Welcome to the BVA SR Newsletter

Believe in the promise of tomorrow, but live this day to the fullest

LINK TO Mrs. Wardle's IMPORTANT SENIOR PHOENIX RISING NEWSLETTER. CLICK HERE

Important information and dates like Senior pictures, Senior check out, Senior Awards, Graduation, Regala orders etc are located inside

Graduation Ceremony, Venue, and Dress Code

Graduation

Ceremony&Venue

Wednesday June 3rd

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Students must be there by 2:15)

Pacific Lutheran University - Olson Auditorium

Pacific Lutheran University: 12180 Park Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98447

Getting to Pacific Lutheran University

Take Pacific Avenue north from Spanaway
Turn west on 125th St. S.
Turn north onto S Yakima Ave
Turn west onto 124th St. S
Olson Auditorium will be on the right
Several free parking lots with ADA access are in the nearby area

Graduation Day

Students - Arrive at PLU by 2:15 pm
Parking is plentiful, close and free!
Proceed to Olson Auditorium

Students gather in the Field House prior to the ceremony
Family and friends enter the Auditorium (no tickets needed)

Professional photos will be taken during the ceremony for families to purchase. Picture purchasing information will be included in each graduate's diploma packet.

Venue Restrictions

Only clear bags or small clutch/purses/wallets will be allowed inside the venue
Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”

Balloons, large signs and air horns will not be allowed
Only trained service animals wearing vests will be allowed - no other pets or animals allowed

Graduation Ceremony Dress Code

Only students who have fulfilled all graduation requirements will be allowed to participate

Only APPROVED decorations allowed on mortarboard caps - if your design was not pre-approved you will be forced to purchase a new mortarboard at the ceremony.

All graduates must have a cap, black gown, tassel and stole

Caps, gowns and stoles need to be ordered through Jostens
If you need help in purchasing a cap and gown from Jostens please let us know

Dress expectations for ladies:

Dress, skirt, or dress pants and dress shirt
Shoes - short heels or flats recommended. You must be able to walk a distance and climb stairs
No flip flops

Dress expectations for gentlemen:

Dress shirt and tie -- or -- shirt with a collar look best
Dark trousers or khakis and dark shoes
No (old) athletic shoes or flip flops

Dress expectations for nonbinary students:

Please dress as you feel comfortable within these guidelines above

LIVE STREAM of Graduation Ceremony

If you have family and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony, they can watch the livestream instead. After the ceremony the link will lead to a recording of it.

https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/graduation-livestreams

Diploma Pick-up will be after Graduation at PLU on June 3rd

Immediately following the Graduation Ceremony

Graduates receive an empty diploma cover at the ceremony. Please bring your diploma cover and an ID to pick up your diploma after the ceremony.

Graduates not participating in the ceremony may pick up their diplomas starting on June 4 at BVA from 8:00-2:00.

Counseling, Website, Transcripts, Rank/GPA

BVA Counseling Website - BVA Counseling Website

Social Emotional Supports, College & Career Planning Information/Tools, Scholarships, Graduation Requirements, and more!

Transcripts - SchooLinks

Unofficial & Official transcripts are ordered via SchooLinks
The BVA registrar sends them

Class Rank & GPA

Email Mrs. Wardle for class rank and class size information
GPA can be found in StudentVue on the Course History Tab

SAT/ACT - SAT Website or ACT Website BVA CEEB Code: 480147

See Post-Secondary Entrance Exams Lesson
National college entrance exams

The Senior Slideshow is currently only available to BVA Seniors to edit using their BSD account. It will be presented at end of year.

Event Information

BETHEL SD GRAD WALKS

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XT7nEg8XW5hdajT0f-Qt1XHR8VRbtITc/view?usp=sharing

When?

Friday, Jun 5, 2026, 12:30 PM

Where?

ALL BSD Elementary Schools

Event Information

PROM 2026 - Hosted by GK

May 18th Prom tickets go on sale, BUT you must complete these forms FIRST.

Fill outTHIS GOOGLE FORM if you want to go BY MAY 28 BEFORE buying tickets.

Fill out this form if you need a GUEST PASS FORM and have it signed at BVA by Principal by MAY 28th.

When?

Saturday, Jun 6, 2026, 07:00 PM

Where?

Foss Waterway Maritime Museum

location_on Open maps

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer for Centennial Elementary

Centennial is preparing to host a 4–6 week parent training series and is seeking 4–6 responsible high school students to help supervise childcare during the sessions.

We are hoping to begin after spring break and the sessions will take place once a week from 5:30–7:30 PM (dates are TBD) This is a great opportunity for students to earn volunteer hours while supporting families in our school community.

If interested please email Katie Keenan at Centennial Elementary School

kkeenan@bethelsd.org

Scholarship Opportunities and Resources

Staying Local for College - Here 's the apps.

Post-High School Application Announcement

Seniors—now is the time to take the next step toward your future! If you are planning to attend a local community college or technical school, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. They start registering students for fall start in mid May! Don't let the courses you want fill up! Below are direct links to get started with each school’s application:

Bates Technical College
Apply here: https://www.batestech.edu/apply
Clover Park Technical College
Apply here: https://www.cptc.edu/apply
Pierce College

Apply here: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/apply After May 1, 2026 a 30.00 fee will be charged to apply.

Tacoma Community College
Apply here: https://www.tacomacc.edu/admissions/apply

Applying is free and only takes a short amount of time! If you need support with your application, please visit the College & Career Center—we are here to help every step of the way.

Don’t wait—secure your spot and start planning for your future today!

Pierce College Scholarship Application.

Pierce First Scholarship Application.

The Pierce First Scholarship is awarded to one high school senior at each high school in our service districtLinks to an external site.. This scholarship aims to help low-income students pay for tuition, fees, and books for one academic year at Pierce College.

The eligible student can receive up to $2,000 each term for their first academic year at Pierce College (fall, winter, and spring). The award amount per term is based on the number of credits you’re enrolled in: half-time students (6-8 credits) receive $1,000, three quarter time students (9-11 credits) receive $1,500, and full time students (12 or more credits) receive $2,000.

Who is Eligible

Must be a high school senior at a high school in our service districtLinks to an external site.
Must be a Washington resident
Must show income eligibility through the FAFSALinks to an external site. or WASFALinks to an external site.
Must have an application on file with Pierce CollegeLinks to an external site. and a ctcLink student ID number
Must be planning to attend Pierce College in the fall after graduating high school
Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)Links to an external site. to continue receiving the scholarship money each term
Must complete the Pierce First Scholarship application.
Running Start students are eligible to apply

See attached application. Submit all materials by April 20th for consideration.

FREE summer camps for Washington high school students. DID I MENTION FREE?!?!

FREE summer camps for Washington high school students for both WSU and UW campus, sponsored by the Washington Department of Transportation. Housing and dinning are provided for free, with STEM activities. To apply for this amazing and FREE opportunity please complete the application online at https://watransportation.camp/

Washington CPA Foundation Scholarships

They have awarded over $650,000 in scholarships to accounting students attending an accredited college or university in the state of Washington for the 2025-2026 school year. Explore scholarship opportunities for the 2026-2027 school year now!

Not sure what scholarships you qualify for?
Check out our scholarship pathways flowchart!

Watch the virtual scholarship open house!
January 23, 2026 - All Scholarships (Watch the Recording Here)
March 23, 2026 - $2K Associate Scholarship

Washington CPA Foundation

The awarded over $650,000 in scholarships to accounting students attending an accredited college or university in the state of Washington for the 2025-2026 school year. Explore scholarship opportunities for the 2026-2027 school year now!

Not sure what scholarships you qualify for?
Check out our scholarship pathways flowchart!

Watch the virtual scholarship open house!
January 23, 2026 - All Scholarships (Watch the Recording Here)
March 23, 2026 - $2K Associate Scholarship

Harvard's SAT TRAINING PROGRAM

Following the successful completion of our first SAT Instinct cohort — which brought together an exclusive group of 20 high-performing students from over 9 countries — we are excited to announce the launch of Cohort 2 of the SAT Instinct Program. The inaugural cohort demonstrated significant improvement in test strategy, confidence, and error reduction, validating the program’s unique focus on decision-making and trap identification rather than rote content practice. Building on this success, we are now opening a limited number of seats for the second cohort and would be delighted to extend this exclusive SAT preparation program with your students.

A high-impact initiative designed to strengthen test performance through strategic decision-making training, delivered by current Harvard student mentors.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why This Program Is Different:

While most SAT programs focus primarily on content review, many students lose valuable points due to predictable psychological traps built into the exam.

With AI tools now supporting content practice, the real advantage lies in helping students:
• recognize trap answers
• make smarter decisions under time pressure
• apply strategic thinking during the test

These are the exact skills top scorers consistently use — and what this program explicitly teaches.

About the SAT Instinct Program:

This is a structured 10-week live online training program focused on:
✓ 11 SAT trap types
✓ decision protocols used by 1500+ scorers
✓ timed practice & guided error analysis
✓ test-day mindset and strategy

Students develop automatic instincts for identifying misleading options and managing pressure effectively.

Program Overview: Flyer

Target Group: Grades 9–12
Format: Live virtual sessions (Zoom)
Duration: 10 sessions (15+ hours)
Mentors: Current Harvard students with 1500+ SAT scores
Curriculum: Trap identification, decision frameworks, practice & feedback
Certification: Certificate of Completion from Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR)
Program Dates: May 3 – July 5, 2026
Schedule: Saturdays, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST

Cost: $850 per student

Application Deadline: 30th March 2026

Value for Your Students & School

✓ Exposure to global Harvard student mentor
✓ Focus on critical thinking and exam strategy
✓ Personalized trap-vulnerability profile for each student
✓ Small-group mentoring model
✓ Supports college readiness and competitive admissions

Our Harvard student mentor (who have scored up to 1590) have already helped 100+ students improve their SAT performance by eliminating avoidable errors.

Program Website: https://satinstinct.com/
Student Application: https://satinstinct.com/apply

Attached File

SAT Instinct - Flyer.pdf - 2.23 MB https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://bethelsd.instructure.com/courses/57734/files/22477474/download___.YXAzOmJldGhlbHNkOmE6ZzozNDAxNjcxNWY3Mzc4NTc3NDg5MGRjYzRkZTk5ZmM5Mjo3Ojc1OTM6ODk0ZjA0NjExOWY3ZTU1YTM4MmZhN2E0NWFkODUwOWIyMWJjNGIxOTQxNGQ2NjcyYjIzODRkMjMzNzc1OTc4Nzp0OlQ6Tg

TwinStar Community Foundation Scholarships

The TwinStar Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Peak Credit Union, awards 48 scholarships ranging between $2,000-$3,500 to members of Peak Credit Union who plan on attending an institution of higher learning in Fall 2026. To Apply or for more information, visit peakcu.org/foundation/scholarships or contact Amanda Stevens, (360) 923 - 4427 or (800) 258 - 3115 ext. 4427. Scholarship is open from February 1st, until March 15th.

Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Forever Fund Scholarship

Salmon Defense announces the Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Forever Fund Scholarship, honoring the legacy of tribal treaty rights leader Billy Frank Jr. and supporting the next generation of Native leaders.

Two $5,000 awards will be given—one to a male student and one to a female student. This need-based scholarship assists undergraduate and graduate students pursuing knowledge and careers that sustain salmon resources and Native lifeways.

The scholarship reflects Billy Frank Jr.'s lifelong commitment to protecting tribal treaty rights and salmon populations. As chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for over 30 years, Billy Frank Jr. was instrumental in the civil disobedience movement that led to the landmark 1974 Boldt Decision, which reaffirmed tribal fishing rights.

For application details and eligibility requirements, visit salmondefense.org or contact: pfrank@salmondefense.org

Announcing the Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Forever Fund Scholarship – 2026 - Salmon Defense

BEST Scholarships

BEST Scholarships are local scholarships that come from our community. Some are memorial scholarships, others are scholarships from local businesses, and still others come from many community members' contributions. We are very fortunate to have such strong community support.

To apply for BEST Scholarships, you can click on the link below. BEST is the local chapter of Dollars for Scholars, which is affiliated with Scholarship America. Students can work on this profile at any time and add to it as they gain experiences. Clicking on "My Scholarships" will show a list of scholarships the student has matched to, some could be through Scholarship America or even Fastweb. BEST Scholarships will not show up on their scholarship list until March, and due dates are usually right after Spring Break. In order to be considered for each scholarship that appears on the list, students will need to click "apply" next to each one. Simply filling out the profile does not complete the application process for specific scholarships, so this is an important step! Please make sure your profile is as complete as possible before applying for specific scholarships, as you will not be able to edit your profile for those scholarships after you have applied.

BEST Scholarship

The Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (WASWD) Scholarship Fund

The Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (WASWD) is pleased to offer scholarships to individuals interested in pursuing a career in the industry represented by our membership. WASWD offers a college scholarship, and a utility operator scholarship for high school graduates or others who seek technical training for operator positions.

The WASWD Scholarship Fund is dedicated to Walt Canter, a long-term Commissioner of the Cedar River Water and Sewer District (1969-2017). He is considered a legend in the Sewer and Water industry in the State of Washington.

Eligibility Requirements:

All Applicants:

Applicants must be Washington State Resident

OR Employee, Elected Official or Family Member of a WASWD Member

College Scholarship Applicants Additional Minimum Requirements:

Full or Part-time student
Attendance at an accredited college, university, or technical school
Pursuit of a degree; Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate

Pursuit of a degree in management or technical training in water or wastewater industry

Apply Here

In 2025 a total of four Scholarships were granted, totaling $8,000.

Scholarship funds are designated solely for tuition, textbooks, laboratory fees, and other direct
educational expenses. Tuition payments are remitted directly to the educational institution.

When filling out the application, complete the appropriate portions of the application that applies to your academic goals.

Sea Mar Scholarships

Sea Mar recognizes and acknowledges the barriers children of farm working families face in their pursuit of a college degree. Economic strains, as well as the language and cultural barriers can often affect these students. Sometimes students need to work after-school and all summer to assist their family. Sea Mar is proud to provide annual scholarships to help make college a reality.

Award amount: $1,000.

You can access this scholarship here www.seamar.org/scholarships.

The Sea Mar Latino/a Educational Achievement Project Scholarship provides financial support for students who demonstrate a history of advocacy, responsibility, accountability, perseverance, are go-getters, and have shown or have the strong potential to be contributors to their community.

Award amount: $2,500

You can access this scholarship here: www.seamar.org/scholarships.

Senior Career Center and Scholarship Resource Canvas Class

GK has a Senior Career Center and Scholarship Resource Canvas Class that our BVA Seniors have been invited to participate in. You can self enroll in the class using the link below to receive additional senior resources, updates, links, scholarship, and event notification and invites.

Self enroll using this link: https://bethelsd.instructure.com/enroll/C64WF7

Josten's Grad Regalia Ordering

Jostens cap and gown ordering

If you need a cap and gown for graduation contact them directly to have one for you at graduation: mortonroffice@jostens.com or text us at 253-437-1755.

A special message from Jostens! Your provider for celebrating moments that matter!

No need to wait here is the direct link to your schools ordering site, click on the image below or go directly to this link:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/3009294/Bethel-Virtual-Academy/Jacket/1824111002/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/BVA-Varsity-Jacket/2520758954?rc=98

Financial Aid Updates

Seniors, Fill out your FAFSA/WASFA

Class of 2026 seniors still have time to complete their financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA) for the 2026–27 school year. FAFSA or WASFA is the first step to getting money for college or career training. This money can help pay for tuition, books, supplies, and living costs.

Do you qualify for financial aid? You might!

About half of Washington families qualify for financial aid. The Washington College Grant (WA Grant) is one of the most generous programs in the country. It is NOT a loan. For example, in 2025-26, if a family of four makes:

$78,500 or less, college or career training could be free!
Up to $131,000, a student could get some money for college or training.

Estimate your award

Join us for more Washington State Financial Aid events here! Questions? Contact us at collegebound@wsac.wa.gov.

Thank you for supporting seniors and helping families take this important step!

Sincerely,

The College Access Initiatives team

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Welcome to the BVA SR Newsletter