Hoggard High School AIG Update

12/8-12/11 Mon-Thurs: Ashley

12/12- Friday: Hoggard

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Appointments with Crudeli

Please make sure to scroll through the entire newsletter. While some of the info is the same, new opportunities are added every week.

Here is a short slide deck with some information on reading/using your Pre-ACT score report.

Students and families are invited to receive information about the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

It is a public, residential high school in North Carolina that focuses on advanced education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for academically gifted students. NCSSM provides rigorous coursework, research opportunities, and enrichment programs designed to prepare students for college and careers in STEM fields.

Date: 12/16/25

Location: Spencer Building (1802 South 15th Street, Wilmington, NC)

Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Presenters: NCSSM Rep

Audience: Middle and High School Students and Parents

Project Uplift will be held in-person for summer 2026. Join us at UNC-Chapel Hill for a day full of exploration of our campus, advice for applying to college, and opportunities to get to know other talented rising high school seniors and current UNC students. The dates for Project Uplift 2026 are as follows:

• Session 1: Saturday, May 30

• Session 2: Saturday, June 6

• Session 3: Saturday, June 13

Applications to attend Project Uplift 2026 open January 7, 2026.

Project Uplift and Uplift PLUS Virtual Information Sessions

Current high school juniors, parents/guardians, and guidance counselors are invited to attend one of two virtual information sessions to learn more about the Project Uplift and Uplift PLUS programs at UNC-Chapel Hill. The information sessions will be hosted on Zoom and led by staff from the CHEOP office. You can join a session by clicking on the corresponding link below:

• Wednesday, December 17th 2025, at 6:00pm – Zoom Link

• Wednesday, January 28th 2026, at 5:00pm – Zoom Link

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!

Apply Today

Summer Immersion Program (9th - 12th grade)

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program empowers high school students to clarify their goals through real-world experiences, engaging academic exploration, an inclusive campus culture and personalized mentorship. Students discover their passions and build confidence to achieve their future pathways.

Learn More

Online Immersion Program (Students ages 13+)

Designed for students ages 13 and up, the Online Immersion Program allows learners to explore potential academic and career interests through in-depth online coursework led by Wake Forest faculty. Offered year-round, the flexible, asynchronous format lets students study anytime, anywhere and at their own pace.

Learn More

NPR's Student Podcast Challenge is back for 2026 and is open to students in grades four through 12. For its eighth annual year, the competition will feature a special prize to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.

For this special challenge, our judges will be listening for stories that look back at historical events, take us to historic places, or that explore what it means to be an American. Stories of innovation, of rights and protest, arts and culture, civic engagement and governance, or personal narratives or beliefs.

The 2026 edition of the Student Podcast Challenge will open on Jan. 5 and close on May 30.

You can submit here, whenever you're ready.

The contest will be open to students in grades four through 12. The grand prize winners will be announced, after summer break, in September.

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. Students in grades 6-12 to create a short (5-6 minute) video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme:

"America's 250th Anniversary: Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence." The short documentary should explore the enduring impact

of the Declaration of Independence by examining:

(1) its influence on a key moment from America’s 250-year history
– or –
(2) how the values stated in the foundational document touch on a contemporary issue impacting you or your community.

C-SPAN awards cash prizes totaling $100,000 to the student filmmakers of the top 150 student documentaries. More detailed information HERE

The submission deadline for all entries is Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

LEDA is looking for highly motivated high school juniors with strong academic records and a desire to develop their leadership abilities to join the 21st Cohort of LEDA Scholars.

Who Should Apply:

1. Junior attending public high school in the U.S. graduating in 2027

2. U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status

3. Annual household income under $90,000

4. Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.5

Successful Applicants Demonstrate:

1. A desire to be challenged academically

2. A strong commitment to their studies

3. A desire to be a leader in their families, schools, and communities

4. A connection to LEDA's core values of Excellence, Integrity, Compassion, and Community

BBB's Spark Jr Awards recognize current high school students and college undergraduates who display entrepreneurship through a business they are operating or a business model they have developed for future execution.

To qualify, applicants must reside or attend a high school or university within BBB of Eastern Carolinas' 48-county service area. This award application accepts both currently operating businesses as well as business models and plans. The winner of the Spark Jr Awards will receive a prize of $1,000. The Spark Jr Awards winner will be announced in the Spring of 2026 at BBB's Awards Ceremony. Applications are due by 11:59pm EST on Monday, January 5, 2026.

https://www.cognitoforms.com/BBBForms/_2026BBBSparkJrAwardsApplicationForm

December 9 at 7pm

Register for the info sessions now using this link .

Applications available starting Jan. 15, 2026.

Girls State will be held June 20-25

at Campbell University

If interested in applying email: Shirley_Gerrior@msn.com or mboston.alauxp@gmail.com

UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) Visual Arts Program is a residential program designed for high school juniors and seniors who have an artistic interest, dedication and enthusiasm they wish to pursue in a structured course of study. Learn more about the program.

Tuition is provided free of charge for in-state high school students, and the majority of their other educational costs (e.g., textbooks, health and wellness services, room and meal plan, activities, etc.) are covered by the North Carolina High School Artists Grant. Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

Rising high school juniors or seniors are encouraged to apply here.

Application Deadline: January 15th

The N.C. Department of Transportation's Division of Aviation hosts the North Carolina Aviation Art Contest each year to inspire and engage young people in aviation.

The contest offers children ages 6-17 who live or attend school in North Carolina the chance to explore different aspects of aviation. Winners from the North Carolina competition progress to the national competition, hosted by the National Association of State Aviation Officials. Winners of the national competition are submitted to the international competition. The North Carolina Ai​rports Association​ sponsors the art contest.

2026 Aviation Art Contest Theme: ‘Fly to Save Lives’

For over a hundred years, people have dreamed of flying in the sky. What once seemed like magic is now a part of our everyday lives. Planes and helicopters help us travel far and fast, bringing people together from all over the world. They also help during emergencies, like delivering food, medicine, fighting wildfires and finding people who need help.

This year’s theme is ‘Fly to Save Lives’. We want you to imagine how aviation and air sports can help save lives. With your crayons, paint, or pencils, show us your ideas. How can flight make the world a safer and better place? The sky is not the limit—it’s where hope begins!​

Deadline Jan. 16, 2026.

Form Below

Tar Heels Boys State will be at a new location this year.

Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC

June 21-27, 2026

paws4people®️ trains and places Assistance Dogs, empowering users to transform their lives for a better tomorrow. You can volunteer with dogs in Wilmington, NC through paws4people®️. Our volunteer opportunities include:

• Puppy socialization
• Resource development professionals
• Media management, publicity, and/or public relations professionals
• Graphic designers, copywriters, editors, videographers
• Internet professionals of all types — web technology, web design, search engine specialists, marketing, communication

Interested in short-term opportunities open to the public? Click here to fill out a volunteer interest form.

Are you ready to make a splash and help young swimmers dive into fun? The YMCA's 2nd Grade Swim Program is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who love working with kids! This program is completely FREE for all 2nd graders, and we need your help to make it an unforgettable experience for every child.

As a volunteer, you’ll be the ultimate swim buddy, assisting our coaches as they teach kids basic swimming skills, water safety, and most importantly—having fun in the pool! You’ll get the chance to cheer on the kids as they gain confidence in the water, create memories that last a lifetime, and maybe even make a few new friends along the way!

No swimming experience? No problem! If you’re friendly, patient, and ready to help, we’d love to have you on board. Let’s create a fun, safe, and splash-tacular experience for all the 2nd graders!

You need to create a volunteer account FIRST and then go to this page to sign up for a Schools in Pools help session.

This is a perfect chance for families, neighbors, and friends to come together, give back, and make a positive impact in our community. Bring your loved ones and enjoy a fulfilling weekend while helping those in need. We encourage you to sign up and spread the word!

Volunteer Shifts:

• Tuesday-Friday, 9am-noon & 1-4pm
• Saturday, 9am-noon & 1-4pm

Projects are held inside the Volunteer Area. Occasionally, we may hold projects outside, weather permitting. Some projects include:

• Sorting bulk produce into family–size bags.
• Sorting donations from retail stores.
• Cleaning and bagging drink pouches.
• Sorting and inspecting food drive donations from individuals and corporations.
• Other activities may be available according to partner and community needs.

You can reserve your spot by following this direct link: Sign Up Here

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.

Need community service hours—or know a teen who does? Look no further. The library’s got you covered! Teens can earn service hours doing what they love—reading. Submit a short review of any book, graphic novel, or manga title from our Juvenile, Young Adult, or Adult collections and earn 1.5 hours per review (up to 5 reviews/month).

Counting these as volunteer hours? Complete the Virtual Volunteer Form first and then submit your review!

Virtual Volunteer Form • Submit Your Review

Questions? Contact Ezra Letson at eletson@nhcgov.com

Filing the FAFSA can feel confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Our latest guide breaks down everything families need to know for the 2026–2027 cycle, including what’s new, when to apply, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Get the clarity you need to maximize your aid and make college more affordable. Read more…

Scholarship Value: $10,000

Awards Available: 10

Award Deadline: Dec 31st

The Richard F. Walsh/Alfred W. Di Tolla/Harold Spivak Foundation offers an annual scholarship which is open to the children of members in good standing of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada (IATSE). Each winner of a scholarship will receive a total of $10,000 in scholarship funds which will be paid out at $2,500 per year over a four year period. Counting the 2024 awards, the Foundation has assisted 130 students in the pursuit of a college education.

The rules of eligibility state that the applicant must:

• Be the child of a member in good standing of the IATSE.
• Be a high school senior at time of application and has or is about to apply for admission to an accredited college or university as a fully matriculated student, which will lead to a bachelor's degree. The scholarship is not open to students that have already started college or university.

The procedure for the application is as follows:

• Fill out the application in its entirety.
• A complete copy of the applicant's high school transcript is to be forwarded to the Foundation Office. The transcript must have the school’s seal or stamp for authenticity. It can be sent in directly by the school or the student (together with the application).
• Present a letter(s) of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, volunteer institution or clergyman.
• A list of extracurricular activities with the student’s role and description of duties must be submitted with the application (ex. the student’s resume).
• OPTIONAL: Submit to the Foundation Office the record of the score achieved by the applicant on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT). Please note the Foundation does not have a code for the scores to be submitted electronically therefore a printed copy of the scores attached to the application will be accepted by the Foundation.

Deadline for filing applications with the Foundation Office is December 31st of each year. Applications received or postmarked by December 31st will be accepted. Ancillary documents such as transcripts, recommendation letters and test scores can be sent separately and will be accepted after the December 31st deadline. Applications received (or postmarked) after the December 31st deadline will not be accepted - no exceptions. The ten (10) winners of the scholarship award will be notified by the Foundation Office in late May or June. Applicants that are not selected for the scholarship will be advised by email in June or July.

Go To Scholarship Application

Scholarship Value: $40,000

Awards Available: 400

Award Deadline: Jan. 15, 2026

The Amazon Future Engineer program will award 400 students up to $40,000 each toward college expenses, paired with opportunities to intern at Amazon.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a high school senior in the U.S. who is currently enrolled in or who has completed a high school or college dual degree course where computer science, engineering, or robotics is the subject. Students who have not taken this course can opt-in to take an assessment offered by Amazon.

• Be planning to attain a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, or other computer science-related field of study from an accredited 4-year college or from a 2-year college with the intent to transfer to a 4-year college.

• Must be authorized to work in the US. Example: Employment Authorization Document holder, Permanent Resident, or US Citizen.

• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).

• Must demonstrate financial need.

How to Apply:

Go To Scholarship Application

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.

We are in the process of moving our NHCS Scholarship website. The old website is no longer being updated; the last updated information on the old site is November 2025. The new link below is the main location for scholarship resources.

I try not to post things for more than 2 weeks:

Hoggard Newsletter Folder 2025-2026

Ashley Newsletter Folder 2025-2026

• Dec. 15 - registration for UNCW ACT Prep Course
• Dec. 15 @5:00pm - Coolidge Scholarship
• Jan - Oratorical Scholarship Competition (registration open now)
• Jan. 5 - Summer Ventures (10th & 11th)
• Jan. 9 - NC JCI Senate Kyle Byrd Memorial Scholarship (12th)
• Jan. 27 - Azalea Festival Art Contest

No Deadline: Schools Meals for All Student Ambassador Program

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:

January 12, 2026

February 16, 2026

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.

Email: Jennifer.Crudeli@nhcs.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/nhcs.net/crudeliaig/home
Ashley Office: 405

Hoggard Office: 104B