Thursday Round Up

20 November

Photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
News from the Homefront: 

I Will Be Out from 16-18 December
I will be out for an infusion during these dates for my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. I do this about every other year to keep it in remission. It's an easy treatment, but it's inpatient so I will be out. Those of you with early January deadlines who want help from me will beed to plan accordingly. Please come see me before the 16th if you want my help. I will not have access to email or phone while I am in the hospital.

Giving Tree at WAHS:
This holiday season, help bring warmth and cheer to Western families in need through our Holiday Giving Tree! 

The Giving Tree will support approximately 150 children, including Henley & WAHS students plus siblings, this holiday season. The counselors at Henley Middle School and Western Albemarle High School identified these families, who remain anonymous to Giving Tree organizers, as those most in need of community support. Due to health & safety concerns, we are opting to solicit funds to purchase gift cards, allowing families to do their own shopping. Our campaign​ will run from mid-November until Friday, December 5th. 

Your generosity will brighten the holidays for neighbors who could use a little extra support this year. Together, we can make sure every family experiences the spirit of giving, hope, and community.
Rho Kappa:
​Rho Kappa, the History Honor Society, sponsors a panel discussion of veterans each year.  We need help finding people who are willing to come to Western Albemarle High School to serve on the panel.  If you know a veteran who would be willing to come to WAHS during our Warrior Period or lunch period, please fill out this form.
​
Angel Tree:
Homerooms have made a commitment to support families this season. Please bring in your money to your homeroom!
Senior Photos:
Governor's School:
I will be setting aside 2 warrior periods a week to meet with people who want help with applications. Please look for these sessions in Adaptive Scheduler. I am also free during study halls, lunch periods (not Thursdays), and before school.
Here are key dates you will need:
  • Visual and Performing Arts:  
    • Adjudication films/video/portfolio due to the state: 3 December-14 January (please do not wait until 14 January!)
    • ​Application due: 9 January (for those who go through the county's adjudication)​
  • Academic Governor's School School Level Application (should be available on 10 October)​
    • Application due: 5 December
  • World Languages Academy:
Tomorrow is a(n) A day 

​Upcoming Events:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • 26-28 November – Thanksgiving Break
  • 7 December – Winter Band Concert
  • 9 December – Curriculum Fair
  • 10 December – Winter Orchestra Concert
  • 11 December – Winter Choir Concert
  • 12 December – Winter Drama Showcase
  • ​18 December – End of 1st Semester
  • 18 December – Winter Break
  • 5 January – Return from break
  • 19 January – MLK Day, No School for Students
  • 16 February – Teacher Work Day, No School for Students
  • 17 February – Professional Development, No School for Students
  • 13 March – End of 3rd Quarter
  • 13 March – Better Together!
  • 19 March – Professional Development, No School for Students
  • 20 March – Teacher Work Day, No School for Students
  • 24 March – In School SAT Day
  • 27 March – Arts Fest in the West
  • 6-10 April – Spring Break
  • 23-25 April – High School Musical
  • 12 May – Last Day of Classes for Seniors
  • 22 May – Graduation
  • 25 May – Memorial Day
  • 29 May – Last Day of School (1/2 Day)
​

Use Your Brain for Fun (&$)!

Humanities & Social Sciences

Hey there history fans, The Sons of the American Revolution have a $6,000 scholarship for those who can discuss the Revolution, Declaration of Independence or the framing of the Constitution.

Never Such Innocence invites youth to submit poetry, art, or songwriting to their winter contest. It's open to students ages 9-18. 

The 2025 SCP International High School Poetry Contest takes submissions until 31 December. This is open to students under the age of 19.

Polyphony is taking submissions of writing for its fall contest. Submit your work by 31 December for consideration.

The Poetry Society of America invites you to submit your poems by 15 December. First prize is $250.

Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation invites you to submit an essay. The deadline is 10 December.

STEM

Get in on Microsoft's Imagine Cup Competition. If you are a tech head, this is for you! And it;'s worth between $50,000 and $100,000!

Planning a career in STEM? REVPart wants to help you out. Submit an application by 31 December for a chance at $2,000.

Forensic Scientists of the future, how does $6,000 sound to you? Apply for the Fallen "Freaks" Scholarship. Due in January

Get in on the Cool Science Extreme Weather Art Contest. It's open to people in grades K-12. 

Join the Presidential AI Challenge! Do you have a plan for how AI could solve a community issue? Then you have a project! 

Programmers, get your plans in place for the Congressional App Challenge. WAHS has had a winner in the past so we can definitely do it again! Check the contest out!
Picture
Photo by Ari He on Unsplash

Visual and Performing Arts

Polyphony is taking submissions of art for its fall contest cover. Submit your work by 31 December for consideration.

Get in on the Cool Science Extreme Weather Art Contest. It's open to people in grades K-12.  

Artists, get ready for the New York Times' Local Lens Photo Essay Contest. Can you capture the magic that is WAHS in 6-8 photos? Due 15 January

Global Canvas is taking submission from people under 16 years of age. This year's theme is The Book of Life.

Never Such Innocence invites youth to submit poetry, art, or songwriting to their winter contest. It's open to students ages 9-18. 

The Science Without Borders contest is open to people 11-19. This year's theme is microscopic marine life.

Scholarships for Seniors

The Virginia Junior Chamber International Senate (VA JCI Senate), an affiliate organization of the Virginia Jaycees, is proud to continue to offer the future leaders of America an opportunity to earn scholarship money for the pursuit of higher education.  The application, requirements, and student checklist may be found on our web site at this link:
 
https://www.vajcisenate.org/scholarship  or here: https://usjcisenate.org/index.php/scholarship-program
 
Please note that in addition to scholarship funds for four-year colleges/universities, a scholarship offering for students planning to attend trade, vocational, or technical schools is also available.  Last year, there was only one applicant for this program from within Virginia and was an automatic winner.  We strongly encourage these students to apply.  Applicants should select “Vocational  Application” at the link provided above.
 
Application Instructions
Download and complete the application from the link provided above.
Students should assemble their application into a single PDF file ensuring that ALL attachments are included.  The pdf document should be no larger than 25 MB.  There are two methods of submitting the applications to me.  Students may email the completed application in pdf format to this email address by the deadline.  The second option is the send the hardcopy application via USPS or other delivery service such at FedEx.  In order to send hardcopy, applicants or their parents MUST email me at [email protected] for specific mailing instructions for hardcopy applications. Please see additional instructions at the Virginia JCI Senate website.  Emailed applications are not required but are appreciated.
 
Applications must be postmarked no later than January 12, 2026. 
The completed application in PDF format should be emailed [email protected]  by midnight January 12, 2026.
 
Two scholarships for college/university and one vocational scholarship will be awarded by the Virginia JCI Senate.  Winners are eligible to compete for additional scholarships from the US JCI Senate and will be notified with instructions for forwarding the completed hard copy application with original signature to Cindy Kinney, Virginia JCI Senate Scholarship chair.  

The Flusche & Fitzgerald Undergrad Scholarship Contest Award: $500 scholarship
Deadline:  November 30, 2025
Where to Apply: The Flusche & Fitzgerald Undergrad Scholarship Contest
Self Care:
​Scholarships
Do you need money to make post high a reality? Start with these two databases!
The GE Reagan Scholarship awards up to $40,000 to students with demonstrated leadership. Apply by 5 January.

The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards are given to young people who are making a difference in our world.  It is worth $36,000 and open to people 15-19.

Live Más invites you to be bold! They offer up to $25,000 to students who live out their bold, passionate dreams. This is a renewable scholarship!

Get in on Microsoft's Imagine Cup Competition. If you are a tech head, this is for you! And it;'s worth between $50,000 and $100,000!

Coolidge Scholars are juniors in high school who are passionate about government and civics. This is a full ride scholarship to the university of your choice. That means tuition, fees, room and board, everything.

Burger King offers a $50,000 scholarship for students who will graduate this year and plan to go on to college. Applications ar open until 15 December.

Cards Against Humanity sponsors the Science Ambassador Scholarship for women and nonbinary people. It's worth up to $20,000. Apply by 15 December.

Equitable Excellence offers up to $20,000 for students who are graduating in 2026 and will be entering college in the fall of that year. Submit by 18 December.

G2 Overachievers Grant awards up to $100,000 to people who go above and beyond in their community. Apply by 15 December.​

Amazon's Future Engineer Scholarship is worth up to $40,000 for students who have demonstrated need. 

Dell Scholars receive $20,000 for their education in college. Submit your application by 15 December. 

Do Good Things for People

How about a work day at Morven this Saturday?

Donate food to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Help with the Free Fridge project. People are hungry. Help them out.

In case you weren't aware already, the winter holidays are around the corner. Help out Toy Lift which serves our area. Or consider Mason's Toy Box.

Yellow Door serves families in crisis in our area. They would love some support.

Stepping Stones makes sure that families are off on the right foot. They would love for folks to support them.​

Bennett's Village is dedicated to making accessible playgrounds for people in our area. Volunteer or donate!

The Ishan Gala Foundation, whose mission is to help families struggling with childhood cancer has their Holiday Cheer Application up and running!

As the mom of a baby born at 25 weeks, two days before Christmas I know how important Lilypads Housing is. While we only had a 10 minute drive from our house to the UVA Hospital, many families are not so lucky. This is a difficult time of year to have a little one in the hospital. Support their work caring for the families of children in the hospital.

"The Best School" and "The Best School for You" should be one and the same. You're not buying a pair of shoes. You're going to school for four years. Just because it's a good brand name, doesn't mean it fits you or that you're comfortable there. 

How to High School

WAHS!

AP Classes


With registration coming up (alarmingly!) soon, I wanted to clarify information for students about AP classes and AP Testing so you can make informed decisions when you are registering for classes for next year. 

An AP class (AP stands for Advanced Placement) is supposed to be the equivalent of a college level class. Rarely is the class the same as an actual college class. Usually the class has a lot of material to cover, is rigorous in the volume of work to be done, labs included, facts covered, primary sources to be examined, or writing to be done. These classes tend to be a lot of work and should be taken by students who are committed to the subject matter and who enjoy the challenge of the work. 

It's always my recommendation that students challenge themselves in their learning. AP is one way to do this. But there are other classes that are challenging including honors classes and Dual Enrollment classes. Students who are passionate about chemistry should absolutely take AP chemistry. Students who love history should definitely take AP World or AP US History (APUSH). Students who love languages should go through the AP level. But if you are passionate about Calculus and you are not interested in literature, it's perfectly fine (and sometimes better!) to take a Dual Enrollment or honors level English class. Play to your strengths and passions. But do not overextend. A lot of APs means a lot of work. Just as I recommend a balanced load for the colleges you apply to, I also recommend that students carefully consider what AP classes they want to take. STEM people should definitely take the AP classes in Biology, Calculus, or Chemistry. But maybe they should take Dual Enrollment English instead of AP. Humanities and social sciences people should definitely take AP World, APUSH, AP Econ, or AP Psych. But they may want to choose AP Envi Sci over AP Chem (unless they also love chem) and AP Stats over AP Calculus. Stats and Envi Sci (which is the science of climate crisis, resources, and many issues related to politics, history, and policy) may be more useful to students who are interested in pursuing the social sciences or humanities. Just as the focus on writing in our DE English class is more useful for folks in STEM. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. Some kids are passionate about physics and literature. Amazing! Go for it!

Should you take AP classes? For now, at Western, we give a 1 point GPA boost for AP, Dual Enrollment, and honors. So it’s not going to benefit your GPA to take AP over the other two. Additionally, if you take DE classes (PVCC classes) and you know you will be going to school instate, your DE classes will be taken for credit with or without an AP exam. So a PVCC English class will automatically give you English credit at an in-state school. But an AP English class may only give you elective credit (you know, the classes you really want to take anyway). So for students staying in-state, a DE class may actually be a better choice. 

Another thing to take into account is that just as no one is required to take the AP class in order to take the AP exams, you are not required to take the exams even if you do take the class. AP exam results only go to the college or university you choose to attend. They are not like SATs or ACTs which go to all the places you are applying. You send them after you have chosen the school you will attend, and then you have to pay to send them. So you will probably pick and choose what to send anyway.  

Studies have shown that the difference between a student who take 4-7 APS and a student who takes more than 7 APs is negligible. Both prepare the student perfectly well for college. There is no need to treat AP classes like Pokémon: collect them all. What you need to do is consider more than just your GPA and “what looks good to colleges” on a transcript.

AP classes and tests are not Pokémon. There is no need to collect them all. Just because your friend takes 6 APs in her senior year doesn't at all mean you should. Load up on what you love no matter what the level is. Take photography, creative writing, yearbook, and Sports Medicine. Take team sports. Take journalism or practical law. But take what you love or it will be an unhappy year for all!

On the Town

Photo by Jared Sluyter on Unsplash
Events:​​​​