Providence Hall High School

The Power of Our Choices

Life presents countless small choices each day: how we spend our time, who we surround ourselves with, whether we tell the truth, or when we take responsibility. None of us make perfect decisions all the time. Strategic decision making is about awareness, pausing to think, weighing options, and aligning actions with what we truly value.

Over time, those small and intentional choices shape who we become. They build character, resilience, and integrity, forming the quiet foundation of who we truly are.

Albus Dumbledore told Harry Potter, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” He was reminding Harry that what defined him was not his talent or power but the way he chose to use them. Likewise, our abilities may open doors, but our choices determine which ones we walk through. They reveal our courage, our priorities, and our true character.

This week, let us challenge ourselves to be more mindful in the moments that matter most. Every decision, big or small, is a chance to practice becoming the person we truly want to be.

Please take time to review this week’s Principal's Update thoroughly—it includes important information about:

UPCOMING EVENTS
NEW ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES NEWSLETTER
SENIOR SECTION: Scholarship Seminar & Sterling Scholar Deadline
PATRIOT SPOTLIGHT: Veterans Day, Senate Youth Competition, & October Students of the Month
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Flag Retirement Ceremony, Basketball Tryout Information, Help for the Holidays, Family Support Resources, & Lunch Balance Fundraiser
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
RAVE REVIEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
& MORE!

Choose to have a great week, Patriots!

Melissa McPhail
PHHS Principal

THIS WEEK AT PROVIDENCE HALL

Mon. November 10: Jostens Senior Visit (Gym, 8:45am) || Boys & Girls Basketball Tryouts (see flyer) || Wrestling Practice Starts (Elementary Cafeteria, 4:30pm) || Frankenstein Play (Stage, 7pm)
Tue. November 11: HAPPY VETERANS DAY
Wed. November 12: Flag Retirement Ceremony (HS Parking Lot, 6-7pm)
Thur. November 13: Senior Scholarship Seminar (Rm. 103 7:20am or 2:40pm)
Fri. November 14:
Sat. November 8: Attendance School (Rm. 218, 9-11am)

ON THE HORIZON

Sun. November 16: Sterling Scholar Applications Due (Seniors Only)
Tue. November 25: Non-Friday Short Day (School Ends 1:15pm)
Wed. November 26 - 28th: No School: Thanksgiving Break
Fri: December 5: Midterm Deadline
Fri. December 12: Winter Waltz Assembly
Sat. December 13: Winter Waltz Dance (Semi-Formal, PHHS Gym)
Mon. December 22 - January 2: Winter Break
Wed. January 14: A Day Finals
Thurs. January 15: B Day Finals & End of First Semester
Fri. January 16: No School: Grade Transmittal Day
Mon. January 19: No School: MLK Jr Day

Senior Upcoming Events

Nov. 10: Jostens Visit (Purchase Cap & Gown)
Nov. 13: Senior Scholarship Seminar (Rm. 103 7:20am or 2:40pm)
Dec. 1: U of U, Weber State, USU & SUU Scholarship Priority Deadline & Westminster Early Action Deadline
Dec. 15: BYU Final Application Deadline
Jan. 1: Opportunity Scholarship Application Opens
Jan. 23: Opportunity Scholarship Priority Deadline
Jan. 24: Senior Dinner Dance (Tentative)

Providence Hall’s own Halle Francis and Reema Al Saadi recently competed in the United States Senate Youth Program competition. This national and highly competitive annual event selects two students from each state to receive a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C.

Halle and Reema represented Providence Hall with distinction as they competed against some of Utah’s top student leaders in three main events: essay writing, extemporaneous speaking, and roundtable discussions. “It was impressive to see how they immediately connected with other student leaders from across the state while demonstrating their own civic leadership skills and knowledge,” said Mr. Seabury.

Providence Hall High School teacher Mr. Seabury has served as a judge for this event for the past two years and hopes to continue seeing Providence Hall students like Halle and Reema represent the school with excellence.

Our Students of the Month exemplify what it means to be thoughtful, collaborative, and resilient. Each was selected by their respective departments for demonstrating strategic decision making, a strong work ethic, and a positive influence on those around them. Whether through academic achievement, teamwork, or leadership, these students consistently show integrity and initiative in all they do. They represent the best of Providence Hall, and we are grateful to have them as part of our school community.

Join the Navy JROTC for a powerful and moving Flag Retirement Ceremony in the Providence Hall High School parking lot.

Bring your family and friends to experience this solemn and time-honored tradition that honors our nation’s heroes and the flag under which they served.

*Wednesday, November 12th 6-8pm (HS Parking lot)

Coach Contact Information

Girls Basketball Coach: Jack Ballard, jballard@providencehall.com

Boys Basketball Coach: Alex Losee, alosee@providencehall.com

The Providence Hall community is eager to support families in need this holiday season. If your family, or a family you know, could use assistance, please complete this confidential form by November 21. Only the administration will have access to the information you provide, and your privacy will be fully respected.

To ensure we focus on supporting our own school community, we ask that nominated families have at least one student currently attending Providence Hall High School.

After the form is submitted, a member of the administration will reach out to discuss specific needs and how we can best offer support. Thank you for helping us come together in kindness and generosity during this season of giving.

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Child Nutrition Programs at USBE has an agreement with the Utah Food Bank (Utah Food Bank) to administer The Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).General information about the TEFAP program operations in Utah can be found on the USBE CNP Website.

Households which meet the The Emergency Food Assistance Program Income Guidelines may be eligible to receive food for home use. To qualify, adults must provide household size and income information on a confidential application at a participating food distribution location.

This list of TEFAP Sub-ERA locations is the most current information we have about participating locations where TEFAP may be received. Households are encouraged to visit the Utah Food Bank’s pantry finder for more information.

Households can also visit the https://211utah.org/ website or dial 2-1-1 for additional resources in their area.

Families can apply for free and reduced meal benefits at any time.

Last year, Providence Hall students had over $6,000 in unpaid lunch balances. Every family’s journey is unique, but together we can make a big difference! Your donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward reducing student lunch debt across all three schools. Help us make sure every Patriot has a healthy meal and the energy to learn and succeed. Join our No-Fuss Fundraiser and help support our students. Every dollar fills a tray and fuels a mind! Click the image below or use the following link to donate: https://sfnd.io/qnjw5

Cooke College Scholarship

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's top four-year colleges and universities. Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75. Families with annual gross income up to $95,000 are considered.

More information: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/

Deadline: November 12, 2025

Visionary Scholarship Program

Our Visionary Scholarship is a bi-annual award. There are five (5) awards given with each bi-annual deadline - with a total of ten (10) college scholarships awarded for each school year. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 each.

More information: https://americancollegefoundation.org/college-planning-visionary-scholarship-details/

Deadline: December 1, 2025

Denny's Hungry for Education Scholarship

Denny’s Hungry for Education™ scholarship program is awarding scholarship money to deserving high school and college students and helping bring communities together. Students must provide a 300-word (high school) or 500-word (college) essay on “How Denny’s can help bring communities together?”.

More information: https://www.ushli.org/dennys-scholarship-application/

Deadline: December 8, 2025