IRISH WEEKLY

Counselor's Corner

SCHOLARSHIP & Post-Graduation opportunities

The counselors will forward scholarship and other post-graduation opportunities to the Class of 2026 via their school email throughout the upcoming school year. We encourage students to look through this information regularly. We also will highlight some of the opportunities in this section of the Counselor's Corner.

The following link to College Now lists several scholarship opportunities. Please scroll all the way through and to the bottom to explore scholarships for which you may be eligible!
The following link from Stark State lists several scholarship opportunities for Northeast Ohio students. Click here to find the ones for which you meet the criteria.
The Akron Community Foundation provides scholarships from forward-thinking donors to help local students pursue their educational dreams. Please click here to visit its website and locate scholarships for which you may be eligible.
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 the newsletter.
Scholarships.com has valuable information as well as application links to all types of scholarships. It's worth checking out often to see if you might be a fit!

University of Dayton Marianist Leadership Scholars

Is the University of Dayton on your college list? Did you know that UD offers a scholarship worth $5,000 per year ($20,000 over four years) exclusively to graduating seniors from Marianist high schools through its Marianist Leadership Scholars Program (MLS)? This four-year faith, service, and leadership program is available to graduates who have demonstrated both an understanding and a practice of the Marianist story. Currently, six STVM graduates are participants in UD's MLS program. An application with essay questions, letters of recommendation and an interview are required. Visit this link to learn more and keep checking back as we expect the information for 2026 to be updated on UD's website soon and applications to open early this fall. You can also follow MLS on Instagram at @mls_udayton

College Visit Opportunities & Application Updates

*The following information was sent to STVM's counseling department by these universities/colleges and forwarded to students in the Class of 2026. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Students and parents should also register to receive admissions updates from any colleges you are interested in and/or visit their websites for more information about campus visits and events, scholarships and the application process.

Miami University Bridges Program

The application for Miami University's Bridges Program is now open. This program offers high school seniors a firsthand look at life at Miami University and is designed especially for students who are first-generation college-bound or who have demonstrated financial need.

During the Bridges Program, students:

Visit Miami's campus to get a sense of what it would be like to be a student there.
Engage with students and professors in a Miami classroom.
Stay overnight in an area hotel and eat in our student dining halls.

Click here for more information or see your STVM student email. Application deadline is September 26, 2025.

Michigan Application Update

The University of Michigan has introduced Early Decision as a new decision plan for undergraduate admissions, as well as a new essay question, and new academic program options. Visit this link or see your STVM student email for more information.

ACT and SAT Dates

There are several opportunities to take the ACT and SAT over the upcoming months.

For ACT dates and details, please click here.

For SAT dates and details, please click here.

Many 2026 dates are also listed so that you can plan ahead!

Volunteer Opportunity:

AKRON MARATHON

The Akron Marathon Race Series is looking for volunteers this fall. Volunteers can be as young as 12 (10 if they’re with a parent) and there are a wide variety of ways for students to get involved. Each volunteer will receive a volunteer t-shirt, lanyard, commemorative pin, and a certificate documenting the hours they volunteered.

FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay

When: Friday and Saturday, September 26 & 27

Location: Downtown Akron

To register, students can visit https://www.akronmarathon.org/volunteer/.

Students, please do not register using your school email address. The information they need for their volunteer shift will be emailed to them and the emails we send will be bounced back! For questions or to register a group of volunteers, please contact Katie Riley, Community Outreach Director, at 330-434-2786 or kriley@akronmarathon.org.

MEET OUR COUNSELING STAFF

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!

Health & 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.

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
Health & Wellness Counselor
(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.

Mrs. Amy Gay
Health & Wellness Counselor (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.