April 21-April 26, 2025

Highland Parent, Student, and Ram Supporter,

We are now at midterm, we have just a little over a month left in the school year. Please be aware of student attendance. Every day counts, especially here at the end of the year. 

This week is National Advisor's Day and Administrative Assistant's Day. We are so lucky to have such amazing College and Career Advisor's that work tirelessly to connect students with their post secondary goals. They are amazing and we want them to know that we love and appreciate them. Also, our Administrative Assistant's work hard to keep the school and our extracurriculars running smoothly. They are so awesome! We love and appreciate all they do. They are the best of the best! We are happy to celebrate them this week. 

HIGHLAND DRAMA PATTY DUKE AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to Highland Drama Patty Duke Award Winners. The Patty Duke Awards are a state award, kind of like the Grammys, for High School Students that recognizes outstanding achievement in musical theatre across the State of Idaho. This year Highland Drama students received the following awards:

• Outstanding Musical Theatre Production Highland High School's Performance Alice By Heart.

  • Invited to perform in Boise on May 16th. 

• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Highland High School's Performance Alice By Heart.

• Outstanding Performance in Supporting Role: Bella Minnig.

• Outstanding Performance in Lead Role: Milee Dayley and Cooper Powers.

• Outstanding Student Sound Design: McKenzie Winward.

• Invited to the Patty Duke Intensive Week: Chloe Leavitt and Cooper Powers.

• Invited to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Jimmy Awards) in New York City: Milee Dayley.

This is so amazing! We are so proud of our Highland Drama program and the recognition they deserve for all their hard work. Great job, Highland Drama and Director Van Noy!  They will organizing a fundraiser to pay for their trip to the Patty Duke's performance on May 16th in Boise.  

FAMILY CAREER & COMMUNITY LEADERS of AMERICA (FCCLA) STATE COMPETITION

At State FCCLA Competition last week, Highland student Eve-Lyn Baker took first place and will be going to Nationals in Florida this summer. Great job Eve-Lyn Baker! We are so proud of your hard work getting recognized.

POCATELLO ARTS COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S AWARD

Congratulations to Highland student Bella Mickelson who was awarded the Pocatello Arts Council President's Award last week at the ISU Art Show. Her piece was titled "Zipzilla." Way to go Bella! 

INFLUENTIAL EDUCATOR AWARDS'

Several Highland teachers were recognized by the President of Idaho State University at the 13th Annual Influential Educator event last week. Cade Ackley, Noel Benadom, Chase Collins, Camille Long, Teri Mitton, Jack Garrett, Erin Hatch, Staci Orr, Stefanie Plato, Ashlee Scherer, Taryn Sorrell, David Swenson, Austin Thompson, and Mark VanOrden. Each was nominated by students from Highland. It is awesome to see so many recognized. Great job Highland teachers!  

HIGHLAND PROM MAY 3rd @ ISU BALLROOM

Students, Prom is coming up on May 3.  The theme is Walking In Wonderland.  The dance will be held at the ISU ballroom from 8:30pm-11pm.  Prom tickets are now on sale in the Bursar’s office .  Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.  If you want to try your luck at winning a free Prom ticket, attend the baseball Hype night tomorrow on April 22 and softball Hype night next week on April 29, or Mini Golf night at Outback on April 30th.  Check out the social media account for more details about these events!

EXTRACURRICULARS'

Highland Band

Monday 4/21/25 Highland Symphonic & Band Festival @ Rigby.

Highland Orchestra

Friday 4/25/25 Highland Orchestra Large Group Festival @ Preston.

Highland Trouveres-Spring Cabaret

Tuesday 4/22/25-Friday 4/26/25 Highland Trouveres perform their Spring Cabaret, nightly at 7:30pm, at Calvary Chapel.

Highland Tennis

Monday 4/21/25 3:30pm Highland Tennis @ Thunder Ridge.

Wednesday 4/23/25 3:30pm Highland Tennis v. Canyon Ridge @ Capell Courts. 

Friday 4/25/25 2pm Highland Tennis v. Rigby @ Capell Courts. 

Highland Baseball

Tuesday 4/22/25 3:30pm Highland Varsity Baseball v. Thunder Ridge @ Westmark Field at Highland, JV plays right after the Varsity game. 

Wednesday 4/23/25 3:30pm Highland JV/Varsity Baseball Double Header @ Thunder Ridge.

Thursday 4/24/25 5pm Highland Varsity Baseball v. Poky @ Westmark Field.

Thursday 4/24/25 5pm Highland JV Baseball v. Poky @ Hawthorne Field.

Friday 4/25/25 3:30pm Highland JV Baseball v. Madison followed by game against Rigby @ Rigby. 

Saturday 4/26/25 11am Highland JV Baseball Double Header v. Rigby @ Westmark Field.

Highland Softball

Wednesday 4/23/25 3:30pm Highland JV/Varsity Softball Double Header v. Thunder Ridge @ Capell Park-Coverdell Field.

Friday 4/25/25 3:30pm JV/Varsity Softball Double Header @ Madison.

Highland Track & Field 

Thursday 4/24/25 12pm Highland Track & Field @ Highland Stadium.

Friday 4/25/25-Saturday 4/26/25 Highland Track & Field Tiger Grizz Invitational @ Ravsten Stadium-IF.

SUMMER SCHOOL INFORMATION

Summer school is online utilizing Apex with teacher support. Targeted in-person instruction and the summer school office are located at New Horizon High School at 955 W Alameda. If you have questions about getting your student registered for summer school please contact their school counselor. Please contact Amy Prescott, the summer school administrator at 208-237-2233 (phone call) or 208-244-0984 (text only) if you have questions after your student is registered.

Chromebooks: All summer school students will keep their chromebooks at the end of the regular school year. Summer school will not have chromebooks available for checkout. At the conclusion of summer school, chromebooks must be returned to New Horizon High School on or before Thursday, July 3, 2025 between the hours of 10AM - 2PM.

Teachers: Summer school teachers will be available to provide targeted in-person instruction, answer content questions and unlock quizzes/tests from 8:00AM-3:30PM on school days (Monday - Friday). Summer school teachers will begin contacting families the week of June 2, 2025.

Registration: In-person registration is only required if you DO NOT qualify for the grant and are paying with cash. You can pay online via Venmo @nhcsd25 (please reference your students name with your payment). We do not accept checks or debit/credit cards. Registration will be held on June 2, 2025 at New Horizon from 10AM - 2PM.

Summer School Attendance: Students are required to login and make adequate progress from home for a minimum of three (3) hours on school days or they will be marked absent. Student’s that have more than two absences can be unenrolled from summer school. Both, daily online attendance and daily adequate progress are critical to your student’s success in summer school.

Important reminder: Three (3) hours is the minimum time required each day. Apex is open 24/7 and you are welcome to work ahead and finish summer school early! As soon as you are finished with your classes you can begin enjoying your summer vacation!

ATTENDANCE

Please reach out to Principal Wallace prior to your student missing days for personal reasons-family vacations, funerals, club extracurriculars, etc. Here is the Highland Virtual Present Request Form you will need to fill out. Please reach out to Principal Wallace with any questions. 

COLLEGE & CAREER ADVISORS

Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Offers Made

The state of Idaho offered seniors two funding options to help pay for training or college: the Idaho Launch grant and the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship. Tuesday, April 15th is the last day to apply for a Launch grant and students who applied to the Opportunity Scholarship were extended offers about 10 days ago. Seniors, look in your personal email and if you have been offered the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, you need to log in to Scholarship Idaho and accept or decline the offer (which required a FAFSA be submitted and is good for up to $3,500 a year for up to four years) by Friday, April 21st. Do NOT delay. Any questions, stop by and visit with the CCAs.

ALEKS Testing on the Horizon

If your academic plan for next year includes your first time in dual-credit math or science, you will be asked to take an ALEKS test (a math assessment) and reach a certain score as a pre-requisite. Math teachers and the CCAs are reaching out to faculty and students to get everyone on board. Some math faculty are offering ALEKS right in their classrooms during class time, but there will be open opportunities for testing (or re-testing):

Monday, April 21, starting at 3 pm

Thursday, April 24, two start times: 2nd into 3rd hour; 4th hour into 5th hour

The ALEKS is untimed, which is a beautiful thing, so students can really work out problems and puzzle them out. It is proctored and offered on the honor system. The CCAs are glad to offer students ALEKS testing in the spring and will answer any questions students might have. Spring is the time to take such an assessment because a lot of math knowledge is lost over the summer. Please look at your academic plan and get signed up (with the CCAs in C-36) for ALEKS if dual-credit math or science is on your schedule for next year.

National Guard Career Fair: Friday, April 25

Our good friends in the Idaho National Guard are offering a career fair at their armory on Friday, April 25th, from approximately 9 am to 1 pm. Transportation and lunch will be provided. This is a great chance to meet with a variety of National Guard members, ask about their paths to service, the jobs they have in and out of the National Guard, and the skills and experience they have gained from the National Guard. Students who wish to participate need to be in good academic standing in terms of grades and attendance, and we need students to sign up for this opportunity with the CCAs in C-36. Students who participate will be school excused for the time they are with us at the National Guard Career Fair.

Seniors: Make. Your. Plans.

We have been with a fair number of seniors who have been admitted to a number of training programs or colleges, but who haven’t made a decision. We get it – it’s hard, it’s nerve wracking, but procrastinating or wringing your hands will not help you. Seniors planning to attend training programs or college have to let those places know and students need to plan: get financial aid offers and scholarships finalized, attend a new-student orientation, apply for on-campus housing, meet with an academic advisor. Lots of things. You will feel so much better after you make a decision and start the process of enrolling in college or training. But first you have to indicate your Intent to Enroll. Ask the CCAs for help of any kind (how to decide, how to establish an account at a college or training program, how to sign up for an orientation, how to access financial aid information, whatever).

Order Transcripts for Dual Credit

Seniors who earned dual credit for their coursework will need to order and pay for official transcripts be sent to wherever they intend to enroll. Highland offers dual credit through Idaho State University, College of Western Idaho, and College of Southern Idaho. If a student plans to attend Idaho State, he or she is all set; ISU already has a student academic record for you. Otherwise, the CCAs will help students order and pay for dual credit transcripts. Seniors will need a debit or credit card and will need to know their full Social Security number. Visit the CCAs in C-36.

My friend Dave called this period in the academic year hair-on-fire time: much to do, much to finish, much to reflect on, much to look forward to. Make a list (or multiple lists) and get stuff done. The CCAs and college counselors are here to help. Be careful out there, everyone.

Your friendly neighborhood CCAs,

Alice Rowe

Sarah May Clarkson

C-36

CONTACT INFORMATION-HIGHLAND PHONE (208)237-1300
Highland High School Administration 

-Dr. Brad Wallace-Principal (wallacbr@sd25.us) phone ext.103

-Travis Bell-Assistant Principal/Athletic and Activities Director (belltr@sd25.us) phone ext.105

-Ed.S. Jena Wilcox-Assistant Principal (wilcoxje@sd25.us) phone ext.104

-Dr. Steve Morton-Assistant Principal (mortonst@sd25.us) phone ext.107

Bursar

-Shelley Huelsman (huelsms1@sd25.us) phone ext.106

Registrar

-Elaine Whitehead (whitehel@sd25.us) phone ext.114

-Katie Schwartz (schwarka@sd25.us) phone ext.111

Attendance

-Mindy Murphy (murphymi@sd25.us) phone ext.115

-Sloane Lewis (lewissl@sd25.us) phone ext.135

Counseling Center 

-Tami Romriell=students with last name A-D (romrieta@sd25.us) phone ext.131

-Christa Santos-Smith=students with last name E-K (santosch@sd25.us) phone ext.109

-Cali-Ann Hilliard=students with last name L-R (hilliaca@sd25.us) phone ext.110

-Tricia Harvala=students with last name S-Z (harvaltr@sd25.us) phone ext.116

-Sarah May Clarkson=College & Career Advisor (clarksa@sd25.us) phone ext.123

-Alice Rowe=College & Career Advisor (roweal@sd25.us) phone ext.236

School Psychologist

-Amy Holloway (hollowam@sd25.us) 

IMPORTANT LINKS