IRISH WEEKLY

Counselor's Corner

Important Events - Save the date

CCP OH/ID Funding Night – March 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

This will be an informational session to assist parents with the OH/ID Funding portion of the College Credit Plus Requirements for their students to participate in the CCP Program for the 2025-26 Academic Year.

Additionally – We are encouraging ALL parents of current and future freshman Classes of 2028 and 2029 to attend this meeting. STVM will be transitioning to having all students take CCP speech because this class is required for both high school and college graduation credits. This move also will free up space on students' schedules, allowing them to explore other course offerings during their time at STVM.

Junior Parent Night – March 25, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

We will be hosting a Parent Information Night for current JUNIORS and their parents/families to share important information about the college application process. This session will also include information on admittance/denial factors, scholarship opportunities and academic/leadership essentials for those interested in attending more selective colleges and/or pursuing highly competitive majors, programs and scholarships.

class of 2025 Merit Scholarship Recognition

Please save and make copies of all merit scholarship offers that students have received from all the colleges to which they have been accepted. Please note we just need merit offers--not loans, grants, etc. Your child should bring all copies of their merit scholarship letters to Ms. Jessica Henry, the College & Career Counselor, as soon as they are received, so they can be entered into Naviance. This information is critical for STVM and will also be included in the graduation program under your child's accomplishments.

PAST PRESENTATION LINKS

Below are links to the presentations given at STVM about College Financial Aid and College Credit Plus

Introduction to Financial Aid

College Credit Plus Info Night

2025-26 FAFSA Information

(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE 2025–26 FAFSA® FORM

NEW: The 2025-26 FAFSA (the FAFSA that current seniors should complete) is now available.

Parents/guardians should complete the 2025-26 FAFSA form as soon as possible. Here are some steps to take to be prepared:

Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).
Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.

ACT/SAT Testing

All juniors will take the ACT on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at STVM. This is a state-provided official test. No registration steps are needed for the March 11th exam. Students will create and log into the their MyACT accounts about a week before the test to ensure their test paperwork matches their accounts. Results can be accessed through each student's MyACT account, so students should keep their login information in a safe and accessible place for future use. This test score can be used for college applications next fall and will also contribute to a student's Superscore if he/she has already taken the ACT.

ACT

Click here to register for one of the upcoming National ACT Test Dates:

April 5, 2025

June 14, 2025

July 12, 2025

SAT

Click here to register for one of the upcoming National SAT Test Dates:

March 8, 2025,

May 3, 2025

June 7, 2025

Summer learning Opportunity

in corporate business/entrepreneurship

Learning About Business provides high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a week-long mini-MBA experience, providing an interactive business simulation while fostering creative problem solving. Held at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, LAB students get a taste of college life away from home. Students also have an opportunity to earn three college credits for their participation in LAB Week. Students received a flyer and application via their school email. Click here for more information.

SCHOLARSHIP & Post-Graduation opportunities

The counselors have been forwarding scholarship and other post-graduation opportunities to the Class of 2025 via their school email. Students should check their email regularly for information, eligibility requirements and deadlines. Recent emails were sent about the following opportunities:

The Ohio Natural Energy Foundation Scholarship deadline is fast approaching on March 1, 2025. Click here for more information.
The Hagan Foundation Scholarship application is March 15, 2025. Click here for details.
The Women for Greater Akron Charities is offering four $2,000 college scholarships. Seniors were sent an email with information. You can also click here for details and application packets.
The Summit County Retired Teachers Association is offering a college scholarship to students pursuing a degree in education. The deadline to apply is April 5, 2025. Information can be found here.
The Matrix Trade Institute has a five-month accelerated program and has placements/job opportunities in Auto Repair/Efficiency & Collision Repair & Refinish Efficiency.
The Yellow Tea Rose Foundation Scholarship (deadline March 31, 2025)

Please make sure that you are searching through your specific college websites/application portals (of colleges that you have specifically applied to) to find university and/or specific major/minor programs that offer scholarship opportunities since most of your scholarship monies will come from your specific colleges/universities (where you have already applied). Local scholarship opportunities will primarily come during the spring months.

StudentScholarships.Org is a great resource for external scholarships. Please click here for a list of scholarships currently accepting applications. Also, please click here to sign up for their newsletter.

Senior Information

Seniors should continue to visit Ms. Henry at her office during school hours for assistance with post-high school plans and for support with college applications. Parents may also reach Ms. Henry by emailing her at jhenry@stvm.com or calling (330) 253-9113 Ext. 136.

Seniors also should continue to check their school email for application information sent by the counselors. Please also check the scholarship section of Counselor's Corner as well as the application portals of the colleges to which they've applied or been accepted for valuable information.

Math Tutor

A math tutor is available at select times to assist students. Please see the LRC for details.

Meet The Counselors

Ms. Jessica Henry - College & Career Counselor

Ms. Henry has a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Akron and is a licensed School Counselor as well as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She has worked at the high school level for her entire career in the education field and loves being able to help students navigate the college/career process and everything that comes after high school. Ways that Ms. Henry can help students includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Planning and pursuing post-high school plans, including college, job placement, armed forces or other opportunities.
Supporting the creation and management of Naviance and the Common Application accounts for college-bound students.
Reviewing transcripts and providing documentation necessary for college applications.
Notifying students about scholarship opportunities and providing support as necessary.
Notifying students of college visit opportunities and student programs.
Assisting students in identifying resources and meeting requirements needed to pursue post-secondary education, including ACT/SAT testing, essay development, letters of recommendation and other college requirements.
Assisting students in researching college options.
Guiding students through CCP (College Credit Plus) applications/guidelines/questions, etc.
Helping students with AP (Advanced Placement) information/guidance/questions, etc.
Helping student-athletes with NCAA Clearinghouse registration and questions.

Ms. Henry is extremely happy to be a part of the STVM Fighting Irish and has numerous family members that are alumni. Ms. Henry can be reached by email at jhenry@stvm.com or by phone at 330-253-9113 Ext. 136. Go Irish!

about The Health and Wellness Counselors

In our commitment to educating the whole person, the Health and Wellness Counselors at STVM support all students' social, emotional, and academic needs. They are available during the school day to meet with students individually or in groups and conduct classroom lessons.

Ways we can help include, but are not limited to:

Working with students to communicate with parents, teachers, and administrators.

Helping advocate for the individual needs of students and families and assist them in advocating for themselves.

Working with students to help assess abilities, interests, and achievements to help them make decisions about their future.

Providing professional assistance and support to a student or small group of students during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change, or other situations impeding student success.

Recognizing and responding to student mental health needs and assisting students and families seeking resources.

Sharing strategies that support student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations

Providing referrals for students and families to school or community resources for additional assistance and information.

Ms. Tara McCants (Serves families with last names A-L)

Tara has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in School Counseling, both from Walsh University. She has been working as a school counselor for 11 years, with the majority of that time being at a school in Washington, D.C. Tara is happy to be a part of the STVM family, and she is committed to creating a nurturing environment where every student feels valued and empowered. Tara can be reached by phone at 330-253-9113 ext 131 or by email at tmccants@stvm.com. Students fill out a request to meet with Ms. Tara using this link: Request to See Tara. She looks forward to a great year!

Mrs. Amy Gay (Serves families with last names M-Z)

Amy has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Applied Conflict Management, a Master of Education in School Counseling, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Counseling, all from Kent State University. Amy has more than 12 years of experience working with youth and more than ten years of experience working in a school setting. Amy is very excited to start this journey at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School! She is passionate about her work to help students and their families and believes every student can become their best self. Amy strives to provide a calm, warm, and non-judgmental environment. If you have questions or need to contact Amy, you can call at (330) 253-9113. Ext. 182, email agay@stvm.com. Students can request to see Mrs. Gay by filling out this form: Request to see Amy (this is only for student use). Let's make it a wonderful year!