CHS College and Career Center News

If you signed up to take an AP exam this year, see THIS SCHEDULE for dates and times of the exams.

-The exams will be held AT CHS.

-Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your exam is scheduled to start. Late admittance will not be allowed.

-If the exam you are taking starts at 12 pm, there is a good chance, depending on how long your exam is (see the College Board website), that your exam will run long enough to where you will miss the bus to go home from CHS after school. If this is the case for your exam, please plan to have a ride pick you up at CHS.

-More exam information will be emailed to students and families starting in mid April.

-Contact Mike Henderson at mike_henderson@csd28j.org if you have any questions.

It's not too late to sign up for Advanced Placement (AP) classes for next year. AP classes give you the chance to explore in depth a subject that you enjoy, help prepare yourself for college, and possibly earn college credit. See this article for more information.

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/ap-classes

Below are the classes that students can forecast for. If you have any questions about AP at CHS, contact Mike Henderson at mike_henderson@csd28j.org.

CHS is offering 10th graders the OPTION to take the PreACT test at school for free. This test will happen during the school day on Friday, April 17th. This is OPTIONAL, which means it is not required for 10th graders to take.

For more information about the benefits of the PreACT see this flyer.

To sign up to take the PreACT at CHS on April 17th have your 10th grade student fill out this google form.

You must sign up by Monday, April 13th. If you have any questions, email Mike Henderson at mike_henderson@csd28j.org.

The financial aid offer letter comparison tool allows students and families to easily compare multiple college financial aid offers side by side. It helps clarify true costs, grants, scholarships, loans, and out-of-pocket expenses so users can make informed enrollment decisions.

To protect student privacy, everyone needs to download their own copy from this link:

Bit.ly/Compare101

Mt. Hood Community College Preview Day field trip- Fri. 4/3

Mt. Hood Community College placement exams at CHS- Fri. 4/10

PSU Donut Day for Admitted Students at CHS- Thur. 4/16

Optional PreACT exam for 10th grade students at CHS- Fri. 4/17

CHS College and Career Day- Fri. 4/24

U of O Admitted Students Meeting at CHS- Tues. 4/28

NW College of Construction Career Day field trip- Fri. 5/1

Women In Trades field trip- Fri. 5/15

MHCC Class Registration Help and Next Steps Assistance at CHS- Thur. 5/28 and Fri. 5/29

List of College, Trade, and Career Related PRESENTATIONS (with links to sign up)

List of College, Trade, and Career Related FIELD TRIPS/EVENTS

For more information about any of these events, see Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center or contact him at mike_henderson@csd28j.org.

Scholarships Specifically for Centennial High School Students- CHS students will receive these scholarships! Apply by the deadline and include all materials that are required.

*Deadline to submit is Thursday, April 9th, 2026

-Gresham Rotary Club Scholarship for Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC)

1 CHS winner will be selected.

If you’d like to attach a separate Activities/Volunteer List for the answer to #3, here is a sample/template: School, Community Service, Volunteer Chart

Gresham Rotary Club Scholarship Application

Email applications and any attachments to Mike Henderson at mike_henderson@csd28j.org or submit them in print form to him in the CHS College and Career Center

*Deadline to submit is 5 pm on Friday, April 10th, 2026

-Meadows Elementary PTO Scholarship

You must have been a “student, attendee, volunteer” at Meadows Elementary to qualify for this scholarship. $300 award. 3.0 gpa required.

Meadows PTO Scholarship

Email all required documents as PDFs to meadows.pto1@gmail.com – subject line: SCHOLARSHIP

*Deadline to submit is Friday, April 10th, 2026

-Pleasant Valley Elementary Scholarship

You must have “graduated” from Pleasant Valley to qualify for this scholarship. 2 $500 awards are available.

Pleasant Valley Scholarship

Email applications to Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center at CHS at mike_henderson@csd28j.org

*Deadline to submit is Monday, April 27th, 2026

-Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) Scholarship Centennial Chapter

Must have a family member who works in the Centennial School District as a non-teacher or administrator. Must have a 2.5 gpa or higher.

OSEA Centennial Chapter Scholarship Application

OSEA Scholarship Flier

Submit or email your application to Mike Henderson at mike_henderson@csd28j.org

*Deadline to submit is Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

-The Centennial Booster Club Scholarship

For students who were part of an activity/athletic team at CHS. Parent/Guardian of applicant must be an active member of the booster club for a minimum of two (2) years.

https://centennialhsboosters.square.site/cbc-scholarship *USE THE APPLICATION THAT IS ONLINE EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS 2024 ON IT.

Submit your application to Daunte Gouge in the CHS Athletic Office

*Deadline to submit is Friday, April 17th, 2026

-Centennial School District Robert P. Jacobsen Memorial Music Scholarship

Two (2) $8000 scholarships will be awarded to CHS students that will be going to a 2 or 4 year college and MAJORING IN MUSIC.

Centennial’s Robert P. Jacobsen Jr. Memorial Music Scholarship

Turn in to Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center at CHS

*Deadline to submit is Friday, April 17th, 2026

-CHS Faculty Scholarships

Two $500 scholarships available for CHS/CVA students.

CHS Faculty Scholarships

Turn in to Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center at CHS

*Deadline to submit is Friday, April 17th, 2026

-Dan Oldham Memorial Scholarship

Two (2) $2500 scholarships will be awarded to CHS students that will be going to a 2 or 4 year college and MAJORING IN BUSINESS OR MARKETING.

Dan Oldham Memorial Scholarship 2026

Turn in to Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center at CHS

*Deadline to submit is Friday, April 24th, 2026

-Coach Gordon Mouser CHS Soccer Scholarship

One $1500 scholarship will be awarded to a CHS soccer player who exemplifies Coach Mousers’ spirit and legacy.

Coach Gordon Mouser CHS Soccer Scholarship

Submit to Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center at CHS at mike_henderson@csd28j.org

*Deadline to submit is Friday, May 1st, 2026

-The Centennial Education Association’s (CEA) Ken Noah Scholarship

For students who plan to BECOME A TEACHER.

Ken Noah Scholarship

Submit your application to Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center at CHS

Local Scholarships- These scholarships are local and therefore, CHS students have a better chance to receive them.

*Deadline to submit is Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

-The Eastwind Running and Endurance scholarship

For local graduating seniors whose lives have been enriched by physical fitness.

https://eastwind.run/scholarship-program

2026 Eastwind Running and Endurance Scholarship Application

*Deadline to submit is Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

-Clackamas Community College (CCC) scholarships

For students who will be attending CCC

https://www.clackamas.edu/admissions-financial-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/scholarships

*Deadline to submit is Thursday, April 30th, 2026

-Harry Glickman Scholar-Athlete Award

Jewish student athletes may apply or be nominated.

https://www.oregonjcc.org/sports/glickman-award-application

*Deadline to submit is Friday, May 1st, 2026

-Oregon PTA (Parent Teacher Association)

For students who will be studying to become a teacher.

Oregon PTA Scholarship

*Deadline to submit is Monday, June 15th, 2026

-Portland Relocation Council

For students who moved schools during high school.

https://www.portlandrelocationcouncil.com/Scholarship

2025-2026 CHS and Local Scholarships Document

National or State Wide Scholarships

Humanists Scholarship Due Apr. 5

Incight Scholarship *for students with disabilities- Due. Apr. 15

Oregon PTA Scholarship *for those studying to become a teacher- Due May 1

The Renaissance Scholarship- Due Feb. 1 and May 1

Portland Relocation Council *for students who moved schools during high school- Due Jun. 15th

This spring, Pacific Northwest College of Art is hosting half-day and one-day Pre-College classes in ceramics, rug tufting, album art, observational drawing, and character design.

You can learn more here or see the attached flyer for details. PNCA Pre-College offers Saturday Classes and Summer Intensives in art, design, and animation for students ages 14-18. We offer a limited amount of need-based scholarships (covering up to 75% of tuition/materials) for all programs.

Class of 2026:
Are you interested in natural resources or habitat restoration? Do you need a paid job this summer? Are you between the ages of 18-24 and identify as BIPOC, a woman, rural, LGBTQ+ or low income? If so, check out THIS FLIER for information about a summer paid internship opportunity.

Are you interested in the healthcare field? 2 summer experiences are available, the Synapse healthcare career summer camp at Pacific University, as well as camps at OHSU this summer. These are for next year's Juniors and Seniors (Synapse) and next year's Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors (OHSU). Registration and links are in the SYNAPSE flier and the OHSU flier.

Note that they will try to prioritize students who don't otherwise have these opportunities for career exposure through jobs, volunteering, parents, or school programming.

Are you looking for free, fun, enriching programming this summer? Look no further, Girls Who Code has got you covered!

Girls Who Code’s free, virtual Pathways is a summer program for high school girls and non-binary students, including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants. Participants have the chance to explore technology, build projects based on their interests, and join a supportive global community—no prior coding experience or program fees required.

• Application Closes: April 10

Portland Parks & Recreation is currently hiring for multiple summer positions. They have two summer programs that offer meaningful work experiences in environmental education and conservation:

• Youth Conservation Crew - Crew Member: They are looking for responsible teens who enjoy working outside and are excited to work with a diverse team. Join a crew focusing on trails, trees, community gardens, or natural areas. This role pays $18 an hour. The application opens on February 16th and closes March 22nd; it can be found with this link.

• Nature Day Camp – Educators and Support Staff: They are hiring for a variety of positions, including Site Leads, Activity Leads, and Educators, all focused on creating engaging outdoor experiences for children. This role pays $19.00 - $25.00 an hour. The application opens on February 16th and closes March 22nd; it can be found with this link.

Check out this FLIER and this FLIER for more information.

A paid youth internship program is being offered by Oregon Metro, our local regional government agency. The program focuses on hiring high school sophomores and juniors to come learn about their agency, the environmental field, and how to be civically engaged in our communities. Youth get to work individually and as a part of a cohort of other youth of similar ages. They are going to be hiring 5 youth this coming Spring and are hosting three open houses to offer youth the chance to learn more about their program. See this flier for more info on how to RSVP. They will have two virtual open house options and one in-person at their Metro Regional Center.

Attention 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students. Are you interested in going to a 4 year college. U of O's SAIL (Student Academy to Inspire Learning) Program might be for you. It gives you a chance to experience college for a full week. You live on campus and learn at the same time. See THIS WEBSITE for more information.

Many colleges and organizations in Oregon offer summer camps and programs. Learn something new, build your leadership skills, explore careers and of course, have fun! Check out this WEBSITE for more information. Visit each programs' website for information on dates, rates, and application deadlines.

Seniors, your financial aid offer letters are here! But what do all those numbers mean? Before making any decisions, it’s important to know what’s free money and what you'll have to pay (or repay). Get Schooled’s guide on how to read your financial aid offer letter walks you through what to look for and how to compare offers! (Also available in Spanish!)

How are you going to pay for college, a trade school, or cosmetology school next year? The FAFSA or the ORSAA is required by colleges and other organizations to attend there. The FAFSA or the ORSAA determines the aid that you can receive in the form of grants (free money) and loans (money you have to pay back) based on your families income. Here is what you should do at this point in time....

1) Go to the following website to see which application, FAFSA or ORSAA, is for you https://oregonstudentaid.gov/fafsa-orsaa/fafsaorsaa-information/.

2) If you determine that the FAFSA is for you, set up your FAFSA account by creating an FSA ID here https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. Both the student and ONE parent will need an FSA ID. After you and your parent have an FSA ID, you can complete the 2026-27 FAFSA.

3) If you determine that the ORSAA is for you, apply here.

**In order to receive the Oregon Promise Grant funds, free money for use at any Oregon Community College, completing the FAFSA or the ORSAA is required. To access the Oregon Promise Grant application go to this website https://app.oregonstudentaid.gov/.

The Oregon Promise Grant helps pay for students to attend a community college in Oregon. You must complete your FAFSA or ORSAA (depending on which one you have to complete), have a 2.0 cumulative GPA when you graduate, and have an SAI (student aid index, determined by the FAFSA) below 18,000 to be eligible for the Oregon Promise Grant.

July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 Graduates

The Oregon Promise Grant application is now open for students who will graduate between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Deadline varies by graduation date. Please refer to the chart below to determine the correct deadline. All students only have one opportunity to apply for Oregon Promise, based on their graduation date. Most students must apply by June 1, 2026.

Volunteering is a great way to help the community and to help build your resume with quality real life experiences. Check out this opportunity.

YouthLine General and YouthLine Work Study

This free college-planning publication provides students and families with important information and tools to guide their pursuit of postsecondary education. Opportunities guides are available in English and Spanish. The state-specific booklets are the same as the national booklets with the addition of state-specific information on colleges, financial aid, and resources. Oregon Opportunities English Version. Spanish version coming soon.

Are you interested in seeing what programs/majors are offered at local community colleges? Are you interested in getting into a trade like electrical, plumbing, or carpentry (and many more)? Are you interested in going to cosmetology school to learn about hair, nails, and makeup? How about going to tattoo school? Take a look at THIS DOCUMENT for links to explore these opportunities in the local area. See Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center for more information about these opportunities.

Do you like working with your hands? Do you like to see a project completed that you contributed to? Do you want a high paying job with no college needed and no college debt? An apprenticeship in the trades might be for you.

What is an apprenticeship? Watch this 6 min. Video

Apprenticeship requirements

Check out the options for high paying jobs in the trades at this website: Accessing Union Apprenticeships

Impact NW offers a FREE Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship program open to Oregon residents aged 17- 24 who have a GED or high school diploma and are interested in the Manufacturing trades.

Participants will gain:

• Welding Experience

• OSHA 10 certificate

• Forklift certificate

• CPR/ First Aid Certificate

• Certified Manufacturing Associate

• Hands-on experience building and designing their own skateboard

• CAD design and 3D printing

• Exploring local-based careers, apprenticeships, and post-education

Our upcoming cohorts for Washington and Multnomah County:

*SPRING 2026 Starts March 9th *Enrolling Now

To learn more about our program, fill out our interest form, and a staff member will contact you.

Bridge is a construction pre-apprenticeship program designed to support high school graduates ages 18-26 with pursuing a living-wage career in the construction trades through hands-on training and individualized career coaching. See this flier for more information.

American Fire Sprinkler Association - Any skilled trade

Beauty Changes Lives - Barber, Hairstyling, Cosmetology, Estheticians

Automotive Hall of Fame - Automotive Career

TechForce - All Motor Mechanics

Futuro Health - Healthcare Workers

Below is the schedule of when the branches of the military will have a table set up at the 2 lunches at CHS.

Air Force- TBD

Army- 3rd Wednesday of each month

Coast Guard- TBD

Marines- 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month

Navy- 1st Wednesday of each month

Oregon Army National Guard- 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month

See Mr. Henderson in the College and Career Center or email him at mike_henderson@csd28j.org if you want to set up an individual meeting with a recruiter from one of the branches of the military.

My name is Mike Henderson and I am the part time School to Career Specialist at Centennial High School. In this role, my job is to help students with their plans for after high school. Whether those plans include college, the military, going straight into the workforce, or going into an apprenticeship, I am here to help. These monthly newsletters will help you with important information and keep you informed. If you have any questions, you can always email me at mike_henderson@csd28j.org, call me at 503-762-6180 ext.5574, or just swing by the College and Career Center (right next to the CHS Counseling Office) to talk to me.

Email: mike_henderson@csd28j.org
Website: https://mikehenderson20.wixsite.com/website
Location: 3505 Southeast 182nd Avenue, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: 503-762-6180 ext. 5574