Hoggard High School AIG Update
March 23, 2026
Crudeli's Schedule This Week
Opportunities and Information
Please make sure to scroll through the entire newsletter. While some of the info is the same, new opportunities are added every week.
Purple Up Volunteer Opportunity
American Legion Post #10 “Purple Up” Event is to honor Veterans and their families. Multiple volunteer shifts to choose from on both Friday April 24th to set up and Saturday April 25th to work the event.
4/24: hall decoration beginning at 6pm
4/25: entire event is noon to 6pm; volunteers can work the entire thing or there are 2 shorter shifts from 12-3pm and 3-6pm.
Contact McKinley Boston to volunteer at mckinley.boston@student.nhcs.net. McKinley will send you a Google Form to complete to sign up for volunteer shifts.
APRIL 24 (9-12) - 2025 Congressional Art Competition
David Rouzer's office is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. All students who attend high school in the Seventh Congressional District are encouraged to participate. The winning artist's work will be showcased for one year in the halls of the U.S. Capitol along with other winning entries from every Congressional District across the country.
The winning artist’s work will be displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway leading to the U.S. Capitol. In addition, the first-place winner will receive airfare for two to Washington, D.C. where they can view their artwork, connect with other winners from across the country, and participate in a celebratory reception honoring their achievement.
Guidelines and regulations to participate in the competition as well as the student release form can be found here. Use this tool to determine if students reside within North Carolina's 7th Congressional District.
All artwork and signed student release forms must be submitted in person to one of Congressman Rouzer's District Office locations no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, April 24, 2026. Congressional Art Competition Coordinator, Lisa Myers, at (910) 253-6111 or Melissa.Myers@mail.house.gov
JUNE 10 (11th & 12th) - The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Summer Program
The purpose of the North Carolina American Legion Student Trooper Program is to create an association between our young people and the men and women who are responsible for enforcing the laws of our State. The Student Trooper Program will be conducted at the North Carolina Highway Patrol Training Center, Raleigh, and is a cooperative sponsorship of The NC American Legion and The NC Highway Patrol.
Cadets will participate in a wide variety of instructional sessions. They will learn the use of police skills, including drug detection, firearms safety, and precision driving, just to name a few. Instructors from the NC Highway Patrol and other phases of Law Enforcement and related subjects will be integrated into the week's program.
Due to rigorous training involved in the program, those who may require special medication or handicapped accommodations cannot be accepted. A completed medical form must be submitted with the application fee. Students are advised to begin a physical conditioning program before arriving at the training center.
Deadline: June 10 (when the 5 slots are filled, no more applications will be accepted)
Applicants: Students who have successfully completed their junior or senior year
Dates: June 21-26, 2026
Fee: $200 paid by the sponsoring AL Post
American Legion Student Trooper Program Application
Sponsoring Post:
American Legion Post #10
702 Pine Grove Drive
Wilmington, NC 28409
American Legion Contact for AL Post#10 is David Everette. Contact him at navydeepseadiver81@gmail.com if you have questions.
APRIL 15 (10-12) - The Shelton Challenge
The Shelton Challenge is a six-day residential leadership experience at NC State to help students expand their knowledge and skills of what it takes to be an effective leader. Offered to rising 10th-grade to graduated seniors (those heading into freshman year of college) with a 3.0+ unweighted GPA, hands-on activities focus on: personal leadership assessment and interpersonal dynamics, the role of values and ethics in leadership, leadership traits and approaches, empowering others, civic and social responsibility and goal setting. In addition to these aptitudes, students also engage in team-building activities like low- and high-ropes courses, rock climbing walls, service projects, and social activities in the evenings. April 15 is the registration deadline.
Attendance options:
Week 1: June 14-19
Week 2: June 27-July 2
Week 3: July 12-17
The cost to attend the Shelton Challenge six-day residential program is $925. This cost includes all curriculum materials, lodging and food, low and high ropes training, transportation during the week, and night activities. Financial aid scholarships are available to applicants.
https://sheltonleadership.ncsu.edu/shelton-challenge-programs/
Open Letters: New York Times Opinion-Writing Contest (April 8)
Students are invited to write public-facing letters to people or groups about issues that matter to them. Contest dates: Feb. 25 to April 8, 2026
FREE GoPhysics! Workshop for 11th & 12th graders
Perimeter Institute is pleased to offer our virtual GoPhysics! Workshop for senior high school students on July 7 and 8, 2026. For full details and to complete the application form, please visit: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/outreach/students/gophysics-online-workshops
GoPhysics! Gravity & Black Holes is a student workshop designed for Grade 11 and 12 students. During the workshop, we'll tackle some big questions: What is gravity? How is Einstein different than Newton? How do black holes, some of the most mysterious objects in our universe, fit into this discussion? Join other students to explore exciting physics topics through online group activities and discussions.
Date Jul 7 & 8
Time Choose either: 11am - 12:30pm ET or 7pm - 8:30pm ET on both days
The second day has an optional Researcher Q&A session from 1 - 1:30pm ET or 9 - 9:30pm ET
Scholarships & Senior Info
The Leadership/Scholarship Google Classroom contains opportunities for students in all grades. Some are contests, leadership seminars, volunteer opportunities, and scholarships. The AIG coordinators are constantly adding and updating information here. Join using the button/code so you are aware of opportunities as they become available.
Summer Opportunities
Some links may be outdated but this gives you an idea of where to begin in planning summer experiences.
Volunteer Opportunities
Miracle League of Wilmington
The spring season schedule and volunteer sign up is available if you would be willing to participate. We welcome volunteers of all ages and just ask that anyone under the age of 14 have an adult accompany them.
The Miracle League of Wilmington is an accessible baseball league filled with joy, dancing and home runs for children and adults living with disabilities; Ages 3+. Currently, the Miracle League of Wilmington serves over 150+ All Stars through three types of teams: Tee Ball, Classic, and Competitive.
All games and practices are played at the Miracle Field located at 5510 Olsen Park Lane in Wilmington, NC. The specialized 33,000 square foot field is made of a flat, rubberized surface that is barrier free for all Miracle League All Stars!
For a full description of volunteer needs click here.
Volunteer sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084BACAC29A4FF2-61280984-volunteer#/
Previously Featured
The previously featured opportunities listed above can be found by looking in the archives!
I try not to post things for more than 2 weeks:
- March 27 - NC Youth Institute
- April 10 - Girls Who Code
- April 10 - NC State Design Camp (9-12) early bird registration
- APRIL 15 - (JUNIORS) The U.S. Military Academy at West Point Summer Leader Experience
- April 16 - America's Field Trip
- April 25 - US Service Academy Info Forum
- April 30 - Shoot Like a Girl
- May 1 (or until full) - JUNIORS Cameron Impact Scholarship
- No Deadline: Schools Meals for All Student Ambassador Program
- Deadlines vary by program: NC State Pre-College Programs
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. 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. The remaining meetings for this school year are planned for:
March 16, 2026
April 20, 2026
All meetings are from 6:00-7:00pm at the Board of Education Building
meetings are not streamed or recorded
If you aren't sure you can make the meetings but would like to receive information from the Gifted Advisory Council, please sign up below.
Jennifer Crudeli - Gifted Education Specialist
Email: Jennifer.Crudeli@nhcs.net
https://sites.google.com/nhcs.net/crudeliaig/home
Ashly Office: 405
Hoggard Office: 104B