Guidance Department News Lee High School Counselors

***************************REMINDERS***********************

• All 18 year old men are required by federal law to register for the US Selective Service.  You can register at the Post Office or through the Internet (http://www.sss.gov).

Work Permits - Must be issued electronically @ www.doli.virginia.gov 

“Stay positive.

Better days are on the way.”

~Unknown

Requirements for AIMS

In order to qualify for the AIMS Scholarship, a high school student must meet all of the following requirements by the date of high school graduation:

• Achieve grades of at least a “C” or better in each of the required high school courses

  • The required high school courses include:

    • 4 credits of English

    • 4 credits of Mathematics (Algebra I plus three additional higher mathematics courses)

    • 3 credits of Lab Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science)

    • 3 credits of Social Studies (History, Government, Geography, Economics)

    • 2 credits of a single Foreign Language OR 2 credits of Technical Courses in the same track

    • 1 computer related course

• Maintain a 95% school attendance rate from grades 9-12. (No more than 36 days missed)

• Have no out of school suspensions

• Complete 20 verified hours of community service before high school graduation

• Students enrolled in courses (or working on community service requirements) that are required for AIMS during their final semester of high school will be confirmed eligible/not eligible upon review of your final transcript.

• Complete the online AIMS/MECC Scholarship application at www.mecc.edu/scholarships.

• Enroll at MECC beginning with the Fall semester immediately following high school graduation and maintain enrollment each Fall and Spring semester until completion of the AIMS program

• For AIMS Scholars who graduated high school prior to 2017, you must maintain a 2.0 cumulative and a 2.0 semester GPA for each semester of attendance. For AIMS Scholars graduating high school in 2017, you must maintain a 2.25 cumulative and a 2.25 semester GPA for each semester of attendance.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov for each        

Scholarships

• ACT Registration:  Register at act.org/bts

• SAT Registration:  Register at sat.org/register

• George F. Cridlin Memorial Scholarship:  George F. Cridlin lived his life to serve others and support our community.  In his honor, a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one Lee High student and one Thomas Walker student who embody that same spirit of service.  To Apply:  Write a short essay on what community service means to you and how you can serve, even in uncertain times.  Why is it important?  Describe how you helped your community in the past and how you intend to serve others in the future.  Deadline: May 9, 2023

                                                     Dates to Remember

“No act of kindness,

no matter how small,

is ever wasted.”

~AESOP

******************************REMINDERS************************

• All 18 year old men are required by federal law to register for the US Selective Service.  You can register at the Post Office or through the Internet (http://www.sss.gov).

• Work Permits - Must be issued electronically @ www.doli.virginia.gov

• ACT Registration:  Register at act.org/bts

• SAT Registration:  Register at sat.org/register

• USDA 1994 Scholars Program:  Information and application can be found at https://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations/1994-tribal-scholars-program.

• Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Educational Scholarship:  Individual applicants must be Virginia residents and full-time students enrolled in or who have applied to college level curriculum.  Applicants shall document a class ranking in the top 20% of his/her graduating class or a 3.0 or greater GPA.  Applications available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  Early 2024

• Powell Valley Electric Washington Youth Tour: A unique opportunity for high school juniors.  Winners of the Electric Cooperative Writing Contest not only earn spots on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of our nation’s capital, but they also qualify for additional trips and thousands of dollars in scholarships and have a chance to network with other young leaders across the nation. 1) Only juniors in high school are eligible to participate 2) Every short story must be titled “Electric Cooperatives Connect” 3) Submissions must not exceed 900 words.  Visit youthtour.tnelectric.org to learn more about electric co-ops.  CO-OP Contact Person is Kelsey Bryant (kbryant@pve.coop)  Deadline:  March 1, 2024

• Virginia Bankers Association Bank Day Scholarship:  Current seniors with a 3.0 GPA and who reside in the state of Virginia are encouraged to apply.  Apply online at https://www.formpl.us/form/4691665834606592.  Deadline:  March 1, 2024

• USDA/1890 National Scholarship:  The USDA has two Scholars Programs that offer scholarships for students seeking a bachelor’s degree at an eligible 1890 and 1994 Land-Grant Universities in the field of agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or other related.  High School and current college students are eligible to apply for these programs which provide full tuition, fees, books, room and board, and a summer internship which may convert to full-time employment with USDA after graduation.  Deadline:  March 1, 2024

• Southwest Virginia LMU Alumni Association Scholarship:  This scholarship is for Lee County High School students that plan to attend LMU in the fall.  The following criteria must be met: Have not less than a “C” average scholastic ability; Have a need for funding assistance; Have three written recommendations from CURRENT school authorities; Submit an essay as to why you need money and future plans and aspirations.  Deadline:  March 9, 2024

• SWVA Dental Explorer Day: Local high school students interested in exploring a career in the dental field are encouraged to apply.  Apply online at https://apply.dentistry.vcu.edu/register/swva.  Deadline to apply:  March 11, 2024

• The Society of the Cincinnati History Essay Contest for College Scholarship:  The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia announces an essay contest for any Virginia High School senior who will attend any four-year college or university in the Commonwealth of Virginia beginning the Fall of 2024.  Deadline:  March 15, 2024

• Anne Rowe Student Scholarship:  Seniors enrolled in a business and technology program who plan to major in business and information technology are encouraged to apply.  Guidelines for this scholarship are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  March 15, 2024

• Buster Bynum Education Scholarship:  The parent/guardian listed on the application must have been an active employee in public school transportation during the “Past Three Years.”  This includes bus drivers, aides, monitors, mechanics, parts clerks, foremen, managers, trainers, supervisors, directors, and inspectors that work in public education.  The student applicant must have at least a 3.0 scholastic average, will graduate from a public high school, and will attend a post-secondary educational institution starting in 2024.  Deadline: March 15, 2024

• Horatio Alger Scholarship:  For high school juniors with financial need, apply online at horatioalger.org/scholarships. Deadline:  March 15, 2024

• Virginia School Counselor Association Scholarship:  Seniors are encouraged to write about a School Counselor, past or present, who has made a difference in their lives to win up to $1000 scholarship.  Apply online at https://vsga.org/ and click on the 2024 scholarship.  Deadline:  March 15, 2024

• 2024 Phyllis Hope Miller Scholarship:  This scholarship is to be awarded to a high school senior, with a parent/lega; guardian, sibling or the student who has/had been diagnosed with cancer, and who will be attending college in the fall of 2024.  There will be two $1000 scholarships presented.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  March 22, 2024

• Jimmy Snodgrass Memorial Scholarship:  Seniors who plan to pursue a career in the medical field are encouraged to apply.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  March 22, 2024

• Summer Language Institute:  The Summer Language Institute at the University of Virginia offers a wide range of options for learners. Students can choose from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Latin, Spanish, and Russian. The program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors, college/graduate students, and non-traditional students. During the last part of the program, students in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Spanish will take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPIc) to assess their language proficiency. Students learning Latin will be evaluated through the Avant (1 skill-reading). The deadline for applications is March 28. For more information, please visit the website.        

• Clyde W. Morris Memorial Scholarship:  To be eligible, a student must be a Virginia public school senior who has a parent or grandparent either currently employed or formerly employed in the public school pupil transportation field in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Deadline: April 1, 2024

• Fred S. Valentine Adult Continuing Education Scholarship:  The VAPT is offering two adult continuing scholarships in the amount of $500 each.  Eligibility Requirements - Must be a US citizen; Must have a high school diploma or GED; Currently employed in the transportation field within a public school system in the Commonwealth of Virginia at both the time of application submission and at the time of scholarship receipt; and Three years of experience in a public school district Transportation Department prior to making application.  Deadline:  April 1, 2024

• Sonny Merryman Memorial Scholarship:  To be eligible for the Sonny Merryman Memorial Scholarship, a student must be a Virginia public school senior who has a parent or grandparent either currently employed or formerly employed in the public school  pupil transportation field in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Deadline:  April 1, 2024

• Judy Barton Memorial Tourism Scholarship:  The Cumberland Gap Region Tourism Association has established this $1000 Memorial Scholarship to be presented annually to a high school senior attending either a public or private school within the Cumberland Gap Region.  Criteria for the application and selection may be picked up in the Counseling Office or on the website @ cumberlandgapregion.com.

• Woodway Ruritan Club: Applications available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 3, 2024

• The Anthony Fee Memorial Scholarship:  The Anthony Fee Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Anthony Fee.  Anthony was a hard worker and had a reputation of always putting others before himself.  Anthony worked in the coal mines for over 30 years.  He loved his job and took great pride in it.  Anthony was also very handy and was highly skilled in electricity, plumbing and building.  He valued education and using the things he learned to help others.  Anthony spent his life taking care of his family, friends and neighbors.  The family would like to honor his memory by offering two scholarships in his memory, a $500 college scholarship and a $500 trade school scholarship.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 5, 2024

• George F. Cridlin Memorial Scholarship:  George F. Cridlin lived his life to serve others and support our community. In his honor, a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one Lee High student and one Thomas Walker student who embody that same spirit of service. To apply, write a short essay on what community service means to you and how you can serve, even in uncertain times. Why is it important? Describe how you have helped your community in the past and how you intend to serve others in the future. Deadline:  April 15, 2024

• Virginia Sports Information Directors Rich Murray Journalism Scholarship:  This scholarship is presented annually to a graduating Virginia High School student who excels in the area of sports journalism and must be pursuing a college degree in journalism, communication, video, media or a related field with intentions of pursuing a career in sports.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 15, 2024

• Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation 2024 Youth Conservation Camp:  The Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts is sponsoring a week-long summer vacation camp at Virginia Tech from July 14-20, 2024. The Daniel Boone Soil and Water Conservation District will be accepting applications from Lee County students that are in grades 9-12 during the 2023-2024 academic school year.  Applications are due to the Daniel Boone SWCD and are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 19, 2024

• Blankenship/Justice Scholarship:  Recipient requirements listed in order of priority: 1) to be a child or dependent (including spouse) of a coal miner; 2) a disabled coal miner seeking a degree; 3) a person seeking a degree in a field reasonable to the promotion of a coal mine safety and health; and 4) high school graduate or GED certified.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 20, 2024

• Ikey Joe and Eleanor Chadwell Scholarship:  Senior females planning to attend Mountain Empire Community College in the Fall of 2024 are encouraged to apply.  Deadline:  April 22, 2024

• Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha Chi Chapter Grant:  Senior females who have chosen education as a career are encouraged to apply.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 22, 2024

• Jonesville Lions Club Scholarship:  Applicants must be a resident of Jonesville, VA.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 22, 2024

• The Friends of the Tobacco Festival Scholarship:  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 25, 2024

• Richard Stewart Memorial Scholarship:  Applications available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 26, 2024

• Wise County Chamber of Commerce Cheryl Richardson Memorial Scholarship:  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 26, 2024

• Cedar Hill Country Club Scholarship:  One scholarship per year will be awarded to a high school senior which is a member of Cedar Hill Country Club who meets the eligibility criteria of high school senior or graduate, who plans to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  April 28, 204

• Willard Brewer Scholarship: The Willard Brewer Scholarship is a $500 scholarship awarded to  student planning to major in education at an accredited college or university.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  May 1, 2024

• Cam Matlock Masonic Scholarship:  Applications available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  May 1, 2024

• Ford C. Quillen Scholarship:  Each year, a Lee, Scott, and Wise County/CIty of Norton graduating senior will be selected for this scholarship.  To be eligible, the graduate must be planning to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at Mountain Empire Community College or the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.  Applications are available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  May 1, 2024

• 2024 VSBA Student Essay Contest: The Virginia School Boards Association is holding a personal essay/speaking contest where the finalist will have an opportunity to present before an audience of more than 200 school board members and administrators at the 2024 VSBA Conference on Education held at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump on July 23,2024.  This year’s topic is: Kind Hearts, Strong Schools.  Apply online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024Essay.  Deadline:  May 6, 2024

• Cumberland Gap Region 2024 Talent Competition:  Vocals or Groups/Bands.  Applications available in the Counseling Office.  Deadline:  July 13,2024

Dates to Remember

• Food City School Bucks Challenge:  Link your Valucard online at FOODCITY.COM/SCHOOLBUCKS to start earning cash for Lee High School

• IMPORTANT: Cap & Gown orders need to be made as soon as possible. 

• Math Tutoring:  Tuesday & Thursday from 3:10 - 4:10 in Room 315 with Ms. Stewart.  Sign-Ups on Monday and Wednesday

• Math Tutoring available during the school day in Room 340 with Mr. Holsapple

• Seniors: Please stop by the Counseling Office to schedule your Senior Interview

• 4/12/2024: Kaleidoscope

• 4/17/2024: MECC Advising Day

• 4/19/2024:  Progress Reports

• 5/4/2024: Prom @ Meadowview Convention Center

• 5/17/2024: Graduation @ 7:00 p.m.

• 5/24/2024:  End of School (½ Day)

Lee High School Counselors

Sharon Fortner

sharon.fortner@lee.k12.va.us

Brenda Graham

brenda.graham@lee.k12.va.us 

LCCTC & 8th Grade Counselor

Renee Chester

renee.chester@lee.k12.va.us

Career Navigator, MECC

To Be Announced

Talent Search, MECC

Matt Fields

MFields@mecc.edu

Dual Enrollment & Governor’s School Coordinator, MECC

Christy Owens

COwens@mecc.edu

GRASP

Aleigha Cope

aleigha.cope@lee.k12.va.us

Lee High School CEEB Code:

471155

VCCS Virtual Computer Lab through MyMECC 

The VCCS has created a Virtual Computing Lab (VCL).  The Virtual Computers (VCs) are available for any VCCS student, no matter their device, and require a very small amount of bandwidth.

What will be specifically helpful for dual enrollment students is that they can use their Chromebooks to access the VCL, bringing MECC campus computers to their high-school Chromebooks.  For example,  if a student is in a DE - ITE 119 class, students can use their Chromebook to log in to MyMECC & the VCL and get a virtual computer with Windows OS and MS Office.  

The link below provides some basic information about the VCL and some short tutorials for accessing/using the VCL on various types of devices.  

Article - Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) (vccs.edu)

You can contact Ritchie Deel (rdeel@mecc.edu), helpdesk@mecc.edu, or Brenda Graham if you have any questions.  

Below: LEE HIGH News, Highlights, Sports Updates, LEETV, Guidance News and LCCT Center News

We invite all Alumni to send us a video update on what you have been doing. Just video a message 30 seconds or more and tell us your name and "Class of...". Then add what you have done since high school and what you are doing now. Add an inspirational message to our students if you like. Email your video to Angela Thomas (angela.thomas@lee.k12.va.us) and we will add you to our Alumni video segments.  All that we ask is that you be respectful in message and language. All episodes of Lee TV and Alumni Stories will be added to a page that will be under the "Quick links" link at the top of the web page.  

Lee Vocational and Technical School News