Connections Newsletter

Class of 2028 and 2029 - Katina Dahl

Course Planning

During a recent Connections visit to English class, Mrs. Dahl worked with students to create a 4-year plan for their high school courses. Remember, this is a plan and plans can change. These 4-year plans will be helpful for students to reference during the course registration process February 23 – March 8. Students and families received more information from Mrs. Norman on course registration. Students can access their 4-year plan by going to Naviance > Courses > Manage Course Plans. Students will then open their current plan. This course plan is a good guide to reference while choosing classes. In Naviance, every course title in blue is a hyperlink to the course description and prerequisite/co-requisite requirements. We encouraged students to stop by Room 1104 with questions. We are here to help answer any questions about course choices based on post-secondary plans and interests.

Class of 2029

Skills, by definition, are the expertise, talent, and understanding needed to do a job or task. Freshmen who are in Mr. Perry’s world history class this semester recently completed a short self-discovery Skills Inventory in Naviance. Our goal was to recognize skills that are critical in the workplace that can be built over time - conscientiousness, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, and social-emotional skills. When students viewed these skills and recommendations for growth, the results highlighted how skills can be built over time, and which employment and career opportunities require similar skills. As job postings are adapting to a skills-based hiring practice, we want to prepare students to speak to and demonstrate their skills. To try a similar inventory, click here.

Save the Date

Upcoming Events in Connections

- March 2, 8:40: Whitworth University

- March 2, 9:35: Oral Roberts University

- March 2, 11:25: Geneva College

- March 2, 12:20: Colorado Mesa University

- March 3, 11:25: John Brown University

- March 6, 8:40: Missouri University of Science and Technology

- March 6, 9:35: University of the Pacific

- March 9, 10:30: Mini College Fair

- March 11, 12:20: Texas Tech University

In the Community

- March 2, 6:00-8:00: Christian College Fair, Evangel Christian Academy

- March 7, 9:00: RMACAC College Fair, Pine Creek High School

- March 8, 1:00: RMACAC College Fair, Cherokee Trail High School, Denver

Scholarships and Other Opportunities

Scholarships play an important role in paying for college. There are many scholarships available for merit, leadership, community service, academics, athletics, many fields of study, and for students who demonstrate financial need. HERE are some scholarship resources for juniors and seniors along with tips for winning college scholarships.

Scholarship reminder: Some colleges automatically give you merit scholarships based on your GPA/test scores. Some colleges have a scholarship application that sends your information to multiple scholarships. Some colleges provide links to outside scholarships. Even though you have been admitted (congrats!), there are still more steps to go. Apply for the money. You don’t know if you don’t apply! Read your emails. Scholarships play an important role in paying for college. There are many scholarships available for merit, leadership, community service, academics, athletics, many fields of study, and for students who demonstrate financial need.

Annual West Point Leadership & Ethics Conference of Colorado. The one-day conference for high school juniors (rising seniors) will be held from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm on Friday, 10 April at the auditorium and classroom facilities of Fellowship Denver - 1990 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80210. Register here.

The Sijan Chapter awards scholarships annually to outstanding high school seniors who have been accepted for enrollment at a college or university.

Colorado Girls State for high school juniors going into their senior year interested in government and leadership with high moral character and scholastic achievement will be held June 7-13, 2026 in Sterling, Colorado. Apply at Girls State – American Legion Auxiliary Department Of Colorado.

Colorado Boys State for high school juniors going into their senior year interested in learning about city, county, and state government will be held May 31-June 6 in Sterling, Colorado. Apply by May 1, 2026 at Home - Colorado Boys State.

Gazette Charities Best and Brightest Scholarship Program application is open for high school seniors with a minimum of 2.5 GPA, demonstrated community service, and vision for the future. Apply by March 16, 2026. Only the first 150 completed applications will be considered. Winners will receive a monetary scholarship, be featured in an article in The Gazette and on gazette.com and be invited to an in-person award ceremony.

The Junior Scholars Program at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, celebrates exceptional high school juniors who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and a genuine interest in High Point University. To be eligible for the Junior Scholars Program, current high school juniors must have an unweighted GPA of 3.6-4.0 and show leadership and achievement in academics, community service, the arts, athletics, entrepreneurial endeavors, or international adventures. Junior Scholars have the unique opportunity for non-binding early acceptance to High Point University and will receive an initial $2,500 scholarship per year to HPU, totaling $10,000 over four years. If an admitted applicant is eligible for any HPU merit-based scholarships in excess of $2,500 per year, the higher scholarship will be awarded in its place. Please see Mrs. Dahl in Connections by April 1 if you meet the criteria and would like to be nominated for this opportunity.

The 33rd annual Rocky Mountain Youth Leadership Conference (RMYLC) will be held 15-19 June 2026 at Colorado State University Pueblo for juniors and seniors. The Rocky Mountain Youth Leadership Foundation (RMYLF) will award up to 108 full scholarships covering all student expenses except transportation to and from the conference. Information about the conference is available at www.rmylf.org. information. For more information, see this RMYLC Student Fact Sheet. If you are interested in attending this valuable leadership opportunity, stop by Connections for a nomination and application instructions. Mrs. Dahl at kdahl@asd20.org, will be the high school point of contact (HSPOC) for your nomination and application.

The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative programs offer student scholarships and support services.

The Hagan Scholarship Foundation helps students with financial need to graduate college debt-free. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to eight consecutive semesters. Apply here by March 15.

MVEA Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students attending a traditional college, planning on attending a technical school, or interested in pursuing an engineering or line worker career. Apply by February 28.

HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) is a nationally recognized leadership program that empowers high school rising juniors to develop their leadership skills, discover their strengths, and learn how to make a positive impact in their schools and communities. The seminar includes interactive workshops, group discussions, and hands-on activities led by trained volunteers and community leaders. This year’s seminar will be held at the University of Denver, June 18-21, and the cost for the week is $425 to attend, which covers all lodging, meals, and materials. For more information about HOBY Colorado, please visit the website: https://www.hobycolorado.org/. If you are a current sophomore and would like to be nominated, please see Mrs. Dahl in Connections. Mountain View Electric Association Scholarship applications are due by February 28. Applicants’ parents or legal guardians must be currently receiving electric service from MVEA. There are a variety of scholarships available, and eligibility requirements are available on the MVEA website.

The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program offers need-based scholarships to juniors and seniors up to $50,000. Juniors apply by March 1. Seniors apply by February 15. Career and Technical Scholarship applications are accepted March 15-June 15.

The deadline to apply for the 2026 Call to Action Scholarship is February 20, 2026. This needs-based program is open to current high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA who are residents of AZ, CO, ID, IA, NV, or UT and plan to enroll full-time at a public college/university in fall 2026. Through the Call to Action Scholarship Program, the Foundation awards need-based scholarships to fund the in-state, full cost of attendance (up to $25K per year) at non-profit, public universities and colleges in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, and Utah. Open this 2026-27 Call to Action Scholarship Program Flyer to review eligibility and criteria.

The Colorado Garden Foundation is accepting applications through March 15 for its full-ride scholarship. Colorado Garden Foundation scholarship program awards financial aid to students in the following fields of study: agricultural business, agricultural education, horticulture, floriculture, landscape architecture, botany, plant biology, plant pathology/science, nursery and landscape management, environmental horticulture, and agronomy.

The Kinnikinnik Chapter Scholarship from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is accepting applications through March 20 from eligible Pikes Peak area graduating high school seniors for a merit-based $1500 scholarship.

Student Insights is accepting applications for the Student-View Scholarship through April 23.

Positive Athlete is now accepting nominations of high-character high school student-athletes (any sport that is school-sanctioned or club) who demonstrate leadership, resilience, and service. Any adult (athletic director, coach, teacher, guidance counselor, parent) may nominate. All nominees receive free, lifelong access to character, leadership, and career development resources, and are immediately eligible for all applicable Positive Athlete recognition and scholarships.

Military, ROTC, Service Academies, and Education Benefits

Are you considering joining the military, attending a service academy, or applying for an ROTC Scholarship? Here are some details for you. Step 1—always attend the Connections visits and opportunities in the community for the service academies. Check out this Military Enlistment timeline that lists milestones of the enlistment process.

Tuition can include military dependents as specified in the state legislature documentation. My recommendation is to check the VA services department at your colleges of interest.

One example:

Free tuition in North Dakota institutions of higher education. A dependent, as defined in section 15-10-18.2, upon being duly accepted for enrollment into an undergraduate degree or certificate program of a North Dakota state institution of higher education, must be allowed to obtain a bachelor's degree or certificate of completion, for so long as the dependent is eligible, free of any tuition and fee charges if tuition and fee charges do not include costs for aviation flight charges or expenses.

The Special ForcesTrust offers scholarships to students whose parent is a veteran of the US Army Special Forces. Additional military-affiliated scholarship can be found here.

More Resources

VA Education And Training Benefits | Veterans Affairs

GI Bill, Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills | Military.com

Education Scholarships for U.S. Army Special Forces Families

15 Scholarships for Military Children, Spouses, & Veterans In 2023

Over 100 Scholarships for Military Kids · Military With Kids