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A new calendar year doesn’t mean a new school year — but it does mean something important: we’ve officially hit the midpoint. This is one of the most underrated moments of the school year. It’s a natural pause — a chance to reflect, reassess, and recalibrate before spring decisions, summer planning, and next year’s goals sneak up fast.

Did you set goals back in August? Have they changed since then? Do they still feel right?

Think of this moment as your mid-year checkpoint — not to judge yourself, but to get intentional about what comes next.

Here’s what each grade level should be thinking about right now 👇

🎓 Seniors: Shift the Mindset

Your college list is changing — and so is your role in the process.

• Your application list is now becoming a list of acceptances, deferrals, and remaining decisions
• If you’ve been deferred, now is the time to:
  
  • Write Letters of Continued Interest (LOCIs)
  • Reevaluate strategy and consider adding RD or rolling schools if needed
• For schools you’ve been accepted to:
  
  • You’re officially in the driver’s seat
  • Ask: Is this the right academic, social, and financial fit?
  • Visit campuses, attend admitted student events, talk to current students, and communicate with admissions reps

It’s no longer about “Do they want me?”
It’s about “Do I want them?”

📚 Juniors: The Real Start of the Process

This is where college admissions officially begins. Now is the time to:

• Schedule SAT/ACT exams and start test prep
• Start thinking about who will write your recommendation letters
• Explore potential majors and college options
• Plan ahead for summer (jobs, programs, leadership, passion projects)
• Be intentional about senior year course selection

If you want to feel prepared — not rushed — this is when you build your foundation.

🌱 9th & 10th Graders: Build the Foundation

You don’t need a college list yet — but you do need a plan. Mid-year is the perfect time to:

• Think through course strategy for next year
• Be intentional about rigor + balance
• Explore interests that could turn into future majors
• Plan a meaningful summer aligned with what excites you
• Take on leadership through impact, not just titles. Leadership doesn’t mean having a fancy position — it means:

• Starting something
• Improving something
• Making a difference you can actually talk about later

This is where strong applications quietly begin.

A Reminder for Everyone

This midpoint isn’t about perfection — it’s about direction. Revisit your goals. Adjust them if needed.

Start something new if you haven’t yet. As C. S. Lewis said:

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

And that’s exactly what this moment is for.

• Denver RMACAC Spring College Fair, March 9, 2025, 1:00p - 4:00p, Cherokee Trail High School, 25901 E Arapahoe Rd, Aurora, CO 80016

• HRHS College Fair during Access, Thursday, March 13, 2025

· 1/15/26 1:30pm Belmont University Nashville TN

· 3/4/26 12:00pm Whitworth University Spokane WA

· 3/4/26 12:30pm Bushnell University Eugene OR

· 3/9/26 11:00am University of Arkansas Fayetteville AR

Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 2:15 PM until 4:30 PM-7:00

Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows
10345 Park Meadows Dr
Lone Tree, CO 80124
United States

We're excited to bring the University of Kansas to you at Rock Chalk Receptions! These exclusive, out-of-state events are where you can learn more about KU academics and student resources, get the scoop on student life and traditions, and meet other future Jayhawks in your area. Register now for a location near you!

There are several opportunities for your students to learn more about our College of Engineering programs. Prospective students could sign up for our monthly virtual info sessions where they can talk to a current engineering student and one of our admissions experts. Or they could request a tour of our college to experience first hand our state-of-the-art labs and meet with faculty and engineering students.
Virtual information sessions
College Tours (individual or group tours)

University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) College of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) is hosting our annual open house event on January 29, 2026 from 5 – 7 p.m.! We’ve had a great turnout in years past and would love to have you, your students, their families, and the broader school community attend. The event will provide opportunities to tour the engineering buildings, see lab demos, explore majors and minors, and more. RSVP here.

As you receive your college acceptance letters, please let me know of any scholarship offers you receive. And that means EVERY scholarship offered....even if you don't accept the award. We report the total amount offered to our seniors. When you receive award letters, please forward the email, bring it in, snap a picture or email a typed summary....however it is easiest for you to send me the notification of the offer so that we can update our system.

• This includes any scholarship offered to you: need based, academic, athletic, etc.
• Please include the name of the scholarship, the total amount of $$ awarded and indicate if it is a one time scholarship or for all four years.
• Specific information (names, amounts) will not be published. The total $$ earned will be announced during our Honors Convocation ceremony in May and reported to the district.
• Please reach out with any questions you might have!

I've been able to attend the Colleges that Change Lives and Jesuit Educational Tour meet and greets in which schools gave a 5 minute presentation (a snapshot of their institution). I'll highlight some points of pride over the next few newsletters.

Whitman College offers a strong liberal arts education with close student-faculty mentorship, collaborative community, a beautiful campus in Walla Walla, excellent career/grad school outcomes via internships/alumni, and vibrant student life with outdoor activities, fostering personal growth alongside academic rigor in a supportive setting.

Willamette University offers a hands-on liberal arts education with close faculty mentorship, personalized attention in small classes, unique dual-degree programs (like BA/MBA or BA/JD) saving time and tuition, vibrant campus life, strong emphasis on global perspectives, and beautiful Salem/Portland locations with a rich history, leading to strong career outcomes.

College of Wooster offers a strong focus on mentored undergraduate research (especially the senior Independent Study), a diverse and international community, excellent faculty-student mentoring, strong STEM preparation, affordability as a "Best Value" school, and vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations and Division III athletics. Students benefit from small classes, a rigorous liberal arts education, and a supportive environment for developing critical thinking and real-world skills

Register here for the Gap Year talk happening Feb 3 at 7pm MT. Find out why more students are taking a Gap Year between high school and college. Many teens want to increase college and workplace readiness by exploring interests, traveling, improving professional skills, and engaging in other experiences that increase confidence, independence, and maturity. Join Katherine Stievater, founder of Gap Year Solutions for a presentation and Q&A about why students choose to take a Gap Year, and how to plan transformational and purposeful Gap time on any budget.

• Speaker Bio: Katherine Stievater founded Gap Year Solutions in 2015 to emphasize the importance of college readiness when students take gap years. She is an Accredited Gap Year Consultant, and speaks to audiences across the U.S. about the profound impact that gap years have on young adults. Katherine collects industry data, writes and blogs frequently, and has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, NY Post, Today.com and other leading publications. Based in Boston, MA, Katherine has four sons who have taken Gap Years and gone through the college planning process.

This free conference on Friday, February 6, 2026 is designed to help aspiring teachers learn more about the field, connect with peers and gather insights from Colorado’s leader in teacher education. We will also be welcoming back Steve Spangler as our keynote speaker to host an interactive start to our event that your students are sure to love!

Now in its 11th year, Future Teacher Conference features presentations and workshops facilitated by preservice teachers (current UNC students), early career teachers, veteran educators, and UNC Educator Preparation faculty. Anyone curious or exploring the field of teaching is encouraged to attend! Learn more about the conference here. BONUS! Three Future Teacher Conference attendees will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend UNC in the fall of 2026.

• 2026 CU Boulder High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC) - powered by FirstBank + PLUS is a free, statewide entrepreneurial competition that gives high school students hands-on experience solving real-world problems, developing ideas, and building confidence - with $25,000 in scholarships available!

• Virtual Info Session Tuesday, January 13 | 6:00–7:00 PM (MT). Register for HSNVC Info Session HERE to answer all your questions!

• Why educators and students love HSNVC

• $25,000+ in CU Boulder scholarships available

• Hands-on, project-based learning with real-world relevance

• Engagement and valuable feedback from entrepreneurs and industry professionals

• Strong alignment with workforce readiness and entrepreneurial mindset skills

• New in 2026! Exciting micro-credential opportunity for students to earn digital recognition and set themselves apart

• Deadlines:

• Initial registration deadline: January 31, 2026

• Team submissions due: March 25, 2026 (includes 4-minute pitch video and 1–2 page executive summary)

• Registrations:

• Venture Coaches: REGISTER HERE (each team needs one adult lead to serve at the primary point-of-contact and guide their student teams)

• Students: REGISTER HERE (only one student from each team needs to register)

• Learn more: HSNVC Website

High School Leadership Conference (HSLC) is a three-day adventure into leadership exclusively for high school juniors from across the United States. The conference will take place on February 20 to 22, 2026, on the OU campus in Norman, Oklahoma. The application is open now through January 19!​

HSLC aims to equip, empower, and inspire high school juniors to realize their leadership potential through innovative and unique programming. Students who attend HSLC receive development that allows them to become better leaders, discover ways to positively impact their schools and communities, learn about working with others, and understand more about applying for and attending college.

Watch our video recapping the conference from earlier this year to see what HSLC is all about! We also encourage students to follow our Instagram account @cac_hslc.

Applicants do not need to be involved in Student Council and/or leadership to apply. This conference is for ALL students in organizations, clubs, and activities. Additionally, the High School Leadership Conference provides need-based tuition waivers of various amounts available for applicants requiring financial assistance.

Hotel accommodations will be provided for campers in Norman, OK.

If you or your high school juniors have any questions, please feel free to contact us at hslc@ou.edu.

• Check the Scholarship website on the HRHS website for scholarships and scholarship search engines to help you find scholarships that meet your qualifications.
• I update scholarships that are sent to HRHS seeking potential applicants weekly. It is sorted by application due date.
• I will also post some in this newsletter

Rotary International is focused on human service and is over 100 years old. The organization emphasizes human interaction and welfare with the expressed purpose of improving the human condition and bringing peace to the world. This scholarship is to support well-qualified students interested in collegiate study emphasizing mathematics and/or physical or earth science disciplines. The study will need to be conducted at an accredited four year school in the state of Colorado and the student must me a resident of Rotary District 5450 (metro Denver, reaching from Longmont to Castle Rock and from Summit to the Eastern Plains. See here for more details.

Mount Rosa Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution offers a $1000 scholarship to the winner’s designated college or university. Applicant must be a Colorado Resident and a U.S. citizen and a high school senior in an accredited institution of education. The scholarship will be awarded to the most deserving applicant based on academics and merit. The applicant must prepare a statement stating his/her goals and career objectives specifying how your college major or college plans relate to your future professional goals, and the reasons for your choices. Please do not to exceed 500 typed words. Please include an Official Transcript of high school grades through the first semester of the senior year. Applicant should provide a list of scholastic achievements, non-academic activities (e.g. sports, music, church, community service) and other accomplishments, honors, and awards. (Please, a maximum of 2 pages.)

Applicant should include two letters of recommendation and a financial need statement. DO NOT include parent(s) annual income or photograph. APPLICATION should be RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE: MARCH 1st , 2026. See Ms. Sadler for application form and details on where to send.

For 2025 the Kit Faragher Foundation will offer three $12,000 scholarships to graduating Colorado high school seniors, with one of those scholarships dedicated to a graduating senior from a Montrose County High School due to the generosity of that community during our fundraisers there over the past several years. These scholarships will support high school seniors who have earned cumulative 2.5 GPAs, are in strong need of financial assistance for college, university or technical school, and who demonstrate positive attitudes, strong commitments and drives towards accomplishment. The applications for 2025 are now available! The application deadline is Friday, April 17, 2026, 5:00 P.M.

The Student-View Scholarship is a unique opportunity for high school seniors.

It is open to all students regardless of academic achievement or financial need.

Student Insights will award the following prizes: (Select your state below to apply)

• One (1) individual prize of a $10,000 scholarship.
• Two (2) individual prize of a $1,000 scholarship.
• Three (3) individual prizes, consisting of $500 scholarships each

It is exceptionally easy to apply:

* NO minimum SAT or ACT score
* NO minimum grade point average
* NO lengthy, time-consuming paperwork
* NO essays
* NO application fee

Simply complete a 15-25 minute online survey about local colleges. You will then be automatically entered into a random drawing for a scholarship award.

This scholarship offered by Colorado Garden Foundation is a four-year full-ride scholarship available to an incoming freshman resident from Colorado at a publicly funded Colorado college or university. Applicants must be majoring in one of these fields of study: • Agriculture Business • Agriculture Education • Horticulture • Floriculture • Landscape Architecture • Botany • Plant Biology • Plant Pathology/Science • Nursery & Landscape Management • Environmental Horticulture • Agronomy. Applications must be mailed and received by the Colorado Garden Foundation office by March 15th. No applications received after that date will be considered.

With more than 20 competitive scholarship opportunities available through a Universal Application, students submit one application to be considered for multiple awards. High school, college (undergraduate & graduate), trade/tech, and nontraditional students are eligible for our opportunities. Some scholarships may require their own separate application and follow different timelines, so you are encouraged to consider all of our available opportunities.
Application Open: Dec 15
Application Close: Feb 27
Typical Awards Range from $1,000 - $10,000
To learn more and apply: https://denverfoundation.org/scholarships/scholarship-opportunities/. If you have any questions please contact Adelita Aguirre, Scholarships Officer aaguirre@denverfoundation.org 303-951-9565

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is excited to announce that applications for the Grossman Scholarships are now open for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Scholarships of amounts between $5,000-$10,000 are available for graduating high school seniors.
• Scholarships of amounts between $5,000-$10,000 are available for those pursuing an undergraduate degree, either as a continuation of study or after a postponement of study*.

All applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education in Colorado at an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program.

Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

• Graduating high school seniors in the United States, who reside in a state that has an active JCI Senate program and a scholarship chairperson. Check www.usjcisenate.org under the scholarship tab for a listing of participating states. If your state is not listed, you are not eligible to apply.
• STUDENTS MUST HAVE A GPA OF 3.25 AND ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this scholarship.

• Graduating high school seniors in the United States, who reside in a state that has an active JCI Senate program and a scholarship chairperson. Check www.usjcisenate.org under the scholarship tab for a listing of participating states. If your state is not listed, you are not eligible to apply.
• STUDENTS MUST HAVE A GPA OF 3.75 AND ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this scholarship.

If you are a student living in the Littleton Post Service Area (South of Hampden, Ave, West of I-25 and NE of C470) and are a descendent of a Veteran, you qualify to apply for the $5,000 George C. Evans Post 103 Scholarship. Please email Mrs. Sadler for details. April 9 deadline.

• Award Amount: $2,500 (sent directly to the student)

• Deadline: December 31st, 2025

• How to Apply: Free application at www.cirkledin.com/scholarships ;

• Application Process: Free and easy application via the link above.

Eligibility:

• Any student in Grades 9–12

• No GPA requirement

• No income restrictions

• No essay required

It's free, fast, and students love how simple it is.

Cirkled In: More Than a Scholarship – A Free Platform for College & Career Success:
This scholarship is just one piece of what Cirkled In offers. Cirkled In is an award-winning, all-in-one College & Career Readiness hub built for how Gen Z thinks and learns, helping educators and schools. It's free for students and teachers.

With Cirkled In, students get:

• A holistic, shareable portfolio (academic + extracurricular) that travels beyond high school

• 7,000+ colleges and trade schools

• 22,000+ internships and jobs (updated daily)

• Millions of dollars in scholarships (updated daily)

• A curated library of 600+ articles, and videos for all their questions.

• Coming soon: AI-Powered College & Career Matching.

DAR offers 31 scholarships through our National Society. To review those, please contact DAR.ORG/Scholarships directly. The requirements are listed for each with forms available to download.

The deadline is 11:59PM, January 31, 2026.

For Applicants who Intend to Major in SCIENCE or MATH. Application Deadline 2/28/26 and may be downloaded from www.universityhillsrotary.org.

• Permanent address must be in Rotary District 5450
• Applicants must be a United States Citizen.
• Applicant must plan to attend a Colorado college or University
• Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0+
• Must provide evidence of need.

The Road Home Exteriors Scholarship was created to honor local high school seniors in the Denver Metro area who truly live out our company motto: Do What Is Expected, Then Do More. We believe in rewarding students who go above and beyond - whether in academics, leadership, community service, or personal growth. As a locally owned company committed to integrity and excellence in every roofing, siding, and window project, we’re proud to invest in the next generation of leaders who share those same values. This scholarship reflects our dedication to both our craft and our community. The scholarship is divided between four chosen applicants who best exemplify our motto: Do What Is Expected, Then Do More.

The Sachs Foundation is now accepting applications for our Undergraduate Scholarship, supporting Black students in Colorado with $10,000 per year for up to four years of full-time study. Eligibility requirements: • Identify as Black • Have Colorado residency for at least three years • Be a graduating senior from a Colorado high school. All students who fit the criteria are encouraged to apply.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Your full high school transcript
• Two letters of recommendation from persons not related to you
• A one-page personal statement and an additional essay response (350-500 words)
• Your Student Aid Report (SAR). You can obtain your SAR by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you haven’t already done so, at www.fafsa.gov
• Information from your household’s latest tax return
• An additional educational, artistic, or professional file personal to you (optional)

Please note: Completed applications, with all materials, must be received by the Sachs Foundation by March 15th. Letters of Recommendation must be received by March 31st. Applications submitted past the deadline will not be considered. Any incomplete or incorrect statement will directly impact any consideration of your scholarship application.

Students who are identified as finalists for a scholarship will be notified in late April. Finalists will be required to attend a program in Colorado Springs in June. Final approval of an award will be made at that time.

A program of the Rocky Mountain Court System Inc., this foundation was created to award scholarships to ALL Colorado residents, enabling them to continue their college education. The money is donated directly to the schools with the stipulation that the scholarship award is to be used for tuition or to purchase textbooks. The eligibility criteria are that the applicant must reside in Colorado and attend an accredited higher learning institution. Application due January 14. See website for more details.

Digital SAT practice is free and available to all students through the Bluebook™ testing app. Students can take a full-length digital practice test, view their results, and get linked to additional instructional materials, resources, and lessons on Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy®.

There are several tutors hoping to help students with various subjects or testing. A list can be found on the post grad website.

• Erika Smith, M.Ed., specializing in math tutoring, 720-810--0801 or erika.smith.hi@gmail.com
• William Judy, recently retired, 708-979-3589

This is available for free in the Library every Access period, after school Mon-Thurs from 2:45-3:30, before school on silver days from 7:15-8:10!

Students sign up online for tutoring using this google form: Sign up for NHS Tutoring

What kind of help can you get from a tutoring session?

• One-on-One tutoring session -- specific skill or assignment

• A study buddy -- study and review for a test

• A homework helper -- while you work on your homework

• A writing coach -- organize your thoughts/edit your written work

• A reading buddy -- help you with your assigned reading

There is an opportunity for students to enroll in a high-quality, affordable SAT prep course this winter. The course will be hosted at the University of Denver and taught by a Harvard graduate. A live online option is also available, and families may choose between the in-person and virtual formats. Students who complete the course often see score increases of 200+ points.

Course Details

· 27-hour comprehensive SAT prep course

· Includes 3 proctored practice exams

· Runs for 7 weeks, beginning in February

· Taught live by a 99th percentile instructor with real-time student interaction

· Total cost: $195

Campus Prep has offered these popular courses at the University of Denver for the past 7 years and has served as the official SAT provider for the Boulder Valley School District.

Spots are limited and courses tend to fill quickly.

Apply here: https://www.campusprep.org/sat (applications take about 60 seconds)

You can also visit the link above to view schedules and additional details.

If you have questions, please contact us at admin@campusprep.org or call (877) 805-2521.

General Reminder: All seniors need to complete and turn in 20 hours of community service. Your completed hours are posted on your unofficial transcript. Need ideas?

We are continuing to prepare for the Shredders Ski Team season and are looking for passionate, enthusiastic volunteers to support individuals with Down Syndrome during their full-day ski lessons as part of the Shredders Ski Team with the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) at Winter Park Resort!

NSCD Shredders Ski Team Season Details:

• Participants: Individuals with Down Syndrome, ages 5+

• Dates: Saturdays, February 21, 28, March 7, and 14, 2026

• Location: National Sports Center for the Disabled, Winter Park Resort

• Volunteer positions start at age 16 and up

Interested in becoming a volunteer? The NSCD Winter Volunteer Application is Open!

https://nscd.org/winter-volunteer/

Need community service hours? Volunteer to be a Teen Reading Buddy at Douglas County Libraries. Click here for more information. Check out more volunteer opportunities at DCL here.

The Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition (DCHYC) is currently accepting applications for our Youth Leadership Board for the 2025–2026 school year.

The Youth Leadership Board brings together high school students from across the county to:

• Strengthen leadership skills through real-world projects

• Work alongside community leaders, schools, and parents to improve youth health and well-being

• Lead peer-driven initiatives focused on prevention, connection, and advocacy.

• RescueMinds Medical Learning- student-led nonprofit organization committed to increasing access to CPR and Narcan training in high school and college students. Apply to volunteer.

• Denver Museum of Nature & Science Guest Engagement Volunteer program. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer at the information desk, ticket scanning and greeting, while creating a friendlier and more convenient Museum space by serving as gallery guides and performing wayfinding assignments during special events and programs.

• The Aspen Effect offers leadership and volunteer services hours through Ranch Hand Jobs. Visit www.theaspeneffect.org to sign up (limited spaces).

Army:

• February 4

Marines:

• January 14

Navy:

• January 21

To honor the dedication and bravery of former HRHS students serving in the military, we have a recognition wall for service members at HRHS. If you know of a former student enlisted with the military, I would like to include them in our display case. It is an opportunity for our school community to express gratitude and support for these individuals. Please email me the contact info and I can reach out to them to include their name, branch of the military and a photo/write up if available.

Owl Club of Denver Debutante is recruiting outstanding African American young women who are 2026 graduates for the Diamond Anniversary of the Debutante Cotillion.

The Owl Club of Denver was founded in 1941 and received its charter from the State of Colorado in 1949. The Owl Club was organized as a men's social club at the prestigious University Club, but over the 84 years have implemented programs of educational, cultural, civic, and recreational value to the Denver community. To date more than 1600 young women have been recognized as Owl Club Debutantes.

If Interested, please email Mrs. Sadler for a nomination form.

Follow the HRHS Postgrad Instagram Page!