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College, Career, & Counseling News

May 19, 2026

College, Career, &Counseling News May 19, 2026

Upcoming Activities and Events Upcoming Activities and Events

  • Thursday, May 21 - Guest Speaker in Health & Wellness 1 classes (see letter below)
  • Friday, May 22 - Academic Awards Grades 9-11
  • Friday, May 22 - Raider Games
  • Tuesday, May 26 - Exams for Grades 9 - 11 - periods 4/5 - 9
  • Wednesday, May 27 - Last Day of School for Students (Early Release)
  • Wednesday, May 27 - Exams for Grades 9 - 11 - periods 1 - 3
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The Class of 2026
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Congratulations Class of 2026! Congratulations Class of 2026!

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Seniors at LCCC

Members of the Class of 2026 visited LCCC on April 22, to meet with advisors, create schedules, receive their LCCC student ID, and accept their scholarships.

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College & Counseling College & Counseling

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Seniors:

  • Congratulations Class of 2026!
  • Transcripts will be sent to colleges once LCCC grades have been received. Please see the email from Miss Neff regarding transcripts.


ALL PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-11 WILL RECEIVE AN UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT IN THE MAIL IN EARLY JUNE. THIS TRANSCRIPT WILL SHOW GRADUATION SEALS EARNED, TEST SCORES, AND ALL CLASSES TAKEN WITH GRADES & CREDITS EARNED FOR EACH.


Juniors:

  • SAT results are in. If you didn't receive a link from College Board, please see Miss Neff.

Sophomores:

  • EOC scores are in.
  • If you have any questions about LCJVS, please see Miss Neff
  • LCJVS decison letters have been mailed home. See Miss Neff with questions.

Freshmen:

  • EOC scores are in.

CCP Students

  • Please see Miss Neff if you need to make an adjustment to your summer or fall class schedule.
  • LCCC first session summer classes begin May 26.
  • If you have not met with Miss Neff to schedule Summer and/or Fall classes, please make an appointment.


College Now of Greater Cleveland

  • Provides college & financial aid counseling to students and parents
  • At CHS on select Thursdays & Fridays

Catholic Charities:

  • In-School Therapy Services are available through Catholic Charities
  • Please contact Miss Neff for more information

Celebrating Mrs. Hechko's Retirement

After 38 years of dedicated service to Columbia Local Schools and 26 years in the guidance office, Mrs. Kathy Hechko is retiring from her role as guidance secretary at Columbia High School. Throughout her years in the district, Kathy has been a welcoming face, a calming presence, and a trusted support for countless students, families, and staff members. Her kindness, organization, and commitment to helping others have left a lasting impact on our school community.


Mrs. Hechko’s dedication extended far beyond her daily responsibilities. She consistently went above and beyond to support students through important milestones, assist families during challenging times, and help keep the counseling office running smoothly each day. Her warm smile and caring heart made everyone who entered the office feel valued and supported. In addition, we will also miss Pebbles, Mrs. Hechko's therapy dog. Pebbles is a comfort to many students and staff on daily basis.


As she begins this well-deserved next chapter, we thank Mrs. Hechko for nearly four decades of service, compassion, and commitment to Columbia Local Schools. She will be deeply missed, and we wish her many years of happiness, relaxation, and new adventures in retirement. Although, we do expect visits from Mrs. Hechko and Pebbles!

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Find Scholarships for College Students in 2026-2027

Find Scholarships for College Students in 2026-2027

Apply to exclusive scholarships and grants in minutes. At Bold.org you may search from a list of scholarships for college students, high school students, graduate students, adult learners, and more. Updated daily!

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2026 College Scholarships | Application Deadlines for Students

2026 College Scholarships | Application Deadlines for Students

2026 Scholarships - College and High School Students may be interested in the following list of scholarships that have upcoming deadlines.

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Making the Most of Summer College Visits

Summer is one of the best times for students and families to begin exploring colleges and universities. With fewer school and extracurricular commitments, students can take advantage of the opportunity to visit campuses, learn about academic programs, and begin thinking seriously about life after high school.


College visits help students get a feel for a campus beyond what they see online. Walking through classrooms, residence halls, dining areas, and student centers can help students picture themselves as part of the campus community. Visits also provide a chance to ask questions about majors, admissions requirements, financial aid, student life, and support services.


When planning college visits, students should consider exploring a variety of schools — large and small campuses, public and private institutions, and schools both close to home and farther away. Keeping an open mind can help students discover opportunities they may not have previously considered.


Tips for a Successful College Visit:

  • Schedule an official campus tour when possible
  • Prepare questions ahead of time
  • Take notes and pictures to help compare schools later
  • Explore the surrounding community
  • Talk with current students about their experiences


Students who are unable to travel can still take advantage of many colleges’ virtual tours and online information sessions.


Summer visits can make the college search process feel more exciting, manageable, and meaningful. The School Counseling Office encourages students in grades 9–11 to use this time to explore future possibilities and begin building a college list that matches their interests and goals.

If you have questions about planning college visits or the college search process, please contact Miss Neff or Mr. Marino.

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🌿 Mindful Minute: Finishing Strong

As the school year comes to a close, emotions can run high—excitement, stress, pride, and even uncertainty about what’s next. Take a moment each day to pause, breathe deeply, and recognize something you accomplished this year, no matter how small. Ending the year with gratitude and self-reflection can help build confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset for the summer ahead.

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Career Career

Grafton Correctional Institution

Students in Ms. Scali’s Street Law class had an eye-opening visit to Grafton Correctional Institution to learn about careers in corrections and gain a better understanding of prison operations. During the visit, students toured areas such as the dining hall, recreation hall, living units, and education building. They also had the opportunity to hear directly from incarcerated individuals about their experiences and what daily life is like inside the facility. In addition, students learned about the many career pathways available through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Sorry...no pictures were allowed!
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Pulte Construction - Del Webb Hickory Greens

We ended the year with a behind-the-scenes look at the brand-new Del Webb Hickory Greens community. Students met with Pulte Construction to explore what it takes to bring a new home community to life - from planning and building processes to the important role of construction management. It was a great opportunity for students to learn about careers in the construction field while seeing firsthand how a neighborhood is built from the ground up.
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Southwest General Health Center Shadow and Volunteer Opportunities

Everything you need to know about volunteering or career experiences at Southwest General Hospitals!

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Southwest General Health Center Shadow and Volunteer Opportunities
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Students....Are you concerned about your future? Do you want to learn more about yourself? Or, learn more about a particular career? Schedule time time to meet with Mr. Marino!

15 Minute Meeting w/ Mr. Marino - Matthew Marino

15 Minute Meeting w/ Mr. Marino - Matthew Marino

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All students can take advantage of resources, opportunities, and schedule time to meet with me via the Career Ready website below!

CAREER READY

CAREER READY

Overview We only get one life. Every student deserves to be prepared to live it with purpose. At Columbia, career readiness means more than landing a job after graduation. It’s about helping students become adaptable, confident, and compassionate individuals who can thrive in work and in

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Lorain County JVS Corner

Please see information below for Lorain County JVS!

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Lorain County JVS High School

Lorain County JVS High School

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CONGRATS TO ALL SENIORS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THEIR JVS PROGRAMS!

Meet Our Team Meet Our Team

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Kathy Hechko

Administrative Assistant

khechko@clsdraiders.org

440-236-5003

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Matt Marino

Career Readiness Coordinator

mmarino@clsdraiders.org

216-452-9720

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Suzie Neff

School Counselor

sneff@clsdraiders.org

440-236-5003

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Pebbles & Stella

Therapy Dogs

IG: chs_raiders_counseling

Outside Providers at CHS

Elizabeth Hall

In-School Therapist

Catholic Charities

Elizabeth.Hall@ccdocle.org


Jamie Vega Hamilton

College & Financial Aid Advisor

College Now of Greater Cleveland

jvegahamilton@collegenowgc.org

schedule online

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