WHS Counseling News Hub

Hello Longhorns! Greetings from the WHS Counseling Department!

For those new to West High, we would like to introduce you to our weekly newsletter, the News Hub. With the volume of emails that most of us receive on a daily basis, our goal is to send you weekly updates with helpful information on College Prep, Events, Testing, Mental Health, Job Posts and other supportive, relevant updates that are current, concise, and quick to navigate. Information is organized by bold headers so you can quickly identify pertinent information.

Welcome back, and Go Longhorns!

Senior Parent Meeting Event Recap

For those senior parents/guardians and students who were unable to attend the Senior Parent Night event on Wednesday, click HERE to access the slideshow. If you have any questions about the information, please contact Mr. Lorenz

St. Louis County Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYA) Accelerator

Interested in a career in Advanced Manufacturing? The Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYA) program is a high-impact partnership between Parkway Schools and the U.S. Department of Labor designed to jump-start student careers through immersive, real-world learning. This program bridges the gap between traditional classroom instruction and professional excellence, specifically focusing on the high-demand field of Advanced Manufacturing.

Why Join RYA?

• Earn While You Learn: Students receive a paid hourly wage for on-the-job training with industry partners.

• Professional Credentials: Upon successful completion, participants earn a federally recognized Department of Labor credential that sets them apart in the workforce.

• Industry Mentorship: Gain hands-on experience under the guidance of professionals at top regional companies such as Jost Chemical, Hydromat Inc., and Beckwood Press.

• Career Advancement: The program prepares learners for successful, long-term careers by combining technical skill-building with foundational "soft skill" training.

Program Structure & Requirements

The RYA journey begins with a semester-long "Accelerator" process. This structured sequence includes foundational employability training, organized manufacturing tours, and a "Selection Day" where students interview directly with multiple employers. Once hired, student apprentices work toward completing 2,000 hours of on-the-job training to master industry-defined competencies.

To apply for our Fall Cohort, please complete this initial application by September 4th. You will then complete an in-person interview with Mrs. Perkins at your home school site.

A series of College & Career Events have been created throughout the school year to enhance your experiential learning about post-secondary pathways. Depending on your grade level, you have the opportunity to sign-up for many of these events most of which are offered during the school day. You can view the full calendar HERE.

All scheduled rep visits can be found on the College Visits Page HERE. Below are the upcoming visits for the next two weeks. All visits will meet in the College & Career Center in Counseling unless otherwise stated. Click HERE for instructions on how to sign-up to meet with visit college representatives. Remember to sign up by 7:00 am the day of the visit in order to receive your pass to leave class.

University of Missouri-Columbia (MO) | 9/10 @ 8:00 am

Boston University (MA) | 9/10 @ 9:30 am

Missouri State University-Main Campus (MO) | 9/10 @ 11:45 am

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (IL) | 9/10 @ 1:15 pm

George Washington University (DC) | 9/11 @ 8:00 am

Academy Day

Saturday, Sept. 12th | 9:30 am @ Jefferson College Field House, 1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro 63050

Missouri students of all ages, parents, and educators are welcome to meet admissions representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at WestPoint, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy, ROTC representatives will also attend. To register, send an email to AcademyDay2026@email.senate.gov. Include your name, address, mobile number, home school, and year of graduation. Fore more information, call Senator Schmitt's office at 573-514-8680.

Click HERE for the flyer

HBCU Summit - STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkeley High School

Saturday, Sept. 12th | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

The St. Louis HBCU Alumni Association presents the 9th annual scholarship summit. The purpose of the scholarship summit is to educate and equip St. Louis metropolitan high school students and their families with the knowledge and resources to obtain scholarships to attend an HBCU. The summit will consist of educational workshops for both students and parents, a lunchtime rally with prizes, an HBCU Experience panel, and a community fair with vendors, HBCU representatives, and alumni.

Click HERE to register

National Portfolio Day - WashU's Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, 1 Wrighton Way

Sunday, Sept. 20th | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Students who are be interested in studying art, architecture, or design after high school, are invited to attend this free event.

• Meet with representatives from 18 accredited colleges and universities and get valuable feedback on their portfolios. Sam Fox School representatives will be available to give helpful tips on the application process and speak with students about the art, architecture, and design programs at WashU.
• Attend special presentations on careers in art and on financial aid.
• Explore the WashU campus and learn more about the amazing spaces in the Sam Fox School, including our studios, digital fabrication lab, printmaking and book studio, and Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.

Parkway Financial Aid Night - Parkway Central High School Commons

Tuesday, Sept. 22nd | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

The presentation will offer a brief overview of the scholarship and aid process, as well as specific information about filing the FAFSA. Families will walk away from this presentation prepared to file the FAFSA when it opens on October 1 and continue in the aid process.

Midwest Future Teacher Summit - Lindenwood University

Monday, October 5, 2026 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am

SAVE THE DATE for this first annual future teacher summit will allow aspiring teachers from across the region to visit one university while also connecting with representatives from multiple area educator preparation programs. More details to come at a later date.

Elks National Foundation Scholarship - Most Valuable Student (MVS) Contest

Application Deadline: November 12, 2026

The 2027 MVS application is now open! Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. The Elks National Foundation (ENF) awards 500 four-year scholarships based on academics, leadership, and financial need. National awards range from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year. The national awards will be announced in April 2027.

Click HERE for more details and the application

Application Opens: September 1, 2026

Application Deadline: February 1, 2027

Legacy Awards provide $6,000 scholarships for children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elk members. The ENF offers a total of 400 national awards.

Click HERE for more details and the application link

YWCA Metro St. Louis Leader Lunch 46 Future Leader Award

Application Deadline: October 4, 2026

Applications are now open for the Leader Lunch 46 Future Leader Award, which recognizes an outstanding female high school senior in the St. Louis Metro area who demonstrates leadership and a commitment to creating positive change in her school or community.

The selected student will:

• Receive a $1,500 scholarship to support her educational goals.

• Be honored at Leader Lunch 46 on Friday, December 3, 2026, alongside some of the region’s most influential women leaders.

South Tech Preview Night

Wednesday, October 21st | 5:00 - 7:00 pm

All students interested in applying to Tech are strongly encouraged to attend and learn more about our school, programs, and the opportunities we offer. You can apply when applications open (mid-September) or after preview night if you are still undecided on which program you want.

About South Tech:

At South Tech, we provide students with real-world experiences, real-world skills, and engaging, hands-on learning to prepare them for college and careers. We celebrate the pursuit of their passion and help them find the right pathway to their own success. Our partial-day schedules keep students engaged in their home high school academics and activities while they enjoy experimental learning in Tech's elective courses. Our tuition-free, career and technical education (CTE) majors allow students to explore their career interests before graduation while earning industry certifications, college and high school credits, and skills that will last a lifetime. We work with an impressive list of business and industry partners that provide our students with mentorship, internships, apprenticeships, part-time employment, scholarships, and full-time employment offers after high school. Our students are in demand.

Click HERE for the website

Click HERE to view the South Tech Video

Click here to view the South Tech Video

6th Grade Camp Counselor

October 6th - 9th (Red Team)

October 27th - 30th (Blue Team)

If you are in need of A+ Hours, you can earn 50 hours in 4 days. If you like being a leader, this is the easiest and most fun way to knock out your volunteering. Spots fill up fast so apply now.

Click HERE for the flyer and to apply

Marcy's Project is having an End of Season Event this Friday and Saturday only! They are making room for the next season, which means it’s a GREAT time to shop Marcy’s Boutique! For just $10, you can purchase semi-formal wear and homecoming dresses. Every purchase helps Marcy’s Project continue supporting individuals and families throughout our community.

Click HERE for the flyer

Now hiring part-time team members at the Chesterfield location. Offering flexible evening and weekend hours and potential earnings up to $25 per hour.

Click HERE for the flyer

Comprehensive Counselors

Erin Gerber (Last names A - Em)
314-415-7519
egerber1@parkwayschools.net
click HERE to make an appointment

Jennifer Wibbenmeyer (Last names En - La)
314-415-7517
jwibbenmeyer@parkwayschools.net
click HERE to make an appointment

Jennifer Skalski (Last names Le - Ro)
314-415-7512
jskalski@parkwayschools.net
click HERE to make an appointment

Jennifer Spotanski (Last names Ru - Z)
314-415-7523
jspotanski@parkwayschools.net
click HERE to make an appointment

College & Career Counselor

Chris Lorenz
314-415-7521
clorenz1@parkwayschools.net
click HERE to make an appointment

Support Staff

Cindy Devine – Counseling Administrative Assistant
cdevine@parkwayschools.net

Lauren Rowe – College Administrative Assistant
lrowe1@parkwayschools.net