Laney High School AIG Update
January 6, 2025
Opportunities of all kinds!
Application Deadline is January 26
Use the button below to join the Google Classroom if you haven't already and you'll be set to apply.
Course change requests will be accepted until January 24. The only course change requests that will be accepted are those for missing graduation requirements, duplicate classes, or course level adjustments. Once classes begin, no elective change requests will be granted unless there are extenuating circumstances. You will be advised of your course change via email and you must remain in your assigned class until the course change is made.
If you have more than one change, please complete one request per change.
Boys State Interview Date options will be:
January 29th, 6:00pm, American Legion Post 10
February 19th, 6:00pm, American Legion Post 10
March 19th, 6:00pm, American Legion Post 10
April 16th, 6:00pm, American Legion Post 10
Bank of America Student Leaders Program (11th & 12th): Deadline Jan. 15th
The Student Leaders Program is an 8-week paid summer internship that provides local youth tangible work experience and insights into the important work of nonprofits in our communities. This year we will select 2 New Hanover County students and place them in a summer internship with a local non-profit. Interns will also receive a week-long all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. for our Student Leaders Summit – a conference designed for all of our Bank of America Student Leaders, across the franchise, that focuses on leadership and civic responsibilities. Applicants must be either in the 11th or 12th grade to apply and must be current New Hanover residents. The ideal student should be interested in civics, leadership and/or non-profit work. The application window is open through January 15th. This internship is highly competitive and offers $17 an hour.
Register for the online info session January 7 @ 7:00pm.
Interested applicants can apply for the program by going to: www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders
Welcome to the Civics Challenge! deadline Jan. 10
Do you know a budding cinematographer, author, or songwriter? The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy is proud to invite middle and high school students to use their creativity in the annual Civics Challenge. Students can earn $500 and help their peers learn more about civics through videos, essays, and original songs!
Finalists in two categories, middle school (6th-8th grade) and high school (9th-12th grade), will be awarded a total of $5,000 in prizes. The 6th annual Civics Challenge entry deadline is Friday, January 10th, 2025.
C-SPAN’s StudentCam Documentary Competition: Deadline January 20,2025
Grades 6-12
StudentCam is C-SPAN's annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation.
In this presidential election year, we're asking students in grades 6-12 to create a short (5-6 minute) video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, "Your Message to the President."
The submission deadline for all entries is Inauguration Day on Monday, January 20, 2025.
C-SPAN awards cash prizes totaling $100,000 to the student filmmakers of the top 150 student documentaries.
Information HERE
Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship (9-12) - deadline Jan. 30
Scholarship Value: $1,000
Awards Available: 1
Award Deadline: Jan 30, 2025
Young people spend an average of 7.5 hours a day consuming media--and this doesn't include computer use for schoolwork--according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. With technology always at the ready at your fingertips, it can be a challenge to unplug. But taking a break from technology is healthy for both the mind and body. The purpose of this scholarship is to help you understand the negative effects of too much screen time.
Who may apply: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Deadline: January 30, 2025
How to apply: Complete the application form including a 140-character message about technology addiction. The top 10 applications will be selected as finalists. The finalists will be asked to write a full-length 500- to 1,000-word essay about technology addiction.
How we'll select the winner: We'll select the 10 finalists based on the content of the 140-character message. The winner will be selected based on the content and creativity of the 500- to 1,000-word essay.
Mathworks Math Modeling Challenge - deadline Feb. 21, 2025
Mathworks Math Modeling Challenge Juniors and Seniors $5000-$20000 scholarships as a team award for winning teams
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge is an entirely internet-based math modeling competition with no registration or participation fees. Schools in the U.S., England, and Wales are eligible to enter in teams of three to five students. Over $1.95 million has been awarded through 2024.
Registration Deadline: February 21, 2025
Challenge weekend: February 28 to March 3, 2025
STOSSEL Essay contest (5-12): Deadline March 21, 2025
STOSSEL holds an essay contest every year to give students an opportunity to express themselves and win great prizes. This year, we’re giving away over $12,000—and we have prizes for teachers, too!
We have four topics to choose from, so students and teachers can find the subject that fits them best.
Our contest is open to students in grades 5-12, age 10-18, residing in North America, Hawaii, or at a U.S. military address. The deadline to submit is 11:59PM Eastern on Friday, March 21, 2025. Students may submit their essays to us directly, or have them submitted by a teacher or parent.
Winners will be announced on May 30, 2025.
For topics and complete rules, see the website: https://stosselintheclassroom.org/essay-contest/
O'Connor Institute Ambassadors ONLINE Civics & Debate Club - March 29, 2025 Registration Deadline
O'Connor Institute Ambassadors ONLINE Civics & Debate Club - March 29, 2025 Registration Dealine
Want to impress colleges, sharpen your leadership talents, connect with other driven students from around the country, enhance your civics knowledge and civil discourse skills, and debate the most important civics topics facing our communities and nation?
Look no further: The O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club is for you.
Compete for a $5,000 college scholarship (See Below)
Hone your speech and debate skills
Deepen your understanding of civics and how American government works
Get involved and make a difference in your community
Engage in online civics-related discussion and debate students from across the country
Earn a cord for graduation
And . . . it’s online and totally free!
NC State Design Camp: Registration opens January 29th
High School Explorations Residential Camp
Rising 10th, 11th and 12th Grade
JUNE 22 – 28, 2025
An exploratory residential program covering the range of studio disciplines offered at the College of Design: Architecture, Graphic and Experience Design, Industrial Design and Media Arts, Design and Technology. Residential camp projects require more time in the studio, making the daily schedule much like that of an actual College of Design student. Students also participate in evening activities aimed at strengthening their critical creative thinking, deepening their understanding of the design fields, and preparing them for college level study.
Ideal for: This camp is perfect for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students interested in exploring all of the undergraduate studio based majors offered at the College of Design, and experiencing what residential life is like for College of Design students.
Cost: $1500 (includes housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 4:1
Seats Total: 120
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here (Please note this is a sample schedule. Final schedules will be sent to registrants in May.)
Registrations after April 11 will incur a $50 late fee.
Design Immersions Residential Program
Rising 11th and 12th Grade
JUNE 17, JULY 13 – 19, 2025
An immersive, pre-college program introducing students to fundamentals of design through the creation of a week-long design project in a studio environment. Prior to camp, students will attend an online summer orientation, on June 17, to gain access to online Design Fundamentals videos and activities, and have the chance to rank their choice of studio projects to complete. During residential week, students will complete one studio project, aiming for portfolio quality work, and participate in critical and creative thinking activities preparing them for college level study in design.
Ideal for: This program is perfect for rising 11th and 12th grade students interested in aiming to complete a portfolio quality project, and experiencing what residential life is like for College of Design students.
Cost: $1550 (includes online prep modules, housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance)
Student-Staff Ratio: 4:1
Seats Total: 100
Sample Program Schedule: Click Here (Please note this is a sample schedule. Final schedules will be sent to registrants in May.)
Registrations after April 11 will incur a $50 late fee.
College Info / New Scholarships for Seniors
Equitable Excellence Scholarship® Program (12) - due Jan. 13
Equitable Foundation has established the Equitable Excellence Scholarship® Program program to assist high school seniors and current undergraduates who are planning to continue their education at a two- or four-year college in the United States by Fall 2025.
Applicants to the Equitable Excellence Scholarship® Program Scholarship Program must:
- Be current high school seniors and current undergraduates in one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico who plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two-or four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year.
- Demonstrate ambition and self-drive to be a force for good in your community by encouraging others to pursue higher education.
- Be willing to provide a release to publicize their identities and information about their achievements along with photographs for use in program promotion and information.
- Have a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Laney FAFSA Info/Completion Session
FAFSA Information Session
Thursday, Jan 23, 2025, 05:00 PM
Emsley A. Laney High School Media Center
Volunteer/Leadership Opportunities
Cape Fear River Watch - 2nd Saturday Clean-Up
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.
Gifted Advisory Council
The GAC is an independent council of families, community members, business leaders, and NHCS staff who meet monthly to support and advocate for the NHCS AIG Program. The GAC is part of the community partnership standard in the 2022-2025 AIG Plan. The council provides perspectives, information, and independent initiatives that are not shared through regular NHCS AIG communications.
Future GAC meeting dates:
Jan. 13, 2025
Feb. 17
March 17
April 7
May 19
All meetings are from 6:00-7:00pm at the Spencer Board Room at 1805 S. 15th Street
Please use the link below to join the GAC's mailing list for newsletters and other information for how to support your student and their school's AIG program.
Previously Featured Competitions/Contests
Information about these opportunities was provided in previous newsletters. Check the archive to get more details and links to registration/applications.
- Youth Legislative Assembly - Jan. 13
- NCSA Visual Arts Program Applications for 2025-26 Academic Year - deadline Jan. 15
- JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest (9-12) - deadline Jan. 17
- NC Aviation Art Contest - deadline Jan. 17
- Azalea Youth Art Contest - Jan. 28
- Broad Horizons Scholarship (11) - Jan. 31
- ExploraVision Awards (10-12) - Jan. 31
Scholarship Website
Reagan Mauk
Email: reagan.mauk@nhcs.net
NHHS Office: 509
Laney Office: 401 in media center


