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Week 18: January 12, 2026

WELCOME BACK!!
- If you require a mid-year (7th semester) transcript for college admissions, your transcript is being sent around today! You do not need to pay for a mid year transcript if you paid for an initial transcript but please send an email or let me know to verify that you would like one sent.
- If you receive a defer decision, it is not a denial! It is a delayed final decision so that the school can review your application in the context of the entire applicant pool. We can send a mid year transcript….please let me know if you want one sent via email (you do not need to pay for a mid year transcript if you paid for an initial transcript). Many deferred students will be admitted for fall, so don’t dismay. Here is an article about steps you can take after receiving a defer decision.
Summer Programs
Fir Acres is a premier two-week residential summer creative writing program for talented 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Priority application deadline 1/1/26.
Join 60 high-school students from across the country.
Study and write with published, thoughtful and dynamic authors.
Generate your own writing in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.
Preview college life on Lewis & Clark's beautiful wooded campus.
Explore Portland, Oregon during class trips in and around the city.
COLLEGE
- THIS WEEK: Belmont University, Nashville, TN, 1/15/26, 1:30pm in Post Grad. Please sign up in Naviance or send Mrs. Sadler a note so that you can get a pass to visit with the admissions rep.
- Denver RMACAC Spring College Fair, March 9, 2025, 1:00p - 4:00p, Cherokee Trail High School, 25901 E Arapahoe Rd, Aurora, CO 80016
HRHS College Fair during Access, Thursday, March 13, 2025
Applications
- Does your college of choice have an upcoming deadline of January 15? Please check in with Mrs. Sadler ASAP! Some colleges require information from your counselor, and they require time to be able to complete it. You can check the college websites for specific requirements. Please also make sure that the deadline is correct in Naviance.
COLLEGE VISITS 2026 (JUNIORS and SOPHOMORES START NOW!)
· 1/15/26 1:30pm Belmont University Nashville TN
· 3/4/26 12:00pm Whitworth University Spokane WA
· 3/4/26 12:30pm Bushnell University Eugene OR
· 3/9/26 11:00am University of Arkansas Fayetteville AR
Bama In Your Town - Denver Edition
Join University of Alabama for an Information Session on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM at
ViewHouse Centennial (7101 S Clinton St)
Meet local recruiters and representatives from some of UA's top academic departments, as well as future classmates from your area. Register today!
Denver Rock Chalk Reception
Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 2:15 PM until 4:30 PM-7:00
Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows
10345 Park Meadows Dr
Lone Tree, CO 80124
United States
We're excited to bring the University of Kansas to you at Rock Chalk Receptions! These exclusive, out-of-state events are where you can learn more about KU academics and student resources, get the scoop on student life and traditions, and meet other future Jayhawks in your area. Register now for a location near you!
SENIORS!
As you receive your college acceptance letters, please let me know of any scholarship offers you receive. And that means EVERY scholarship offered....even if you don't accept the award. We report the total amount offered to our seniors. When you receive award letters, please forward the email, bring it in, snap a picture or email a typed summary....however it is easiest for you to send me the notification of the offer so that we can update our system.
- This includes any scholarship offered to you: need based, academic, athletic, etc.
- Please include the name of the scholarship, the total amount of $$ awarded and indicate if it is a one time scholarship or for all four years.
- Specific information (names, amounts) will not be published. The total $$ earned will be announced during our Honors Convocation ceremony in May and reported to the district.
- Please reach out with any questions you might have!
Points of Pride
I've been able to attend the Colleges that Change Lives and Jesuit Educational Tour meet and greets in which schools gave a 5 minute presentation (a snapshot of their institution). I'll highlight some points of pride over the next few newsletters.
University of Redlands provides a personalized, liberal arts education with small class sizes, strong focus on service-learning & study abroad, beautiful campus near mountains and LA, excellent faculty, and strong career outcomes in business and other fields, supported by D3 athletics and unique May Term experiences. It's recognized as a Top 10 Western University and Best Value, offering hands-on learning and a supportive environment for holistic student development.
Ursinus College offers a personalized, experiential liberal arts education with strong undergraduate research, fostering critical thinking and real-world skills, alongside a tight-knit, welcoming community, strong athletics, and a focus on social mobility and value, making it a good fit for students seeking depth, personal growth, and impactful learning experiences.
Wabash College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college for men, offering benefits like outstanding undergraduate teaching, highly accessible and involved professors, strong alumni networks, high success rates in graduate school and careers, and unique experiential learning through WabashX programs. Key reasons to attend include mentorship opportunities, leadership development, a focus on personal growth, diverse extracurriculars, and strong career outcomes, making it a great value for developing well-rounded leaders.
Wheaton College offers a Christian liberal arts education focused on integrating faith with rigorous academics, fostering critical thinking, strong community, servant leadership, and holistic personal growth, with high rates of post-graduation success in jobs or further education due to mentorship and hands-on opportunities like internships. It's known for its close-knit, supportive environment, small classes (10:1 ratio), emphasis on ethical reasoning, and development of well-rounded individuals prepared for diverse vocations, all within a distinctively Christian framework
Discover Your Gap Year!
- Speaker Bio: Katherine Stievater founded Gap Year Solutions in 2015 to emphasize the importance of college readiness when students take gap years. She is an Accredited Gap Year Consultant, and speaks to audiences across the U.S. about the profound impact that gap years have on young adults. Katherine collects industry data, writes and blogs frequently, and has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, NY Post, Today.com and other leading publications. Based in Boston, MA, Katherine has four sons who have taken Gap Years and gone through the college planning process.
11th annual UNC Future Teacher Conference
This free conference on Friday, February 6, 2026 is designed to help aspiring teachers learn more about the field, connect with peers and gather insights from Colorado’s leader in teacher education. We will also be welcoming back Steve Spangler as our keynote speaker to host an interactive start to our event that your students are sure to love!
Now in its 11th year, Future Teacher Conference features presentations and workshops facilitated by preservice teachers (current UNC students), early career teachers, veteran educators, and UNC Educator Preparation faculty. Anyone curious or exploring the field of teaching is encouraged to attend! Learn more about the conference here. BONUS! Three Future Teacher Conference attendees will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend UNC in the fall of 2026.
High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC)- powered by FirstBank
2026 CU Boulder High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC) - powered by FirstBank + PLUS is a free, statewide entrepreneurial competition that gives high school students hands-on experience solving real-world problems, developing ideas, and building confidence - with $25,000 in scholarships available!
Virtual Info Session Tuesday, January 13 | 6:00–7:00 PM (MT). Register for HSNVC Info Session HERE to answer all your questions!
Why educators and students love HSNVC
$25,000+ in CU Boulder scholarships available
Hands-on, project-based learning with real-world relevance
Engagement and valuable feedback from entrepreneurs and industry professionals
Strong alignment with workforce readiness and entrepreneurial mindset skills
New in 2026! Exciting micro-credential opportunity for students to earn digital recognition and set themselves apart
Deadlines:
Initial registration deadline: January 31, 2026
Team submissions due: March 25, 2026 (includes 4-minute pitch video and 1–2 page executive summary)
Registrations:
Venture Coaches: REGISTER HERE (each team needs one adult lead to serve at the primary point-of-contact and guide their student teams)
Students: REGISTER HERE (only one student from each team needs to register)
Learn more: HSNVC Website
High School Leadership Conference (HSLC)
High School Leadership Conference (HSLC) is a three-day adventure into leadership exclusively for high school juniors from across the United States. The conference will take place on February 20 to 22, 2026, on the OU campus in Norman, Oklahoma. The application is open now through January 19!
HSLC aims to equip, empower, and inspire high school juniors to realize their leadership potential through innovative and unique programming. Students who attend HSLC receive development that allows them to become better leaders, discover ways to positively impact their schools and communities, learn about working with others, and understand more about applying for and attending college.
Watch our video recapping the conference from earlier this year to see what HSLC is all about! We also encourage students to follow our Instagram account @cac_hslc.
Applicants do not need to be involved in Student Council and/or leadership to apply. This conference is for ALL students in organizations, clubs, and activities. Additionally, the High School Leadership Conference provides need-based tuition waivers of various amounts available for applicants requiring financial assistance.
Hotel accommodations will be provided for campers in Norman, OK.
If you or your high school juniors have any questions, please feel free to contact us at hslc@ou.edu.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Start planning which scholarships you may want to apply for:
- Check the Scholarship website on the HRHS website for scholarships and scholarship search engines to help you find scholarships that meet your qualifications.
- I update scholarships that are sent to HRHS seeking potential applicants weekly. It is sorted by application due date.
- I will also post some in this newsletter
Colorado Garden Foundation
This scholarship offered by Colorado Garden Foundation is a four-year full-ride scholarship available to an incoming freshman resident from Colorado at a publicly funded Colorado college or university. Applicants must be majoring in one of these fields of study: • Agriculture Business • Agriculture Education • Horticulture • Floriculture • Landscape Architecture • Botany • Plant Biology • Plant Pathology/Science • Nursery & Landscape Management • Environmental Horticulture • Agronomy. Applications must be mailed and received by the Colorado Garden Foundation office by March 15th. No applications received after that date will be considered.
The Denver Foundation Scholarships Are Now Open! 12/15-2/27
With more than 20 competitive scholarship opportunities available through a Universal Application, students submit one application to be considered for multiple awards. High school, college (undergraduate & graduate), trade/tech, and nontraditional students are eligible for our opportunities. Some scholarships may require their own separate application and follow different timelines, so you are encouraged to consider all of our available opportunities.
Application Open: Dec 15
Application Close: Feb 27
Typical Awards Range from $1,000 - $10,000
To learn more and apply: https://denverfoundation.org/scholarships/scholarship-opportunities/. If you have any questions please contact Adelita Aguirre, Scholarships Officer aaguirre@denverfoundation.org 303-951-9565
Grossman Scholarships
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is excited to announce that applications for the Grossman Scholarships are now open for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Scholarships of amounts between $5,000-$10,000 are available for graduating high school seniors.
- Scholarships of amounts between $5,000-$10,000 are available for those pursuing an undergraduate degree, either as a continuation of study or after a postponement of study*.
All applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education in Colorado at an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program.
Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
United States JCI Senate Foundation Vocational/Technical/Trade School Scholarship Application
- Graduating high school seniors in the United States, who reside in a state that has an active JCI Senate program and a scholarship chairperson. Check www.usjcisenate.org under the scholarship tab for a listing of participating states. If your state is not listed, you are not eligible to apply.
- STUDENTS MUST HAVE A GPA OF 3.25 AND ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this scholarship.
United States JCI Senate Foundation College/University Scholarship Application.
- Graduating high school seniors in the United States, who reside in a state that has an active JCI Senate program and a scholarship chairperson. Check www.usjcisenate.org under the scholarship tab for a listing of participating states. If your state is not listed, you are not eligible to apply.
- STUDENTS MUST HAVE A GPA OF 3.75 AND ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this scholarship.
George C. Evans Post 103 Scholarship
If you are a student living in the Littleton Post Service Area (South of Hampden, Ave, West of I-25 and NE of C470) and are a descendent of a Veteran, you qualify to apply for the $5,000 George C. Evans Post 103 Scholarship. Please email Mrs. Sadler for details. April 9 deadline.
The Cirkled In "No Sweat" Scholarship – $2,500
Award Amount: $2,500 (sent directly to the student)
Deadline: December 31st, 2025
- How to Apply: Free application at www.cirkledin.com/scholarships ;
Application Process: Free and easy application via the link above.
Eligibility:
- Any student in Grades 9–12
No GPA requirement
No income restrictions
No essay required
It's free, fast, and students love how simple it is.
Cirkled In: More Than a Scholarship – A Free Platform for College & Career Success:
This scholarship is just one piece of what Cirkled In offers. Cirkled In is an award-winning, all-in-one College & Career Readiness hub built for how Gen Z thinks and learns, helping educators and schools. It's free for students and teachers.
With Cirkled In, students get:
A holistic, shareable portfolio (academic + extracurricular) that travels beyond high school
22,000+ internships and jobs (updated daily)
Millions of dollars in scholarships (updated daily)
A curated library of 600+ articles, and videos for all their questions.
Coming soon: AI-Powered College & Career Matching.
DAR offers 31 scholarships through our National Society. To review those, please contact DAR.ORG/Scholarships directly. The requirements are listed for each with forms available to download.
The deadline is 11:59PM, January 31, 2026.
Rotary Scholarship
For Applicants who Intend to Major in SCIENCE or MATH. Application Deadline 2/28/26 and may be downloaded from www.universityhillsrotary.org.
- Permanent address must be in Rotary District 5450
- Applicants must be a United States Citizen.
- Applicant must plan to attend a Colorado college or University
- Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0+
- Must provide evidence of need.
Road Home Exteriors Scholarship
The Road Home Exteriors Scholarship was created to honor local high school seniors in the Denver Metro area who truly live out our company motto: Do What Is Expected, Then Do More. We believe in rewarding students who go above and beyond - whether in academics, leadership, community service, or personal growth. As a locally owned company committed to integrity and excellence in every roofing, siding, and window project, we’re proud to invest in the next generation of leaders who share those same values. This scholarship reflects our dedication to both our craft and our community. The scholarship is divided between four chosen applicants who best exemplify our motto: Do What Is Expected, Then Do More.
Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
The Sachs Foundation is now accepting applications for our Undergraduate Scholarship, supporting Black students in Colorado with $10,000 per year for up to four years of full-time study. Eligibility requirements: • Identify as Black • Have Colorado residency for at least three years • Be a graduating senior from a Colorado high school. All students who fit the criteria are encouraged to apply.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Your full high school transcript
- Two letters of recommendation from persons not related to you
- A one-page personal statement and an additional essay response (350-500 words)
- Your Student Aid Report (SAR). You can obtain your SAR by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you haven’t already done so, at www.fafsa.gov
- Information from your household’s latest tax return
- An additional educational, artistic, or professional file personal to you (optional)
Please note: Completed applications, with all materials, must be received by the Sachs Foundation by March 15th. Letters of Recommendation must be received by March 31st. Applications submitted past the deadline will not be considered. Any incomplete or incorrect statement will directly impact any consideration of your scholarship application.
Students who are identified as finalists for a scholarship will be notified in late April. Finalists will be required to attend a program in Colorado Springs in June. Final approval of an award will be made at that time.
White Rose Scholarship Foundation
A program of the Rocky Mountain Court System Inc., this foundation was created to award scholarships to ALL Colorado residents, enabling them to continue their college education. The money is donated directly to the schools with the stipulation that the scholarship award is to be used for tuition or to purchase textbooks. The eligibility criteria are that the applicant must reside in Colorado and attend an accredited higher learning institution. Application due January 14. See website for more details.
TESTING
Digital SAT practice is free and available to all students through the Bluebook™ testing app. Students can take a full-length digital practice test, view their results, and get linked to additional instructional materials, resources, and lessons on Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy®.
TUTORING
There are several tutors hoping to help students with various subjects or testing. A list can be found on the post grad website.
New Tutor Information
- Erika Smith, M.Ed., specializing in math tutoring, 720-810--0801 or erika.smith.hi@gmail.com
- William Judy, recently retired, 708-979-3589
HRHS NHS Tutoring
This is available for free in the Library every Access period, after school Mon-Thurs from 2:45-3:30, before school on silver days from 7:15-8:10!
Students sign up online for tutoring using this google form: Sign up for NHS Tutoring
What kind of help can you get from a tutoring session?
One-on-One tutoring session -- specific skill or assignment
A study buddy -- study and review for a test
A homework helper -- while you work on your homework
A writing coach -- organize your thoughts/edit your written work
A reading buddy -- help you with your assigned reading
VOLUNTEER
General Reminder: All seniors need to complete and turn in 20 hours of community service. Your completed hours are posted on your unofficial transcript. Need ideas?
Shredders Ski Team
We are continuing to prepare for the Shredders Ski Team season and are looking for passionate, enthusiastic volunteers to support individuals with Down Syndrome during their full-day ski lessons as part of the Shredders Ski Team with the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) at Winter Park Resort!
NSCD Shredders Ski Team Season Details:
Participants: Individuals with Down Syndrome, ages 5+
Dates: Saturdays, February 21, 28, March 7, and 14, 2026
Location: National Sports Center for the Disabled, Winter Park Resort
Volunteer positions start at age 16 and up
Interested in becoming a volunteer? The NSCD Winter Volunteer Application is Open!
Douglas County Libraries
Need community service hours? Volunteer to be a Teen Reading Buddy at Douglas County Libraries. Click here for more information. Check out more volunteer opportunities at DCL here.
Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition (DCHYC) Youth Leadership Board
The Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition (DCHYC) is currently accepting applications for our Youth Leadership Board for the 2025–2026 school year.
The Youth Leadership Board brings together high school students from across the county to:
Strengthen leadership skills through real-world projects
Work alongside community leaders, schools, and parents to improve youth health and well-being
Lead peer-driven initiatives focused on prevention, connection, and advocacy.
- RescueMinds Medical Learning- student-led nonprofit organization committed to increasing access to CPR and Narcan training in high school and college students. Apply to volunteer.
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science Guest Engagement Volunteer program. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer at the information desk, ticket scanning and greeting, while creating a friendlier and more convenient Museum space by serving as gallery guides and performing wayfinding assignments during special events and programs.
- The Aspen Effect offers leadership and volunteer services hours through Ranch Hand Jobs. Visit www.theaspeneffect.org to sign up (limited spaces).
MILITARY
Campus Visits in Commons
Army:
- February 4
Marines:
- January 14
- January 21
HONORING SERVICE MEMBERS
To honor the dedication and bravery of former HRHS students serving in the military, we have a recognition wall for service members at HRHS. If you know of a former student enlisted with the military, I would like to include them in our display case. It is an opportunity for our school community to express gratitude and support for these individuals. Please email me the contact info and I can reach out to them to include their name, branch of the military and a photo/write up if available.
Extracurricular Activities
Owl Club of Denver
Owl Club of Denver Debutante is recruiting outstanding African American young women who are 2026 graduates for the Diamond Anniversary of the Debutante Cotillion.
The Owl Club of Denver was founded in 1941 and received its charter from the State of Colorado in 1949. The Owl Club was organized as a men's social club at the prestigious University Club, but over the 84 years have implemented programs of educational, cultural, civic, and recreational value to the Denver community. To date more than 1600 young women have been recognized as Owl Club Debutantes.
If Interested, please email Mrs. Sadler for a nomination form.
Follow the HRHS Postgrad Instagram Page!