News from the Homefront:
Are You Ready? At WAHS We're ALWAYS BETTER TOGETHER!
Always Better Together is coming on 13 March! So get ready for some fun including a T-Shirt Design Contest! The winners will get $30 Amazon Gift Cards and their design on our shirt! Submit your design here. Questions? Ask Mr. Lazarro in the library.
Are You Ready? At WAHS We're ALWAYS BETTER TOGETHER!
Always Better Together is coming on 13 March! So get ready for some fun including a T-Shirt Design Contest! The winners will get $30 Amazon Gift Cards and their design on our shirt! Submit your design here. Questions? Ask Mr. Lazarro in the library.
JMRL Call for Submissions!
WAHS with a Cause:
Help us plan WAHS with a Cause this year and submit your ideas to make our community stronger! Got a great idea? Let Leadership know about it here!
Help us plan WAHS with a Cause this year and submit your ideas to make our community stronger! Got a great idea? Let Leadership know about it here!
Governor's School:
Here are key dates you will need:
Here are key dates you will need:
- Visual and Performing Arts:
- Adjudication films/video/portfolio due to the state: 3 December-14 January (please do not wait until 14 January!)
- Application due to me: 9 January
- World Languages Academy:
- Complete your online application by 31 January (NB. It must be started by 16 January)
Tomorrow is a(n) A day
Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Events:
- 19 January – MLK Day, No School for Students
- 16 February – Teacher Work Day, No School for Students
- 17 February – Professional Development, No School for Students
- 13 March – End of 3rd Quarter
- 13 March – Better Together!
- 19 March – Professional Development, No School for Students
- 20 March – Teacher Work Day, No School for Students
- 24 March – In School SAT Day
- 27 March – Arts Fest in the West
- 6-10 April – Spring Break
- 23-25 April – High School Musical
- 12 May – Last Day of Classes for Seniors
- 22 May – Graduation
- 25 May – Memorial Day
- 29 May – Last Day of School (1/2 Day)
Use Your Brain for Fun (&$)!
Photo by Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash
Humanities & Social SciencesApply for the Civics Unplugged 8 Week Virtual Fellowship. Deadline is 31 January
The Outdoor Writers Association of America invites you to submit your work focusing on experiences out of doors. Submit by 31 January River of Words invites students ages 5-19 to submit writing and art. The deadline for submissions is 31 January. The Ellie Wiesel Prize in Ethics is taking submissions until 20 January. This year's theme is Silence, Conscience, and Responsibility. Submit your response now. 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. |
Photo by ThisisEngineering on Unsplash
STEMWomen in STEM is a chance to earn up to $6,000 for college. Apply by 31 January
The Virginia Junior Academy of Science is taking submissions for its conference in May. Get your paper in now! 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! 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! |
Visual and Performing ArtsThe Outdoor Writers Association of America invites you to submit your work focusing on experiences out of doors. This is both a writing and a photo contest. Submit by 31 January
River of Words invites students ages 5-19 to submit writing and art. The deadline for submissions is 31 January. Student Cam is a documentary competition. This year's theme is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Submit by 20 January. 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 Never Such Innocence invites youth to submit poetry, art, or songwriting to their winter contest. It's open to students ages 9-18. |
Scholarships for Seniors
The Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (TJSWCD) is pleased to announce the availability of our 2026 Scholarship Awards!
The TJSWCD will award up to $4,500 in scholarships to students residing within the District (Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson, and the City of Charlottesville). Scholarship funds may be awarded entirely to one applicant or may be divided based upon the merit of the applicants.
The TJSWCD scholarship is available to full-time students who demonstrate an active interest in conservation and are enrolled in, or have applied to, a college freshman level curriculum. The scholarship must be applied toward courses for which the student will receive college credit, and the payment will be made directly to the student’s academic institution. In addition, one applicant will be nominated by TJSWCD to the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) to be considered for one of four $2,000.00 scholarships awarded to statewide winners.
To apply: Students must submit a completed application and have 3 letters of recommendation sent to [email protected]. We also require that official transcripts be emailed directly to us by the school counselor or administrator.
*Complete applications, including transcripts, are due to us no later than Friday, February 06, 2026 by 4:00PM. Late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted.*
Submitted applications will be reviewed and screened by the Education and Water Resources Committee. All applications and information contained therein shall remain confidential. Nominations from the Committee will be submitted to the VASWCD Educational Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors for final approval.
The mission of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Educational Foundation, Inc. is to provide educational opportunities to citizens of Virginia to become good stewards of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of all. Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Virginia Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, memorial gifts and other contributions have provided initial funding for the Foundation
All programs and services of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Educational Foundation, Inc. are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability. All submitted paperwork is confidential and becomes the property of the VASWCDEF.
The TJSWCD will award up to $4,500 in scholarships to students residing within the District (Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson, and the City of Charlottesville). Scholarship funds may be awarded entirely to one applicant or may be divided based upon the merit of the applicants.
The TJSWCD scholarship is available to full-time students who demonstrate an active interest in conservation and are enrolled in, or have applied to, a college freshman level curriculum. The scholarship must be applied toward courses for which the student will receive college credit, and the payment will be made directly to the student’s academic institution. In addition, one applicant will be nominated by TJSWCD to the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) to be considered for one of four $2,000.00 scholarships awarded to statewide winners.
To apply: Students must submit a completed application and have 3 letters of recommendation sent to [email protected]. We also require that official transcripts be emailed directly to us by the school counselor or administrator.
*Complete applications, including transcripts, are due to us no later than Friday, February 06, 2026 by 4:00PM. Late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted.*
Submitted applications will be reviewed and screened by the Education and Water Resources Committee. All applications and information contained therein shall remain confidential. Nominations from the Committee will be submitted to the VASWCD Educational Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors for final approval.
The mission of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Educational Foundation, Inc. is to provide educational opportunities to citizens of Virginia to become good stewards of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of all. Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Virginia Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, memorial gifts and other contributions have provided initial funding for the Foundation
All programs and services of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Educational Foundation, Inc. are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability. All submitted paperwork is confidential and becomes the property of the VASWCDEF.
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Self Care:
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Scholarships
Do you need money to make post high a reality? Start with these two databases!
Hey Robotics fans! Apply for the Burt Kamen FIRST Robotics Scholarship. It's worth up to $10,000 and is due by 1 February
McDonald's Hacer Scholarship provides up to $100,000 for students who serve their communities and are making a difference there. Apply by 17 February. The Roothbert Scholarship is open to students in Virginia whose daily decisions are guided by spiritual motives. It's worth $7,000 and is renewable. Apply by 1 February. Horatio Alger is a need based scholarship worth up to $25,000. It opened on 1 December. Juniors and seniors may apply. The Ellie Wiesel Prize in Ethics is taking submissions until 20 January. This year's theme is Silence, Conscience, and Responsibility. Submit your response now. It's worth $10,000. APIA offers scholarships up to $20,000 for students of Asian and Pacific Island descent. Apply by 15 January Profiles in Courage invites high school students to write about the courage of an American. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible. It's worth $10,000. Apply by 12 January 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! Amazon's Future Engineer Scholarship is worth up to $40,000 for students who have demonstrated need. |
Do Good Things for People
Volunteering is a great way to explore your interest through high school. Consider exploring some of these options.
Summer's Coming!
Looking for great things to do this summer? Look no further! And also don't skip this!
Girls Who Code
The Girls Who Code Summer Pathways program's applications are now open!
Pathways is a free, virtual program that empowers high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels — including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants — to explore AI, Game Design, Cybersecurity, and more, while learning how to build tech for good. The program is entirely flexible in how participants choose to learn and requires no prior coding experience. Students complete courses at their own pace over seven weeks, from June 29 to August 14.
Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through Partner Events with leading tech organizations, connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community, and join optional Student Hours for live support. Participants earn a certificate for each completed course and join Girls Who Code’s lifelong alumni network, gaining access to mentorship, internships, and career opportunities in tech.
Students can apply by February 25th for priority consideration. The application closes on April 10th.
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!
Girls Who Code
The Girls Who Code Summer Pathways program's applications are now open!
Pathways is a free, virtual program that empowers high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels — including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants — to explore AI, Game Design, Cybersecurity, and more, while learning how to build tech for good. The program is entirely flexible in how participants choose to learn and requires no prior coding experience. Students complete courses at their own pace over seven weeks, from June 29 to August 14.
Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through Partner Events with leading tech organizations, connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community, and join optional Student Hours for live support. Participants earn a certificate for each completed course and join Girls Who Code’s lifelong alumni network, gaining access to mentorship, internships, and career opportunities in tech.
Students can apply by February 25th for priority consideration. The application closes on April 10th.
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 Blue Ridge Center for Music and Creative Arts (BRCMCA) is conducting a series of programs for talented high school music and arts students in 2026. In order to ensure that no students are left out due to family income, all programs are offered on a full scholarship basis that includes instruction, meals, and lodging. All programs take place at our venues in Madison County, which include Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges in Syria, VA and Possums’s Store in Criglersville, VA.
We welcome your input on the programs and any assistance you may be able to provide in identifying qualified students and encouraging them to submit applications. Further information is available on our website (www.blueridgecenterarts.com) and applications can be submitted online on the website.
Planned 2026 programs include the following:
Visual Arts (June 7 – 12, 2026)
A series of workshops where advanced students work one-on-one with prominent, nationally-recognized artists, including guidance in portfolio development, practice in mindfulness techniques that can help them improve their focus, and public exhibition of their work. Workshop areas include oil, watercolor, and stone sculpture.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/visual-arts-2026/
Creative Music Composition (June 8 – 12, 2026)
A unique opportunity for students who are actively composing to work with experienced professional musicians/composers to finalize a piece and introduce it live or digitally at the end of the 5-day program. Workshop areas include improvisation, piano basics for composers, music theory and harmony, and exploration of topics that are fundamental to music composition.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/creative-music-composition-2026/
Music and Mindfulness (June 14 – 22, 2026)
An 8-day program that offers advanced level high school orchestral and vocal students a robust and rewarding opportunity to expand their musical skills, connect with nature, learn mindfulness techniques, and receive guidance and support on their paths to college and careers. Students will have the chance to expand their skills with introductory workshops in new genres such as jazz and bluegrass, and join faculty for lively jam sessions and collaborative concerts.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/music-mindfulness-2026/
Bluegrass Master Classes (June 22 – 26)
A five-day program designed to enhance and develop youth in bluegrass through one-on-one and small group instruction by nationally recognized bluegrass artists, jam sessions, and live performances. Target skills include the ability to interact with other pickers to jam and perform standard bluegrass tunes. Working sessions include banjo, bass, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and vocals.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/bluegrass-2026/
We welcome your input on the programs and any assistance you may be able to provide in identifying qualified students and encouraging them to submit applications. Further information is available on our website (www.blueridgecenterarts.com) and applications can be submitted online on the website.
Planned 2026 programs include the following:
Visual Arts (June 7 – 12, 2026)
A series of workshops where advanced students work one-on-one with prominent, nationally-recognized artists, including guidance in portfolio development, practice in mindfulness techniques that can help them improve their focus, and public exhibition of their work. Workshop areas include oil, watercolor, and stone sculpture.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/visual-arts-2026/
Creative Music Composition (June 8 – 12, 2026)
A unique opportunity for students who are actively composing to work with experienced professional musicians/composers to finalize a piece and introduce it live or digitally at the end of the 5-day program. Workshop areas include improvisation, piano basics for composers, music theory and harmony, and exploration of topics that are fundamental to music composition.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/creative-music-composition-2026/
Music and Mindfulness (June 14 – 22, 2026)
An 8-day program that offers advanced level high school orchestral and vocal students a robust and rewarding opportunity to expand their musical skills, connect with nature, learn mindfulness techniques, and receive guidance and support on their paths to college and careers. Students will have the chance to expand their skills with introductory workshops in new genres such as jazz and bluegrass, and join faculty for lively jam sessions and collaborative concerts.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/music-mindfulness-2026/
Bluegrass Master Classes (June 22 – 26)
A five-day program designed to enhance and develop youth in bluegrass through one-on-one and small group instruction by nationally recognized bluegrass artists, jam sessions, and live performances. Target skills include the ability to interact with other pickers to jam and perform standard bluegrass tunes. Working sessions include banjo, bass, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and vocals.
https://www.blueridgecenterarts.com/events/bluegrass-2026/
"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
Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
Admitted, Deferred, Denied
Early application results have come out and it’s important to know what these results really mean for you.
There are three things that can happen when you apply early to a college. You can be accepted, which means you have been offered a spot in the entering class at that college or university. You can be denied, which means you will not be given a spot at that college or university this year. Or, and this is often the case for many, you can be deferred. Being deferred could confuse you, but I promise you it is not the same as denied. It means that they want to see your application, and your mid year grades, with the rest of the applications they will get regular decision.
This does not necessarily mean that you will be denied in the next round. Because if they were going to deny you outright, they absolutely would have done it. And many colleges do this. Deferred means they want to see more from you. Maybe they want your midterm grades to see how you're handling your senior year classes. They might want to see who else is applying for regular decision. They might want to just wait and see how many other artists, politics, physics, economics, Spanish, Classics, creative writers they get. Maybe they want to know how many volleyball players, soccer stars, baseball players, or rugby players are on their way. Being deferred in no way means you have been or will be denied from a school.
What can you do if you've been deferred? You can try write a letter of continuing interest to the admissions office or your particular reader if you like. But check with the school because increasingly they are not wanting these. If the school accepts a LOCI, it is an especially good idea if this is your first choice school. Sometimes that can help. You can keep getting good grades and working hard. You can keep your end of the academic bargain by staying on top of your work and extracurriculars. And, as always you're more than welcome to come see me (after break sadly), your school counselor, or a trusted teacher to vent frustration, be upset, or complain or carry on about all the feels you have. We will always listen to you and talk with you about it.
What shouldn't you do? Don't treat it like an all out failure. It's not a failure. You were not denied. You didn't "not get in" to a school. And be careful about who you complain to among your peers as well, because a deferral is way, way better than a denial for those who applied where you did and got that response. Remember you have a shot still and they don't. Think about how bad you feel listening to your friends who got in while you got deferred. You just have to wait another couple months and you get a second shot. But those people who got denied, well, it's over for them at that school.
In the end a deferral is actually a really good thing, because not getting what we want all the time is excellent practice for the real world. The world is full of times we don't get what we want or don't get it when we want it. Figuring out the scale of and how to live with disappointment is a huge life lesson that we all have to learn.
There are three things that can happen when you apply early to a college. You can be accepted, which means you have been offered a spot in the entering class at that college or university. You can be denied, which means you will not be given a spot at that college or university this year. Or, and this is often the case for many, you can be deferred. Being deferred could confuse you, but I promise you it is not the same as denied. It means that they want to see your application, and your mid year grades, with the rest of the applications they will get regular decision.
This does not necessarily mean that you will be denied in the next round. Because if they were going to deny you outright, they absolutely would have done it. And many colleges do this. Deferred means they want to see more from you. Maybe they want your midterm grades to see how you're handling your senior year classes. They might want to see who else is applying for regular decision. They might want to just wait and see how many other artists, politics, physics, economics, Spanish, Classics, creative writers they get. Maybe they want to know how many volleyball players, soccer stars, baseball players, or rugby players are on their way. Being deferred in no way means you have been or will be denied from a school.
What can you do if you've been deferred? You can try write a letter of continuing interest to the admissions office or your particular reader if you like. But check with the school because increasingly they are not wanting these. If the school accepts a LOCI, it is an especially good idea if this is your first choice school. Sometimes that can help. You can keep getting good grades and working hard. You can keep your end of the academic bargain by staying on top of your work and extracurriculars. And, as always you're more than welcome to come see me (after break sadly), your school counselor, or a trusted teacher to vent frustration, be upset, or complain or carry on about all the feels you have. We will always listen to you and talk with you about it.
What shouldn't you do? Don't treat it like an all out failure. It's not a failure. You were not denied. You didn't "not get in" to a school. And be careful about who you complain to among your peers as well, because a deferral is way, way better than a denial for those who applied where you did and got that response. Remember you have a shot still and they don't. Think about how bad you feel listening to your friends who got in while you got deferred. You just have to wait another couple months and you get a second shot. But those people who got denied, well, it's over for them at that school.
In the end a deferral is actually a really good thing, because not getting what we want all the time is excellent practice for the real world. The world is full of times we don't get what we want or don't get it when we want it. Figuring out the scale of and how to live with disappointment is a huge life lesson that we all have to learn.
On the Town
- Tonight is DUMKY! a free Charlottesville Chamber Music Concert
- The Fifth Step is showing at the Paramount this evening
- Tonight it's Magellan at Violet Crown (see you there!)
- Tomorrow is Greg Brown's Sojourns in Solitude
- Saturday is a Book Signing for Wings of Fire
- Akeyla Simone performs at Front Porch Saturday
- Sunday is a Charlottesville Salon Concert
- U Ask, UVA Answers: Jonathan Lidner on Heart Care is Sunday
- Take a Poetry Writing Course! It starts on Tuesday
- Try a Screen Writing class on Wednesday
