MSHS Counseling Newsletter
August 21, 2026
Counselor's Corner
Senior & Junior Postsecondary Planning Night
Senior & Junior Parents and Students! Please attend Senior & Junior College Planning Night on Wednesday, September 9th at 6:00pm in the Millard South Auditorium. We will be sharing information about the college planning process and will discuss applying to college, campus visits, scholarships, financial aid, how to request transcripts, and more. Please attend this important event! If you have any questions please contact your school counselor.
Youth Leadership Omaha Opportunity
Are you interested in a unique leadership opportunity? 32 sophomores throughout the Omaha Metro will be selected to be a part of Youth Leadership Omaha. Through Youth Leadership Omaha, sophomores will have the opportunity to engage in monthly hands-on community seminars with nonprofit innovators, business leaders, and public officials throughout the Omaha area.
Applications are open from August 17th to August 28th and the program will run from October until May. You can apply and learn more by scanning the QR code on the flier below. You can also email Mrs. Wiegert (ecwiegert@mpsomaha.org) in the counseling center with additional questions!
Save These Dates
The Counseling Department has great events coming up for you this year. Below is a list of event dates to review, add to your calendar if they apply to you, and get ready for a great year! Stay tuned for more information on each of these events as they get closer. Reach out to your counselor with any questions.
- Senior & Junior Postsecondary Planning Night: September 9th, 6:00pm
- Apply2College: October 1st, 8:00am-11:00am
- Cap & Gown Distribution: April 27th, 8:00am - 3:15pm
- College Decision Day: May 1st, 8:00am - 10:00am
College Planning
College Rep Visits Coming Up!
- Creighton University: Thursday, September 3rd; 1:08pm - 1:38pm
- University of Kansas: Friday, September 11th; 11:00am - 11:28am
- Gonzaga University: Tuesday, September 15th; 11:00am - 11:28am
- University of Missouri-Columbia: Wednesday, September 16th; 1:08pm - 1:38pm
- Virginia Tech: Thursday, September 17th; 9:05am - 9:35am
- Grinnell College: Thursday, October 1st; 10:15am - 10:45am
- St. Olaf College: Thursday, October 29th; 11:00am - 11:28am
Students can sign up to attend these visits via SchooLinks. Please reach out to your counselor or visit the Counseling Center if you have any questions about how to sign up.
Scholarships
Hastings College Scott Scholars Program
Applications are open for the Hastings College Scott Scholars Program, a $200,000+ full-ride scholarship for students pursuing business and STEM fields. It’s one of Nebraska's premier merit-based scholarship opportunities. To become a Scott Scholar, students participate in the Community Leadership Challenge. See dates below. To apply and learn more, visit hastings.edu/clc.
October 9-11 (application deadline: September 20)
December 11-13
2026-2027 Scholarship Database
Begin your search for scholarships by clicking on this LINK. Create your EducationQuest account today, and search over 2,000 scholarships available in Nebraska!
Career Planning
Check future newsletters for dates and details!
Career Rep Visits
Career Rep visits will be happening again this year in the Counseling Center! Check future newsletters for dates and details.
Log in to SchooLinks and visit the Opportunity Board to explore a variety of employment and volunteer opportunities!
Our Staff
Counselors:
A-Can: Kacy Thurman - kdthurman@mpsomaha.org
Cap-Fe: Liz Dickson - edickson@mpsomaha.org
Fi-Hl: Pam Cornett - pmcornett@mpsomaha.org
Ho-Loo: Michaela Sievers - mesievers@mpsomaha.org
Lop-Oj: Lisa Olsen - lcolsen@mpsomaha.org
Ok-Sca: Emily Townsend - emtownsend@mpsomaha.org
Sch-Wal: Jessica Hamzhie - jmhamzhie@mpsomaha.org
Wan-Z: Emma Wiegert (Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays) - ecwiegert@mpsomaha.org
Mrs. Wiegert is available on Mondays and Wednesdays (all day), and Fridays (mornings).
Social Workers:
A-L: Kristine Townsend - katownsend@mpsomaha.org
M-Z: Rachel Vacek - rhvacek@mpsomaha.org
Psychologists:
A-L: Courney Lohrenz - calohrenz@mpsomaha.org
M-Z: Eva Stalling - emstalling@mpsomaha.org
Administrative Support:
Kathy Slader - kmslader@mpsomaha.org (Registrar/Enrollment/Records, Scholarships)
Rose Moore - rmmoore@mpsomaha.org (College Rep Visits, College Transcripts)