The Raider Nation Newsletter

Dear Raider Nation,

It's hard to believe but there are only 12 days of school left in the 2024-2025 school year. By the end of this week, teachers will have provided students with final exam study guides and have spent/will spend some of the class time before exams reviewing for finals. The final exam is a comprehensive assessment of skills and information learned in marking periods 3 and 4 and counts for 10% of the student's overall course grade. Students should definitely spend some time between now and June 13th-18th preparing on their own for finals. Please reach out to individual teachers if you have any questions or concerns.

As we wind down the year, counselors will also be working with students to finalize their course schedules for the 2025-2026 school year. Course conflicts in the master schedule may prevent a student from getting all the classes they wanted, so counselors will work with you and your child to select an appropriate alternative. In addition, counselors are helping students enroll in HCC classes and sign up for work release if they only need a few courses to graduate and are interesting in working a job during the day. Please contact your child's counselor if you have any questions.

Let's finish strong!

Sincerely,

Nick Novak

Principal

We sent off our seniors last week in grand fashion at Merriweather. Our student speakers and performers did an amazing job and it was a wonderful celebration of the Class of 2025 (even if Kermit the Frog couldn't make it). Check out this fantastic photo gallery from the ceremony.

Senior pictures with Legacy Studios can be scheduled now!

Atholton HS senior portrait scheduling page is now active and open for seniors to select their Spring and Summer appointment dates and times. The link for seniors to schedule their appointments is below. Once these dates fill up, we’ll share the Fall dates.

Just a few tips about scheduling:

• This link will be the same for all senior portrait dates. Seniors looking to schedule an appointment for a later date can do so through this same link.

• Seniors can access the scheduling site either through the customized link provided or by visiting the Legacy Studios website and searching by school.

• Both the school customized link and a link to the Legacy Studios website are provided here:

• https://seniors.legacystudios.com/Links to an external site.
• https://seniors.legacystudios.com/atholton-hs-columbia-md/Links to an external site.

• Below is the contact information for our customer care service in case you require any assistance.

• Call: 716-512-6336
• Email: customercare@legacystudios.com
• Chat: https://seniors.legacystudios.comLinks to an external site.

I received this event announcement from former PTSA president Jessica Cade. Check it out:

We’d like to warmly invite you to attend our Gun Violence Awareness Day event on Friday June 6, from 5-6 pm at the Columbia Lakefront Plaza main stage.

#Wear Orange started on June 2, 2015—what would have been Hadiya Pendleton's 18th birthday. Just one week after performing at President Obama's 2nd inaugural parade in 2013, she was shot and killed at the age of 15. In the aftermath of Hadiya's murder, teenagers in Chicago wore orange to honor their friend. Now, #WearOrange honors Hadiya and the more than 125 people who are shot and killed every day in the United States, as well as hundreds more who are wounded and countless others traumatized by acts of gun violence.

Here in Howard County, #Wear Orange is our annual opportunity to honor survivors of gun violence, amplify their voices, and bring awareness to our mission of ending gun violence.

We are very excited to be hosting this year’s event at the Columbia Lakefront Plaza and we hope that the planned program will inspire and move individuals to honor survivors with actions to help curb gun violence in Howard County.

The event is scheduled to include:

• Our elected officials presenting the 2025 Wear Orange Proclamations to gun violence survivors

• Remarks from community partners

• Youth musical performers

• An optional Peace Walk around Lake Kittamaqundi to commemorate the lives lost to gun violence

You are welcome to sign up through this link:

Below you will find information about summer volunteer opportunities at the Columbia Lakefront between June and the end of September. Interested volunteers should email Cathy Smith at cathyvsmith@outlook.com directly to register.

Event Spec Sheet

Juneteenth Event 6-19-25

July 4th Celebration & Fireworks

Lakefront Concert #3 7-17-25

Lakefront Concert #4 7-31-25

Lakefront Back to School Bash 8-16-25

Lakefront Day of Dance 9-20-25

Teen Advisory Council - Open to Howard County students in grades 8-12. Earn Community Service Hours and make meaningful contributions to the community. Next meeting: Monday June 9, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Must register to receive the meeting link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TAC_6-9-25 More information: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/

Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City - Senior Week should be a celebratory, memorable time with friends—not a risk! With the right planning, it can be a safe and fun experience for everyone. Check out HC DrugFree's recorded webinar, "Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City", for graduating high school seniors and their parents. The tips shared by Howard County teens, the Ocean City Police, and the Ocean City Beach Patrol are appropriate for all families or anyone visiting Ocean City, MD this summer or throughout the year. View webinar: https://hcdrugfree.org/senior-week/

The senior class picture took place in the stadium last week. Please see information below for directions on how to purchase the picture from Legacy Studios.

Legacy Studios is privileged to be the official photographer for your school. Whether you're looking to frame a portrait, create an album, or share memories with family and friends, we have options to suit every need. Don't miss out on the chance to cherish these milestones for years to come—click through and commemorate your school year with us! To view the wide range of activities and special events captured throughout the 2024-2025 school year, visit us at https://legacyeventphotos.shop/Links to an external site..

Gallery will be available once the images are processed and ready for purchase.

Our team is working on loading all the images from the current year for you to view and purchase, which will take some time so check back frequently!

School Name: ATHOLTON HIGH SCHOOL

Access Code: 471925

SAT Boot Camps at Atholton HS - $199

**These prep classes will prepare students for the May 3, June 7, and Aug. 23 SATs.**

• M/W April 28 & 30 from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
• M/W Aug. 11 & 13 from 5 pm - 9 pm
• Interested in live, virtual prep? See website for all of the upcoming classes!

College Essay Writing Workshops in HoCo - $199

**These highly-rated, limited-enrollment workshops take students from idea generation to outline, to a complete draft of their Common App main essay.**

• M/W June 23 & 25 from 5 pm - 9 pm
• M/W Aug. 4 & 6 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
• See website for the growing list of workshops, including live, virtual options, too!

Each college prep class is only $199,* or choose a Premium Bundle and save up to $500. AHS PTSA earns a portion of student tuition! Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student.

To date, more than 1,210 AHS students have benefited from the prep and $32,900+ has been donated to AHS PTSA! 95% of students would recommend the course to a friend!

*Early Bird Discount: Register one week ahead of your course & SAVE $20!

Register today at: http://www.theanswerclass.com

6/4 SGA/Class Council Elections

6/5 Incoming 9th Grade Visit

6/5 Incoming 9th Grade Athletics Info Night

6/6 Underclassmen Awards-11:35am Dismissal

6/11 Evacuation/Shelter in Place Drill

6/13 Period 1 Final Exam

6/16 11:35am Dismissal (Period 2 & 3 Final Exams)

6/17 11:35am Dismissal (Period 4A & 5 Final Exams)

6/18 11:35am Dismissal (Period 4B & 6 Final Exams)

Atholton PTSA

Atholton PBSA

Atholton Boosters

Atholton Drama Boosters

Atholton JROTC Boosters

Atholton Music Boosters

Atholton Robotics Boosters