is a TON in this week's newsletter. Don't forget to scroll down so you don't miss specific volunteer and grade-based opportunities and resources specifically for you!

We are now accepting submissions for the 2026 Contest!

Use this form to submit your artwork.

Submissions will be accepted through November 13, 2026.

CFPUA's annual Value of Water Art Contest lets local students share what water means to them through original artworks! Winning artworks are featured in a calendar available for free at CFPUA's Customer Service Centers.The contest is open to K-12 students attending school or living in New Hanover County. CFPUA begins accepting submissions each fall.

Winners of the contest will be featured in a 2027 calendar. Each winner will receive 3 copies of the calendar, a winner's certificate, and a swag bag.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience where students develop their skills as leaders while having fun and making connections. The program is organized by your local New Hanover County Rotary clubs and the Rotary District of SE North Carolina. You must be able to attend the 1/2 day conference on Saturday, Dec. 5 at UNCW. Please do not apply if you are not available. (No cost.)

RYLA participants connect with leaders from the community and around the world to:
• Build communication and problem-solving skills
• Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in your school or community
• Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors
• Unlock your potential to turn motivation into action
• Have fun and form everlasting relationships

How am I selected for RYLA?
Each year, high school juniors from local high schools in New Hanover County will be selected to participate in a local RYLA conference at UNCW. Elements considered:

• Your academic performance. You should be an above average student with good study habits but not necessarily a straight-A student or one seeking academic scholarships.
• Your self-awareness. You should have a positive attitude and exhibit confidence with a willingness to meet others and debate current issues.
• Your ambitions after high school. You may want a vocational career from a community college or apprentice program or a professional career through a university or graduate school.
• Your social engagement. You may have a job while attending school, be active in a team sport or in a community organization outside school.

We can send 10 juniors to this event. To apply, complete the RYLA application and email it to Ms. Mauk. Applications due by Nov. 6 at NOON. Please reach out to reagan.mauk@nhcs.net with questions.

Note: As the sponsoring organization, Rotary supports all students, including those who have had life experiences such as racial discrimination, sexual harassment, parental divorce, homelessness, disabilities, or recent immigration to the United States.

On Wednesday Nov. 4, the NC School of Science & Math (NCSSM) will be here at 2:30pm in the media center to give information about their programs.

• Summer programming is available for 10th & 11th graders.
• The residential high school program is for students who want to live and attend high school at one of the NCSSM campuses during their junior and senior years.
• There are also NCSSM Connect courses available to 9-12 students as well as the NCSSM Online program that works much like dual enrollment.

9-11th graders are encouraged to attend to get more information. Please complete this RSVP if you are interested in attending the info session.

Fall 2026 Weekend Workshops registration is open!

The Design Lab is excited to offer five in-person Weekend Workshops this fall. Each workshop will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm with lunch at noon. See the weekend workshop schedule below. Students can register any time between October and one week in advance of each workshop, and students can register for as many weekend workshops as they are interested in.

Workshops will introduce students to design thinking and the design process through challenge-based activities. Through these workshops, students will have the opportunity to develop a better understanding of our designed world and find answer to these questions: What is design? How do designers think?

November 14 // Architecture

Join our newsletter to stay-up-to-date on program offerings.

Please send questions to designlab_k12@ncsu.edu. Thanks!

Click below for more details and to register!

The 2026-27 Coolidge Scholarship application is now live.

A quick refresher: the Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that recipients may use for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2027 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply (current high school seniors are not eligible to apply). Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major.

Academic excellence is the primary criterion considered by the Coolidge Scholarship. Secondary criteria include an interest in public policy and an appreciation of the values President Coolidge championed. Successful candidates will also demonstrate humility and have a record of genuine service to their communities. A complete description of the scholarship’s criteria is available here.

The competition for the Coolidge Scholarship is significant -- only a few new Coolidge Scholarships are awarded each year from a pool of candidates that spans the entire country. Even so, students have reported to us in past years they were glad to have applied even if they didn’t win, because the experience helped prepare them for college applications later on. Furthermore, the Coolidge Foundation invites one hundred of the top Coolidge Scholarship applicants to participate in the Coolidge Senators Program, which includes an all-expenses-paid summit gathering and a $1,000 scholarship. Scholarship applicants are automatically considered for the Senators Program.

We hope you will share this opportunity with outstanding high school juniors you know. The scholarship application, along with additional information, can be accessed on our scholarship site: coolidgescholars.org.

The submission deadline is 5:00 PM Pacific time, Wednesday, December 1, 2026. Questions? We can be reached by email at coolidgescholars@coolidgefund.org

Who? Grades 9-11

What is it? The Carson Scholarship fund gives 500 scholarships a year to students in grades 4-11. More information at carsonscholars.org

Scholarship Amount? $1000 (payable upon entrance to a 4 yr college/university)

Do you qualify? You must have a weighted GPA of 3.75 (only counting English, Math, Science & Social Studies classes)

Each school can nominate 1 student for consideration.

How do I apply? Submit the following:

1. Resume focusing on community service - Here are the notes from the Carson Scholars Fund about their expectations for community service: Carson Community Service

2. Essay responding to one of these two prompts for grades 9-11: (200 word draft for nomination purposes - the final application will require 650-750 words)

• Many works of art, music, literature, scientific discoveries, and innovations can shape the way we view ourselves and the world around us. Write an essay about one such work or idea that had a meaningful impact on your thinking and discuss how it influenced your outlook.

• “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky. Tell a story about a time you took a shot at something. In your story, include how this experience impacted your life (positively or negatively) and share what came out of the experience.

Deadline Nov. 13th to be considered for our nomination. Upload your nomination materials HERE.

The HOBY Leadership Seminar is a 3-day leadership program for current Sophomores held each June in Raleigh at NCSU. HOBY Ambassadors have an opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills, learn about their personal leadership styles, and form an appreciation for community service. They attend panel sessions featuring prominent speakers from our government, businesses, media, and educational communities. They participate in leadership development workshops and activities. HOBY Ambassadors also participate in a community service project and learn how they can lead in service in their own communities. As a result of their experiences, the high school Ambassadors return to their schools and communities eager to make a difference and share what they have learned. The North Carolina HOBY Leadership Seminar will take place over a weekend in June 2027, and one to two 10th graders from your high school will be selected to attend. To learn more, visit www.hoby.org.

One key item to highlight: NOMINEES DO NOT HAVE TO GET THE BEST GRADES ALL THE TIME. There is no GPA requirement for this nomination or event, so if you'd like to apply but don't have the best grades, that's ok!

Download the application FIRST, save as First.Last Name HOBY 2627. Deadline: November 13th.

Students interested in government, public policy, and gaining firsthand experience on Capitol Hill can visit his website for more information and to apply.

APPLY BELOW

The North Carolina Azalea Festival Scholarship Pageant awards over $18,000 in college scholarships annually to high school junior contestants from the greater Wilmington area (including Wilmington, Brunswick, and Topsail).

• Top Award: The winner receives the Beverly Anne Jurgensen Scholarship Award (named after the festival's first female president and longtime leader) and the title of Azalea Festival Princess.
• Total Scholarships: Over $18,000 total distributed among participants, featuring a Top 9 and Top 5 Princess Court.
• Scoring & Competition: Judged based on a private interview with judges, an evening gown competition, and an on-stage presentation, plus an online People's Choice award.
• Preparation: Contestants train for roughly two months prior to the event in public speaking, interviewing, and presentation skills.
• Eligibility: Open exclusively to high school junior girls from area high schools.

Registration is open for the 80th NC Azalea Festival Princess Scholarship Pageant. It will remain open through 15 Nov. This year’s event is occurring earlier in January on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027. Therefore, registration is starting sooner.

Phases of competition include the following:

• Private interview

• Evening Gown

• Stage presentation (impromptu stage questions)

A one-stop shop, NCTC College Day is the only event that connects North Carolina students with college theatre programs from across the state. Students in grades 9–12, graduates taking a gap year, and transfer students — along with their parents — can visit the College Fair to meet 20+ theatre departments, all in one place, in one day. You may audition for college representatives, present your portfolio, or choose to do both. You can also attend the College Fair without auditioning or presenting a portfolio. Any way you choose to attend, you’ll have the chance to connect with the #1 school on your list and discover new programs you hadn’t considered!

The Ronald Reagan Debate Series is back, and the 2027 competition season is officially open. This is a wonderful moment to encourage the high school students in your life to step up, speak out, and grow into confident communicators.

Each year, students in grades 9-12 compete for their share of $50,000 in scholarship awards. But the rewards go far beyond the prize. Our debate emulates the presidential debates of old, where great ideas meet great character. Students learn to lead with civility, personality, humor, and storytelling: skills that serve them in the classroom, in college interviews, and long into their careers.

THIS YEAR'S TOPIC: 2027 regional invitational challenges students to wrestle with a timely question:

Resolved: The primary responsibility for disaster preparedness and response in the United States should rest with state and local governments rather than the federal government.

It's a topic that rewards research, critical thinking, and clear argument, and it invites students to consider the real balance of responsibility in our nation.

WHERE STUDENTS CAN COMPETE

Regional invitationals are being scheduled across the country. Here are the first two on the calendar, along with our online competition that welcomes students from anywhere:

• Irvine, CA—November 14 at Concordia University

• Richmond, VA—February 20 at Collegiate School

• Online—June 5 held virtually, so distance is no obstacle

More locations and registration links are available on our website. Find a Location Near You

PREPARE WITH THE EXPERTS

Want to help your students get ready? Join our free Q&A sessions with Debate Program National Finalists. These interactive conversations offer insights into our presidential style of debate and practical preparation techniques straight from those who have competed and won. Students can ask questions and connect directly with alumni and the Reagan Education Team.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming sessions:

• November 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM CT

• February 8, 2027 at 5:30 PM CT

• April 5, 2027 at 5:30 PM CT

REMINDER: Gov School Nominee applications due OCT. 23

2026 Congressional App Challenge, providing middle and high school students across North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District an opportunity to put their creativity to work. This competition encourages students to create their own apps, showcase programming and computer science skills, and gain valuable experience as they become the next generation of STEM leaders.

The App Challenge winner will have the opportunity to have their app displayed in the U.S. Capitol, featured on the U.S. House of Representatives website, and will be invited to attend the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill reception in Washington, DC.

Eligibility Requirements:

Students must be enrolled in middle or high school and either live or attend school in North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District. Students can use the district lookup tool to confirm their eligibility.

Students may participate individually or as part of a team of up to four students. For team submissions, at least half of the team members must be eligible to participate in the district where the app is submitted.

Students must register online and submit their apps before October 26, 2026.

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.

All juniors have access to a self-paced, test prep resource called Methodize. Click the button below for access instructions.

$5,000 scholarship opportunity provided by New Hanover County ABC Board for graduating high school seniors (Class of 2027) residing in New Hanover County. The award may be applied toward university, community college, vocational/trade school or similar. Award funds are unrestricted, meaning recipients can apply funds to any purpose allowed by the attending institution.

The application window will open on October 1, 2026 and close on January 17, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. To apply, students must write a research essay on the dangers of underage drinking and carry out a plan to educate their peers. The application does not request academic or extracurricular information.

Lauren Iammatteo from the New Hanover County ABC Board will be hosting a virtual information session Oct. 20 on Zoom, open to students, parents/guardians, teachers, counselors or other professionals working with youth. Registration links, award information, scholarship portal information, and contact information can be found at this link:

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.

Eaton is having their annual Fall Festival on October 30th and would love if any Laney students who need Beta or NHS hours would want to volunteer

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.

FB of CENC Kitchen offers volunteer opportunities 5 days a week, including Wed & Thur sessions!

Kitchen Schedule Monday–Friday

• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
• 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

Looking for volunteers to help fill our Wednesday & Thursday sessions!

FB of CENC Market is currently looking for volunteers to help fill these weekly sessions:

• Thursdays: 9:45 AM–1:15 PM
• Fridays: 12:45 PM–4:15 PM

POP-UP MARKET DATES & LOCATIONS

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

8:30 AM–11:30 AM
945 NC Hwy 241, Pink Hill, NC 28572

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

8:30 AM–11:30 AM
811 N College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

8:30 AM–11:30 AM
27 Old Town Creek Rd NE, Leland, NC 28451

Want to volunteer at one of our Pop-Up Markets? You can register online here:

• Oct. 23 - Governor's School applications submitted for school nomination
• Oct. 26 - Congressional App Challenge
• Oct. 28 - NYT Tiny Memoir Contest
• Oct. 29 - STEM Flight Crew
• Oct. 30 - NCSSM Ethics & Leadership Conference
• Oct. 31 - Teen Art Contest for the Cape Fear Fandom Faire (Ages 13-18)
• Oct. 31 - Voice of Democracy Essay Contest (9-12)
• Nov. 5 deadline - 2027 Regeneron Science Talent Search (12th)
• Dec. 1 - Congressional Essay Contest
• Dec.18-Springboard to Design Summer Program (9-12)
• ongoing - AIG Mentor Program

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