November 2026 ESP Newsletter

High School

Ninth graders: Attend a required meeting November 10 or 12 during seminar in Room 709. Sign up through StudentConnect.

Seniors: Early applications are due November 1. Check requirements and request transcripts through Naviance. If you're applying after November 1, no problem! You will just find out a bit later if you were accepted.

Room 709: Tuesdays are for senior applications. Thursdays are open study, except November 12.

After-school help: Mondays, 2:30–3:30 p.m., in Room 709.

College visits during seminar:

• Nov. 5: Madonna
• Nov. 17: Eastern Michigan
• Nov. 19: Michigan State
• Nov. 24: Schoolcraft
• Dec. 10: Northern Michigan
• Dec. 15: Lake Superior State
• Dec. 17: Grand Valley State

Middle School

Homework Clinic: Mondays and Thursdays, 3:10–4:10 p.m., in Room 5E, beginning November 2. A late bus is available. No clinic November 23.

Student Google accounts: Home login directions

Parent-Teacher Conferences: November 23, 3:30–8:30 p.m. Principal Jackson will send signup information.

Academic progress: We began reviewing grades and teacher feedback for Eagle Scholars. Students and families are being contacted when academic, attendance or behavior concerns require follow-up.

College applications: Seniors used Tuesday seminars, lunch meetings and individual appointments throughout October to work on applications and essays before early deadlines. Many seniors have already been accepted to several colleges!

MSU visit: Eagle Scholars juniors visited Michigan State University on October 21. Students toured campus, learned about academic opportunities and completed a reflection afterward.

Program outreach: Families learned about Eagle Scholars requirements during Thurston’s October 28 Parent Night. Ms. Wilson also shared updated program guidelines with staff and began the recommendation process for next year’s Eagle Scholars.

What are you doing now?

I am currently at Michigan State University majoring in Apparel and Textile Design (B.A.) with a Business minor and on the D1 Rowing Team.

How did Eagle Scholars help prepare you for life after Thurston?
I feel like Eagle Scholars helped me prepare for the work load of college and keeping the mentality of staying on top of my work.

What’s a favorite memory from your time in the program?
My favorite memory of ESP was going to all of the different colleges and universities and seeing the difference between small and large campuses.

What has surprised you most about college, work, or life after high school?
What surprised me the most about college was the amount of people here and all the connections that I’ve made here. Just talking to random people can get you opportunities you would’ve never thought you’d get. For example, a woman came up to me at my on campus job and she has connections to the upcoming Olympics event that I’m interested in and she’s going to put in a word for me.

What advice would you give current Eagle Scholars?
My advice for current Eagle Scholars is to do well on your AP exams so that you can get college credit and that you don’t need to fully set in stone what your major is when you get here. I came in with a few college credits because of AP exams and I’m on track to graduate early! I also changed my major my first semester because I wasn’t quite vibing with it. However since I changed, I’m in love with my major and future career.

What’s something you’re proud of—or excited about next?
I’m excited to work at the 2028 LA Olympics and to start my design internships with whatever company offers me a spot!