Thursday Round Up

4 December

Photo by Alisa Anton 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.

Internship Opportunity
The Public Education Foundation of Charlottesville Albemarle is looking for a student intern.  The Intern would:
  1. Visit and videotape teachers in 6 public schools; three in Albemarle County and three in Charlottesville, including high schools, middle, and elementary schools.
  2. Teachers and school locations will be provided in advance.
  3. Set appointments with teachers for the taping.
  4. Project Timeframe: 8 weeks starting in January 2026.
  5. Estimated time by intern: 24 hours
    • Intern will report virtually every week of the internship to PEFCA Executive Director, Penny Harrison.
    • A stipend will be provided to include mileage and time. Amount TBD.
    • Intern might be eligible for academic credit based on school guidelines.
    • Intern will receive acknowledgement by PEFCA on the website and possibly the videos; videos can be used in students’ portfolio.
If you want to apply or know more, check out their site
Reminders from WAHS Admin
Three Notched Trail:
Can't make the meeting tonight? Fill out the survey
WAHS with a Cause:
​Help us plan WAHS with a Cause this year and submit your ideas to make our community stronger! Got a great idea? Let Leadership know about it here!
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.
WAHS Library Cookie Exchange:
Sign up with Ms. Curry or Ms. Linville and enjoy a super fun cookie swap!
WAHS Library Speaker Series:
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:
    • We will be testing on 9 and 10 December​​
Tomorrow is a(n) B day 

​Upcoming Events:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • 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.
LOCAL!
Find the form to submit here!

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.  
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

Support Hospice of the Piedmont and their Memorial Illumination 

Learn Mahjong​ and support the CASPCA 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.

Summer's Coming!

Looking for great things to do this summer? Look no further! And also don't skip this!

​​NASA
Those interested in aerospace should consider NASA's LiftOff Summer Institute! It's a week long program in Houston. This year the focus is on the Moon to Mars.

​BLAST
Part of the Space Grant Consortium, BLAST is open to 8th and 9th grade students interested in exploring engineering. For three days students live in college dorms and experience hands on learning. Applications are open right now!
The Radford University Summer Bridge Women In STEM program is an exciting way for high school students to engage with science and technology. Students have a chance to participate in fun experiments, learn some basics and beyond in many different fields, and make great friendships.  It is a week-long, residential, hands-on opportunity. IT'S FREE! We offer scholarships to students, they just have to make travel arrangements to be in Radford at the start of the program and travel arrangements home. Radford takes care of classes, meals, lodging and any local transportation as part of the program. They take students who will be rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Summer Bridge will take place July 12-17, 2026.
​
Application process
As a part of the application process for the Summer Bridge program at Radford University you are required to complete the online application form, write a 400-word essay describing your interest in science, mathematics, or information technology and why you would like to attend Summer Bridge, and submit a letter of recommendation from a counselor, teacher or adult leader.
We will award scholarship to students and invite them to join us for this program. Scholarships are based on applications and recommendations, so please be sure to make your case within your application below as to why you should join us for the week. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get a scholarship.
Student essay
The essay should be typed, double spaced, and uploaded to the application materials. You will be able to upload your essay at the end of the online application process. This essay is an important component to the application and scholarship selection process.
Letter of recommendation
You are also required to submit a letter of recommendation from a counselor, teacher, or adult leader in an organization in which you participate. The letter should include the recommender’s name, phone number, and email address. You will have an opportunity to upload this letter at the end of the online application OR you may mail the recommendation letter to:
David Horton
Radford University
Summer Bridge
P.O. Box 6936
Radford, VA 24142
Complete the online application
Once you have your 400-word essay written and saved to your computer, as well as a recommendation letter, please proceed to the online application
The Future Scholars Institute will return for its second year at Bridgewater College. This immersive summer program is designed to empower motivated high school students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences needed to excel academically and personally. Thanks to ongoing support from the Teagle Foundation, the program remains completely free for participants (tuition, housing, meals, field trips, supplies, etc.)—with a focus on students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds, as well as others who may lack guidance when navigating the college process.

The 2026 program will be held July 12–25 on our residential campus in Bridgewater, Virginia. Students are required to live on campus for the full duration; we do not accept commuter participants.
The Future Scholars Institute offers rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore themes of leadership, democracy, and civic responsibility through:
  • Faculty-led seminars using thought-provoking texts
  • • Workshops that strengthen writing, research, and communication skills
  • • Experiential learning, including a field trip to Washington, D.C.
  • • Peer-mentoring and community-building activities
  • Participants will earn two college credits upon completing the seminar, while gaining stronger academic skills, a clearer understanding of civic engagement, and greater confidence in planning for their futures.

More information and the application are available at https://www.bridgewater.edu/academics/future-scholars-institute/  Applications open December 1. The priority deadline is February 15, after which we will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis until capacity is reached. Early submission is strongly encouraged due to limited space.

"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. 

College Corner/How to High School

Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota

You Can't Do All the Things

By now everyone is aware that college has become increasingly competitive. Schools with a 30% acceptance rate 10 years ago are down to a 12% acceptance rate today. Why is this the case? Certainly the increase in selectivity, the spam-o-lot advertising, and ability to dive deep into the process on Tik Tok and Reddit, is driving students to apply to more colleges than they used to. But it’s also driving students to add more and more things to their resumes in an attempt to stand out from the crowds.

The reality is that schools that are hyperselective (Ivies, Stanford, Chicago, Georgetown, etc.) do not take students based on good grades and rigorous course loads. And in fact neither do the next tier down schools (NYU, BC, Notre Dame, UC Berkeley). A 4.0 GPA (unweighted) is the bare minimum in many cases. All of their academic admits – meaning not being recruited for sports – come in with the most challenging classes and best grades. They all have 10+ AP exams, 34 credits, etc. Academically that is the minimum necessary to even start thinking about applying to those schools. Every student who is competitive has excellent test scores, glowing recommendations, and plenty of academic talent.

So how does a student who wants to go to a very selective school (schools that admit under 25% of people who apply) distinguish themselves from the hoi polloi? One way is by focusing on activities. This is appealing to people for two reasons. Firstly, it’s something that you can control in this largely random process. Secondly, it’s something that we tend to have a growth mindset about. We know that practicing your viola makes you a better viola person. Drills and scrimmages make you a better player. Creating art makes you a better artist.

Our solution often is to do all of the things. Common App gives you 10 slots for activities and for students today, it becomes a competition to not just fill those 10 slots, but to also have such an extensive resume that not everything we do can even fit in there. Indeed, many students have asked me if they should put their extra extracurricular activities in the section called Additional Information at the end of the application for fear that not being able to include a club one did in 9th grade is what will keep them out of Duke.

I am here to tell you that you cannot do all the things. Not and do them well. Not and do them in a way you can speak articulately about or in depth. Not and do them in a way that is meaningful.

Students who come to me junior and senior year and ask if they should add more activities are looking to fill all those spots. But if they are also playing volleyball and lacrosse and do choir and youth group and are in the EMT class and are volunteering with the rescue squad and in 6 AP classes and babysitting on Sundays, they are a terrific Jack of all Trades. They are also frequently a Master of None. And colleges know this. Because they ask supplemental questions and evaluate the answers based on the insight you have into your activities. And people who do a lot because it “looks good for college” but not because they really care about it are not able to talk about it. They cannot reflect, make goals, or explain their curiosity in regards to what they do.

There are 24 hours in the day. You need 7-9 hours of sleep and an hour and a half for eating and hygiene. You are in school for 8 hours. Right there you are already at 16.5 hours. This leaves 7.5 hours in your day. Theoretically at least 2 of them are for homework. And about an hour of your day needs to be with friends and having some down time. So now you have four hours left. What will you do with those 4 hours?

We think busyness is a sign of talent or drive. But sometimes it’s just people spinning their wheels and getting more and more stressed about all the things they have to do. Parents, if we’re modeling this busyness we may be contributing to the stress. 

A better, more sustainable way is to remember this. For every yes, there is a no. The opportunity cost of adding a job? Sleep. The opportunity cost for playing another sport on the weekend? Homework time. For taking on that extra AP class? Time with friends. 

So before you decide to load up on all the things, remember that you are not Hermione Granger and you do not have a Time Turner. You are giving things up that matter to you when you say yes to something else. Moreover, remember that Hermione’s Time Turner basically made her bonkers. Don’t do this to yourself. Treat your choices for what they are: things with benefits and drawbacks.


On the Town

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