Thursday Round Up

22 January

Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash
News from the Homefront: 

Get Ready for the Global Health Case Competition!
​Do you love medicine? How about politics? Model United Nations, Mock Trial, or Debate? Maybe you are interested in Psychology or Sociology. Global Health Case Competition is for you! GHCC asks you to solve a real world public health issue working in teams. This competition is at the intersection of health care, public policy, and global issues. You will work in teams mentored by students in public health from UVA. Space is limited so let us know if you're interested! Interest form can be found here. 
Virginia Summer Camp Essay Contest:
​VirginiaSummerCamp.com is sponsoring an essay contest. It's open to students in grades 9-12 and adults. Share your summer memories for a chance to win prizes and recognitions.
​AWE Arts & Writing Contest:
We are excited to announce the return of the Arts in Western Education (AWE) Arts & Writing Contest! The deadline for submission is January 1-31, 2026. Winners will be published in the AWE Newspaper and invited to present art and writing at ArtsFest on March 27, 2026! A reception will also be held in February for submissions to the contest. More details are forthcoming. You can find out more information on our website Arts + Writing Contest (2026) — Arts in Western Education - Shining a light on the arts in western Albemarle County, VA
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.
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Winter Spirit Week!
Snowball Dance!
Food Drive
Governor's School:
Here are key dates you will need:​
  • World Languages Academy:
    • Complete your online application by 15 February – ​This is a change due to the possibility of inclement weather​​
Tomorrow is a(n) A day 

​Upcoming Events:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • 28 January – WAHS Got Talent
  • 31 January – Snowball Dance
  • 16 February – Teacher Work Day, No School for Students
  • 17 February – Professional Development, No School for Students
  • 5 March – Conferences
  • 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
  • 17 April – Model Congress
  • 23 April – Post High Planning Night
  • 23-25 April – High School Musical
  • ​2 May – Prom
  • 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

Delete Cyberbulllying is an essay contest with a $1,000 prize. Submit your proposal to end it by 28 February

The  Ántonia Scholarship awards a $1,000 stipend to high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in English. Submit by 28 February

Next Generation Short Story Awards invite you to send your best short story for consideration for awards and cash. Submit your work by 26 February

The Society for Professional Journalists sponsors a contest for high school journalists. This year's topic is misinformation. Submit by 22 February

The Chapman University Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Art and Writing Contest is taking submissions until 2 February (mail) and 4 February (digital).

Become a Ballotpedia Fellow! This is an 8 week nonpartisan project where students engage in research on politics. Apply by 4 February.

STEM

Action for Nature is an award for a young person who is involved in environmental action. Submit your application by 28 February

Get involved with the math modeling challenge with MathWorks! Register for the competition by 20 February

Genes in Space invites students in grades 7-12 to explore a topic of biology. Individual or partners.

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!

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

Visual and Performing Arts

#USvsHate invites students to create a campaign against hate speech. Submit your work to them by 27 February

Junior Duck Stamp invites you to submit a drawing to be featured on a stamp. Submit yours today!

The Chapman University Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Art and Writing Contest is taking submissions until 2 February (mail) and 4 February (digital).

The 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.

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

Scholarships for Seniors

100 Black Men of Central Virginia
Even though this scholarship may seem like it is only for Black Men, it is open to all people of color.  Generally speaking, if you have a 3.0 or higher and you fill out the application in its entirety, you will most likely win $1,000.  Can't beat that!!!   Due March 30.

Granville P. Meade Scholarship Application Now Open 
The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce that applications for the Granville P. Meade Scholarship opened on January 5, 2026. This scholarship provides financial assistance to academically successful Virginia high school seniors who have demonstrated significant financial need and plan to attend a public or private college or university in Virginia. 
Application Timeline:  
  • Opens: January 5, 2026 
  • Student Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026 
  • Final Awards Announced: April 3, 2026 
How to Apply:  
Students should submit applications through their designated school contact: 
  • Public school students: School counselor or principal 
 Detailed instructions and forms are available on the Granville P. Meade Scholarship page. 
For full details and application materials, visit the Granville P. Meade Scholarship page. 
 
The Allen and Allen Scholarships
are for students who have overcome challenges in high school. Financial need is also a factor.

The Application Process:
Complete the application form and submit it with a copy of your high school transcripts that reflect academic improvement and high achievement before the application deadline. In addition to these documents, applicants must submit two reference letters, one reference letter must be supplied by a teacher or school counselor, and a personal statement describing your biggest personal challenge and how you overcame it. 
Application Timeline:
    • Application opens: December 5, 2025
    • Deadline to submit applications: March 6, 2026
  • Recipients notified: April 10, 2026
  • Awards : $2,000
Requirements:
  1. The applicant must be a senior in a Virginia high school whose plans include advanced education through college, nursing, business, trade, technical training, or similar programs. Future plans are not required to be in Virginia. 
  2. All sections of the application must be completed in full, with all materials submitted together; incomplete applications will not be eligible for consideration. 
Four Ways to Submit Your George E. Allen Scholarship Application:
Please choose the option that is most convenient for you.
  1. Filling out the online application at this website
  2. Emailing your completed application and supporting documents to scholarship@allenandallen.com
Self Care:
​Scholarships
Do you need money to make post high a reality? Start with these two databases!
Are you the descendent of an Italian immigrant to the United States who is interested in Italian heritage and culture? There's a scholarship for that! And it's worth up to $12,000. Submit to the National Italian American Foundation by 1 March

The Vegetarian Resource Group sponsors a scholarship for vegetarians worth up to $10,000. Submit your application by 20 February

Davidson Fellows are people who have made a significant contribution to an academic discipline. Fellows receive $50,000 for their education. Submit by 11 February

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.  Juniors and seniors may apply. Submit by 15 February

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

Volunteer with the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont through their Garden Guardians project

Looking for volunteer hours? Arts in Western Education (AWE) is hosting an Arts Night Out for local elementary students at Crozet Elementary School on Friday, January 23. We are looking for several volunteers who can help support small groups of students as they participate in art related activities. The time of the event is 4:45- 8:45pm, and you can sign up here.

Summer's Coming!

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

Martha Jefferson Junior Volunteers
The Summer 2026 Junior Volunteer Program Application is opening (and closing!) earlier this year. As of today, the application is open. It will be closing on March 1, 2026. Please tell your students to get their application submitted early!  
 
Our perfect student: 
-Age 15-18  
-Expresses an interest in working in a hospital or healthcare field  
-Wants to help  
-Available for June 8 orientation  
 
All information about the programing, including the application, can be found here: Junior Volunteer Program at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. If there are additional questions after exploring the website, please reach out to us at [email protected] so the email does not get lost in the shuffle. 

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.

STEM Enhancement in Earth Science
The SEES Summer Intern Program is a nationally competitive STEM experience for high school students hosted by the University of Texas Center for Space Research. Interns collaborate with NASA, academic, and industry experts using mission data across disciplines such as aerospace, astronomy, planetary science, remote sensing, microgravity research, and space geodetic techniques. Projects are mission-based and aligned with national aerospace priorities, giving students the opportunity to build technical expertise in areas including data analysis, engineering design, and systems modeling. Through this research, interns also strengthen teamwork, communication, and professional skills critical to the nation’s future science and engineering workforce, while contributing to studies of Earth systems and natural hazards.
SEES APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 22, 2026 at 8:00 pm PT
NO LATE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED – NO EXCEPTIONS

"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

High School Activities

Many times students and parents ask about how many activities a person should do in high school, or they ask how can I show leadership in my activities? Having a strong resume isn’t only about applying to college. It’s how you get accepted into competitive summer programs, how you get hired for a job, or even how you win certain scholarships. Leadership can look a lot of different ways and it’s important to recognize that and celebrate it. Leadership isn’t relegated to student government or sports. Leadership is about taking the initiative and making things happen in any realm that appeals to you.

So, with that said, here is the advice I give to students grades 9-12 when it comes to what to do about activities and extracurriculars throughout high school. It’s not specific to any individual club or organization or pastime. It is kind of generic but it holds true.

In 9th Grade:
  • If it looks interesting, try it.
  • If it is no longer interesting, stop it.
  • If it seemed interesting but it isn’t any more, don’t do it again, and definitely don’t keep doing it
  • If you don’t know your options, come see me

In 10th Grade:
  • If you like it, get more involved
    • Run for officer 
    • Take on responsibilities 
    • Recruit people
    • Make suggestions
    • Plan activities
  • If you have an interest and not an opportunity, make one for yourself
    • Start a club 
    • Do an independent study
    • Get a club team going
  • Branch out in trying things, but prune the things that aren’t meaningful to you
  • Look for competitive opportunities that interest you 
    • Elite teams 
    • Summer programming 
    • Internships 
    • Jobs
  • If you don’t know your options, come see me

In 11th Grade:
  • Dig in – 
    • Take on a leadership role 
    • Offer to run an event 
    • Get involved in the group activities
  • Behave like a leader –
    • Mentor younger students 
    • Take initiative
    • Provide feedback
    • Cheer people on
  • Try something new that looks good – you’re getting older and your tastes are changing
  • If it doesn’t bring you joy and it’s a chore, stop doing it.
  • Look for competitive opportunities that interest you 
    • Elite teams 
    • Summer programming 
    • Internships 
    • Jobs
  • If you don’t know your options, come see me

12th Grade
  • Start making plans to pass the activity off to the next generation
  • Delegate to 10th and 11th and then oversee their initiatives
  • Be observant – what’s working well? What isn’t? Adjust and make changes
  • Look for competitive opportunities that interest you 
    • Scholarships 
    • Internships 
    • Jobs
  • This is not the year to add any new things that are not meaningful to you
  • Just come see me. By now we’re probably vibing pretty well

Leadership is like confidence. You have to do it to have it, and it can take a lot of practice. A good leader is someone who listens well, reflects, and makes adjustments along the way. But bear in mind that our tastes change as we grow. There is a reason 80% of college students change their major at least once. As you go through high school it’s not unusual for that STEM kid to realize that they want to move more towards history and policy. And it also isn’t unusual for that creative writer to find they love calculus. Be patient with yourself as you explore the things you like. And stop doing the things you don’t like.

On the Town

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