Viking College & Career Newsletter

I’m Ms. Hartfield, your College & Career Counselor, and I’m here to help you navigate senior year and plan for what’s next! To cut down on random emails, I’ll send the Viking College & Career Newsletter to your school email each week. It’s just for seniors and will include important updates, deadlines, and opportunities related to college, careers, military, scholarships, financial aid, and life after high school. Be sure to check it each week!

Mr. Kee and I will be meeting with seniors in their English classes on Thursday (Sept 3) and Friday (Sept 4) to go over post-secondary planning. Students without English courses will be invited into another block.
During this meeting students will learn more about the following:

01. Graduation & College Requirements

02. Standardized Testing

03. Post-High School Options

04. Researching Colleges

05. College Application Processes

06. Financing College

07. Favorite Resources & Website Tutorial

08. SchooLinks

Official transcripts will be available after senior schedule changes are finalized on Wednesday, September 2nd. Transcripts must include accurate senior-year schedules before they can be sent.

The FERPA Release Agreement in Infinite Campus is currently unavailable for parents to view and sign. We are waiting for district guidance before official transcripts can be sent.

In the meantime, students can use their unofficial transcript in the “Documents” section of Infinite Campus if their college accepts unofficial transcripts or self-reported grades. If an official transcript is required, request it through SchooLinks. We will send it as soon as transcripts are ready.

We will talk more about this in your English class.

Juniors and Seniors may sign up in SchooLinks to receive a pass to come to the counseling office to meet with the admissions rep. Admissions reps will go over admissions criteria, campus life, scholarships, financial aid, and important deadlines.

• College Campus Visits
• College Application Help
• Scholarship Writing Workshops
  
• Financial Aid Assistance

Apply and learn more here!

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 / equip STL high school students and their families with the knowledge and resources to obtain scholarships to attend an HBCU. The summit will consist of 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!

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.

Register for the National Portfolio Day: St. Louis

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT: Careers in Art & Financial Aid Presentations
• 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT: Portfolio Reviews

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.

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.

Scholarships are always posted on SchooLinks!

Login and follow these instructions:

College → Scholarship Matching → Type in your Zip Code → Click Next (You do not have to fill out the boxes.) → View Matches → District Posted (Top Right Corner)

Below are some scholarships that have upcoming deadlines.
Click on the flier to go to the website to learn more about the opportunity!

The 2027 MVS application is now open. Applications can be found online at enf.elks.org/MVS. The application deadline is November 12, 2026.

The Elks National Foundation awards 500 four-year scholarships based on academics, leadership, and financial need. National awards range from $1,000 to $7,500 per year. The national awards will be announced in April 2027. MVS scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to pursue a four-year degree on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), at a U.S. college or university starting in 2027-28. Some important applicant details include:

• Current high school seniors (or equivalent) who are citizens of the United States.
• Applicants do not have to be related to a member of the Elks.
• Male and female students compete separately.
• Applicants select from a list of the Lodges closest to their home address zip code. Please have your students choose St. Louis #9 as their sponsoring Lodge. The top three male applicants and the top three female applicants to St. Louis #9 will be awarded $200 each.

Legacy Awards – The Legacy Awards contest opens on September 1, 2026. Legacy Awards provide $6,000 scholarships for children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elk members. The ENF offers a total of 400 national awards. The application deadline is February 1, 2027. Please visit enf.elks.org/Leg for more details and the application link.

For any questions, please contact me at Beth Schnettler, Scholarship Chair at Beth12523@gmail.com.