GRIZZ-O-GRAM

Julie Bleicker: 9th Grade Counselor

Alec Slinkard-Galpin: 10th-12th Grade - Students with last names: A-Ki

Laura Tagg: 10th-12th Grade - Students with last names: Kl-Z

Grace Rodriguez: College and Career Counselor

Karyn Barats: Counseling Office Secretary and Scholarship Coordinator

ATTENTION SENIORS

The Elks National Foundation Scholarship is now open for students to apply!

• “Most Valuable Student Scholarship” 500 scholarships worth $4,000 - $30,000 each. Deadline: November 12, 2026

• “Legacy Awards Scholarship” 400 scholarships worth $6,000 each. Deadline: February 1, 2027

Please check your student email regularly, and the bulletin board outside the counseling office, for the latest scholarship opportunities!

Ashland High School students are invited to volunteer at the Ashland Monster Dash on Saturday, October 24. Earn volunteer hours, support Ashland schools, and be part of a fun community event!

Volunteer opportunities include:

👻 Event setup
📦 Packet pickup
👕 T-shirt and hoodie sales
🧹 Post-event cleanup

Ready to help? Sign up https://ashlandmonsterdash.com/volunteer/

Sign-up for a 4-day session October 5-8 or October 13-16. For more information, a representative will be in the Library September 10 from 1:30 to 2:05. Flyers are available in the Counseling Office, and posted on the Volunteer board in the Library building.

Is your student interested in performing or fine arts?

Would you like to support equitable art education for K-12 students in the Ashland area?

We'd love to meet you at our next board meeting!

Monthly AHAA board meetings are held over zoom and are open to the public. Email us at info@ashlandarts.org to request a zoom invitation for the next board meeting!

Students are invited to participate in AHAA's Student Arts Mentorship Program!

AHAA's Student Arts Mentorship Program partners with local artists, teachers, and the Ashland School District to match students with arts mentors outside of the classroom. Whether you are someone who loves to paint or enjoys singing, this is the perfect chance to enhance your creative skills and participate in private lessons, mentoring, or arts programs and camps outside of school. Students who are interested in trying something new or would like to pursue something after school with their friends are encouraged to participate.

AHAA offers scholarships to cover the costs associated with each of these opportunities. To learn more and to apply for a scholarship, please visit www.ashlandarts.org/studentscholarships.htm.

Our transcript request PDF forms for current or former students are located here on the AHS website or attached below!

September was spent meeting with students one-on-one, delivering classroom presentations, and coordinating the workshops, college visits, and events you'll see on the October calendar below.

As we move into October, our Seniors focus shifts to college applications, essay support, and financial aid planning, including FAFSA and scholarships, while continuing to help students explore career options and postsecondary pathways through workshops and classroom presentations.

Please see attached resources for students and families that can assist with college essays, college and career exploration, scholarship searches, financial aid, and postsecondary planning.

If you are seeking support beyond the scope of general college and career advising, such as college-specific admissions strategies or individualized application consulting, I can provide referrals to local professionals who specialize in these services.

Click on Event to Register. Registration is required for all TCB events and helps me provide workshops and presentations that are most helpful to students.

Thursday Oct 1, TCB
Willamette University (Amaya Stanfill).
Meet with Amaya, a Willamette admissions representative to learn about majors, campus life, and the college application process.

Monday Oct 5, 3:15-4:15
College Essay Workshop
Receive personalized support from former college admissions advisor Karen Bolda as you develop and refine your college essay. Bring a completed draft or detailed outline. Register early, as space is limited, and this is for seniors only.

Tuesday Oct 6, TCB
Learn about college sports and recruiting with Charlie Hall.
How to navigate the college athletics and recruiting process with guidance from Charlie Hall.

Tuesday Oct 6, 3:40-4:20
Oregon State University + OSU-Cascades (Braxton Hill)
Meet with Braxton, an OSU admissions representative to learn about majors, campus life, and the college application process.

Wednesday Oct 7, 2:45-3:45
University of Portland (Evie)
Meet with Evie, an University of Portland admissions representative to learn about majors, campus life, and the college application process.

Thursday Oct 8, 3:15-4:15
College Essay Workshop
Please bring a structured draft or a solid outline for essay assistance. Register ASAP as there is limited time/seats, this is for seniors only.

Thursday Oct 15, 5:30-6:45
Finding Funds Info Session (presentation for parents/guardians/students)
Learn how to find and apply for scholarships, financial aid, and other resources to help pay for college and career training programs.

Monday Oct 19, 5pm-6pm
FAFSA Information Session for Families
This session will cover FAFSA basics, financial aid terminology, contributor requirements, timelines, and resources to help families prepare for the application process.

Wednesday Oct 21, 2:45-3:30
Reed College Visit (Maddie)
Meet with Maddie, a Reed College admissions representative to learn about majors, campus life, and the college application process.

Thursday Oct 22, TCB
UofO, University of Oregon (Ellie)
Meet with Ellie, a UofO admissions representative to learn about majors, campus life, and the college application process.

Friday Oct 23, 9am-11:30am
Southern Oregon PNACAC College Fair (Rogue Community College, Table Rock Campus, Building TRC-C)
This event is hosted by Rogue Community College. If interested, please register ASAP.

• More details about the event here: Southern Oregon PNACAC College Fair

AHS College Handbook: Check out the new 2026-27 AHS College Handbook, which includes information on how to find an educational pathway that’s a good fit, opportunities available at community colleges and four-year public/private universities, WUE schools, financial aid/scholarships, and many other useful resources. Hard copies of the updated handbook will be available soon in the College & Career Center.

ACT/SAT Info and Updates: Students applying to four-year colleges that require test scores usually take the ACT and/or SAT in spring of junior year and/or fall of senior year. The Oregon Public Universities no longer require test scores for admissions. Many colleges and universities are test optional. Check individual schools for current guidelines. Students register for the ACT and SAT online.

Students who qualify for a fee waiver for the ACT/SAT, should reach out to karyn.barats@ashland.k12.or.us in the AHS Counseling Office for a voucher before registering for either test.

Many of our students do NOT have to pay to take the ACT/SAT, AP tests, and can also receive tuition waivers and scholarships for SOU dual credit courses. To qualify for these benefits this school year, students/families must complete and turn in the Oregon Family Income Survey to the AHS Main Office to demonstrate their eligibility. You can find a link to a fillable PDF of this form at the end of the GOG. Hard copies are also available in the AHS Main Office.

ASPIRE at AHS: ASPIRE’s trained volunteer mentors work individually with students to explore education and career pathways. Mentors assist their students in researching colleges and training programs, preparing admissions and scholarship applications, understanding the financial aid process, and many other aspects of the road to post-secondary education and careers. Students who want to learn more about ASPIRE or sign up for a mentor can contact Grace.Rodriguez@ashland.k12.or.us

And here are a few more great resources: Oregon Goes to College, Get Schooled, Rogue Community College CTE Programs, Big Future, Niche, and Colleges that Change Lives.

Transform Youth & Family Counseling provides individual, family & group counseling, adhd testing, support for anxiety & depression, LGBTQIA+ affirming counseling, help with school stress & behavior concerns, family conflict & communication counseling.

Know someone who could benefit from our services? Please scan the QR code provided to complete our quick inquiry form. Once submitted, our Client Care Coordinator will contact the family, discuss their needs, verify insurance, and get them scheduled for an intake appointment.

Ashland School Counselors

541-482-8771 then press 4

Located on the Ashland High School Campus

Hours 8:00am to 4:00pm

Ashland School District uses the Safe Oregon tip line system.

A link to the tip line is located at the bottom of every school web page.

Who receives tips to the School Safety Tip Line? Specially trained technicians field incoming tips 24 hours- a-day, 365 days-a-year for all public schools Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Oregon State Police provides this service through a contracted vendor.

For details on how the tip line works, click here.

For a direct link to the Tip Reporting page, click here or on the image.