Big decision on college can make or break the bank

During a student’s senior year they have many decisions to make that will greatly impact their future. One of those important decisions that is on everyone’s mind is what should they do after they graduate. At Howell High School the majority of the senior class continues their education after high school, but in recent findings there is a large number of them dropping out between the first semester to the first year of college.

Not everyone is equally equipped for such rigorous course work accompanied at a university level, but there is still hope. There are many possible routes to take after high school to where almost everyone has an option for them.  In Michigan alone there are over 90 community colleges and universities. This is not including all of the exceptional trade schools that students may attend.

One staggering problem facing young Americans today is the rising cost of tuition. Scholarships and federal aid just don’t cut it, and eventually run out. With every passing year, tuition keeps getting raised. Now, more than ever, incoming freshman students are looking at community colleges and trade schools.  University tuition rates are nearly triple of community college tuition rates. Students have the possibility to save thousands of dollars. This option may be better for students who have not decided upon a major. If they decide to change in community college it’s better to waste $1000 instead of $10,000. As an added bonus to community college, students have more of an opportunity to work while they go to school.

“I was strongly considering community college for a long time,” senior Casey Josz explains. “Going to a university is going to cost me a lot more money.”

Another reason that attending a community college may be good for a student is because it is an easier transition to college from high school. The class sizes are usually smaller and offer more support. Professors have more free time and are easily accessible. Many students who attend a university right after high school have a hard time keeping up with the pace. Not to mention when going to a university most often you live on campus. For the first time teenagers are living away from their families. With that lack of support, students have a hard time keeping focused.

When going to a local community college there comes the advantage of living at home. Living in dorms can be a great experience to meet new people and the first real breath of freedom away from home. But there is a downside; the cost of room and board is very expensive. On top of that students have to purchase a meal plan. When going to community college you save on one of the largest contributors to graduate dept. Dorming is looked at as a personal choice and is in reality a glorified, overcrowded apartment with more restrictions. Also, students sometimes have problems with their roommates which can make for a miserable time.

“I don’t need to spend that kind of money to be cramped and room with kids I hate. I’d rather stay at home and have a job while I go to school,” senior Kyle St. John says.

College is a time for change and a chance to figure out life. Everyone is different and they want different things out of there college experience. It is a time to explore, try new things, and meet lifelong friends along the way, but that doesn’t mean you need to waste money in that process.

Senior finds online college application process frustrating

Congratulations! It’s the second semester of senior year. You’ve been accepted to college, high school is ending soon, prom and parties and picnics are coming up, and, if you believe your parents, this is the high point of your hopefully-long life (“What do you mean ‘that’s kind of depressing’?”). Your future is finally secure, and things are winding down academically. You can breathe easy.

Except there’s also student loans, financial aid, scholarship applications, housing assignments, orientation, class scheduling… it’s a cliché, but in some ways, the hard part has only just begun.

The electronic age has made many things easier. Though you might still have to forward some paperwork to your university, most of it is done online. However – and maybe it’s just me – when I’m required to do important things on the Internet (i.e. activities that don’t involve scrolling through blogs about baby animals in human clothes), I become disorganized, confused, and generally incompetent. This is bad news for my future self, who will have to deal with all the life-altering decisions I’ve made by clicking – or not clicking – a button.

I’m willing to admit that this is often my own fault. As previously stated, I’m easily distracted, and I tend to shut down when I feel overwhelmed by pressure. But sometimes things get bungled up over the Internet. Last fall, I signed up for a program called QuestBridge, which connects low-income students to high-ranking private schools. I went through the process and did not qualify for a full ride, but QuestBridge is nice enough to still let the plebeian failures like me apply to their partner schools. I chose Northwestern University and Wellesley College.

Through QuestBridge, I forwarded my essays and short answers to both schools, then filled out their specific essay portions and financial aid requirements on the Common App and FAFSA, respectively. A couple months later I received a rejection letter from Northwestern. A few days after that, I found out that Wellesley was notifying people of their application status – but not me. I sent them an inquiry and was told that they’d never even considered my application. They’d gotten my essays, my short answers, my Common App and FAFSA information, just like Northwestern… but because I didn’t have the intuitive sensibility to email Wellesley and personally tell them “hey, I want to go to your school”, my application sat unread in a slush pile for three months.

Even now, there seems to be a virtual disconnect between me and Michigan State, where I’m enrolled for the fall semester – though for a couple weeks after I submitted my housing application, my move-in date was mistakenly listed as January, 2013. And as a prospective student of Michigan State’s James Madison College, I was encouraged to go online and check my spot on their waitlist. The website didn’t recognize my MSU Net ID, though. I called the IT department, which told me to delete my browser history on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Firefox, and then try again. When that didn’t work, they found out that I wouldn’t be able to view the waitlist until I signed up for classes in June.

My point with this isn’t to complain or be negative about college. On the contrary – these things worked themselves out, so I’m not bitter, and I’m still in love with Michigan State. But I’ve learned that even – or especially? – at a time when such important life decisions are conducted over the Internet, it’s imperative that you stay focused and follow through. Check your emails. Then double check them. Recognize that people in charge sometimes have communication breakdowns and do things that make no sense, but if you’re determined, don’t let that red tape stop you from doing what you need or want to do. This is the beginning of the rest of your adult life. Try not to let the mistakes of others define it.

Top ten tips for moving into college dorms

The time is coming; for seniors, college is only four months away! It can be a scary thing at first, and the last thing you should be stressed out about is the move-in day. You want to make sure you’re just as comfortable in the new environment as you are in your own home. Here are some tips for having a successful, stress-free move-in day.

 

1. Measure your room first. Getting an idea of what will fit in each part of the room beforehand will make it an easier move-in; especially when you’re put in the dorm on the fifth story!
2. Hang a dry erase board on the exterior of your door so that friends can leave you messages. It’s a great way to get to know people on your floor and in your building.
3. Call your roommate prior to Move-In Day so that you can divide up items to bring such as a TV, radio, gaming system, fridge, microwave, or any other various electronics/appliances.
4. Bring posters and pictures of family and friends. Add some of your personality to your walls. Again, it will make it feel more like home, and gives you a say in self-expression.
5. Bring flip-flops or shower shoes for trips to the bathroom. Sharing a bathroom with eight other people, or even four depending on your dorm style, may not be the most pleasant thing in the world. It takes getting used to, because some living facilities may have grungier showers than others, so keep it safe with some simple flip flops and avoid the germs!
6. Do not use nails or screws around the walls in your room. Most housing contracts include certain rules in which if you damage the walls, you’ll be charged for it at the end of the school year. Instead, they make simple putty, that doesn’t peel pant or cause any other damage.
7. Ask your family and friends to send care-packages to you. There’s nothing better than receiving a care-package from home during stressful exams!
8. Bring your favorite food and snacks. It might be a while before you make it to the grocery store. Stock up in advance. It’s especially important to make sure you have a spacious fridge and potential cooking utensils so you can enjoy your favorite snacks and meals.
9. Bring the right equipment to haul your belongings, such as a dolly, especially if you live on the second or third floor. This will provide less stress on you and greatly ease the move-in process.
10. Enjoy the day, and get to know your hall mates. You’ll spend a lot of time in your dorm and around campus getting used to people and different things. Be yourself and relax.

 

Everyone goes through this the first time, and don’t feel like you’re the only one who’s nervous. It’s a huge change and also a new chapter in your life, it will take some getting used to. It’s important to make sure your move-in day goes smoothly. Follow these steps to have a successful move-in to your dorm.

 

Scholarship competition aids students’ dreams of pursuing music

This year’s Dr. Marilyn S. Jones Vocal Scholarship Competition took place on February 24 at the First Baptist Church of Howell. The competition brings about monetary prizes for competing students from around the county.

Judges were brought in from out of county and range in credentials. One of the judges was Douglas Armstead, a seventh and eighth grade choral music teacher at Steiner Chorale in Lansing and is on his 21^st year of teaching. The second was Greg Cleveland who has taught vocal music at Walled Lake Western for 20+ years. And lastly, there was Martha Sheil who is an Associate Professor of Voice at the University Of Michigan School Of Music, Theatre & Dance.

The prizes ranged from $1,000 for 1^st place, $500 for 2^nd place, and $300 for 3^rd place. The scholarships go directly towards college music instruction and tuition, voice lessons, or any type of music based camp. The money is donated by Dr. Marilyn S. Jones in remembrance of David Jones, Ralph and Suzanne Lange for the Harper & Virginia Maybee memorial, and the children and grandchildren of Rose and Kenneth Shultz.

During the application process, contestants are required to obtain a “letter of recommendation” so to speak, from a music teacher, a church choir director, etc. The form initially starts with whether or not the recommender does in fact recommend, and then asks for a rating of characteristics, such as vocal talent, desire to improve, maturity/stability, ability to achieve goals, and interest in pursuing vocal studies to help aid in the decision of the competition’s winners.

A handful of Howell High School students participated in the event, which is free of charge to enter, and two walked away with recognized places. Adam Sciberras, a HHS senior, won first place with $1,000 and Shelby McDowell, also a senior at HHS, took second place with $500. Last year, another HHS student also took first place, Hayley Jensen, who moved up from the previous year’s 3^rd place rank. Both scholarships awarded to Sciberras and McDowell will go towards their choice of educational/musical tuition.

“I think it’s a great way for students to see other singers from around Livingston County in other high schools,” says Sciberras. “It’s a great experience and is such a great opportunity. We are so lucky to have it here. I was really surprised when they had announced I won first place. There were some great singers and it was a great competition this year. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful opportunity here as high school students.”

The competition was at its finest this year with more students competing than the last year. As the number of competitors grows, so does the quality. The founders of the scholarship competition are excited to see what the next few years bring and are thankful to see their donations going to well deserving students.

“At first I hadn’t planned on entering because I felt I had more important things to focus on,” says McDowell. “But my mom convinced me to do it and I am so happy that I did. When my name was called for 2^nd place I was extremely surprised considering the competition I was faced with, but it’s a great honor. Having the extra money toward my education is an amazing help. If I ever get another chance to sing in a competition, I won’t even think twice.”

Athletes sign to play in college: four commit for football, one for volleyball

On Wednesday, February 6, five Howell athletes signed on the dotted line and sealed the deal for their academic and athletic future. Peter Cender, Scott Wetzel, Nate Hughes, and Carl Pietila all signed for football while Megan Gebhard signed for volleyball.

“I think it is great for our program and these players to get the opportunity to play at the next level. I think it speaks to these players’ dedication and love for the sport of football. I am excited to watch and hear about their progress and achievements at the next level,” says Howell football coach Aaron Metz.

Three sport letter athlete, Pete Cender, signed to become a Falcon at Air Force. Cender, the Highlander’s tight end and linebacker was out a majority of the season with a knee injury.

Cender had 13 yards per catch this season. Cender had many Division One offers but chose to stick with Air Force.

Scott Wetzel, the 6’3” linebacker and tight end for the Highlanders signed with Saginaw Valley State University.

“Saginaw Valley is a great school. I love their football team and they have a really nice football facility. It’s a great program,” states Wetzel.

Wetzel had 399 receiving yards this year, averaging 44.3 yards a game. He stepped up while battling injuries and was a major contributor to the Highlander’s success.

“I have had one goal since I was a little kid and that was to play college football. I feel so good that I have the opportunity to play. I’m very excited,’ says Wetzel who had numerous offers from most of the GLIAC schools and two MAC schools.

Wetzel finished his high school career receiving awards, including first team all KLAA and all-state honorable mention.

Nate Hughes had a hard time deciding between Findlay and Notre Dame College, but he decided on Findlay Tuesday.

“I decided on Findlay because I want to play in the GLIAC and win football games,” says Hughes.

The 6’1” lineman played a key role this season on both sides of the ball. Hughes, dominating in offense and defense, received All County for the past two years and made KLAA Honorable Mention All League.

Along with Notre Dame College, Wittenburg University and Adrian College showed interest in Hughes.

“I’m excited to play at the next level. I’ve been playing ball for 11 years so for all that hard work to be worth something really means a lot to me,” says Hughes.

Carl Pietila, a 6’4” offensive lineman and defensive lineman, committed to Michigan Tech.

“I feel very lucky to have this opportunity. Tech is a great engineering school,” Pietila states.

Pietila plans to go into biomedical engineering. The outdoors feature and close family helped Pietila make the decision.

“I mainly picked Michigan Tech because I have family that goes there and I really like the area,” says Pietila.

Pietila received First Team All-KLAA this year.

“I think all of these players have a great work ethic and passion for football. They are blessed with outstanding athleticism and good size that will allow them to compete at the college level,” says Metz.

Along with the football players, dominate senior Captain in the KLAA, Megan Gebhard has always dreamed of playing college volleyball.

“My whole life I have dreamed of playing volleyball in college. Recruiting at times was extremely stressful but worth the end result. MIT’s woman team won the NEWMAC conference last year and I am excited to be a part of a competitive team,” says Gebhard.

Gebhard has received numerous volleyball awards including MIVCA All-Region, Volleyball 1st Team All-County, 1st Team All-Conference and Most Valuable Player Award for Howell High School. The 6’1” outside hitter is not only known for her leadership on the court, but also in the classroom. Gebhard has taken numerous Advanced Placement classes and has succeeded through the number of awards she has received in the classroom.

Gebhard will be a student athlete working toward a computer science degree from one of the top technical schools in the world.

“I plan to major in computer science. Technology is our future almost every problem is turning into a computing solution.”

Gebhard was originally looking at the University of Michigan but couldn’t pass up the opportunity at MIT.

“The people there are passionate and incredibly driven. I want to be challenged, I want to live in a city, I want to meet people from all over the world. MIT is notorious for computer science. I want to have professors that are admiring and inspirational. No doubt about it I am terrified of picking up and moving fourteen hours away. I have so many friends that I don’t want to say goodbye to but I don’t think I can pass up an opportunity like this,” says Gebhard.

Save money, apply for scholarships

With school in session, underclassmen are finally beginning to settle into the rhythm of classes, homework, and studying. For seniors though it is just the beginning of a crazy ride of ups and downs and requirements that need to be completed in order to successfully apply for college. Along with all those requirements seniors need to be looking at and applying for scholarships.

 

More than three billion dollars in college scholarships are awarded to students, with the average award reaching near $2,000 to $3,000 per year. The majority of these college scholarships come from colleges themselves, corporations, non-profit agencies, and government agencies.

 

There are three major types of scholarships: school based, employer provided, and profile scholarships. The key to getting scholarships is doing research early, focusing on realistic scholarships, and applying to as many as possible.

 

Scholarships are available for anyone; you just need to know where to look. A great place to start looking is locally. Local scholarships have a tendency to be less competitive than nationwide scholarships. Your counselor, local libraries, recreational centers, religious or civic organizations, larger businesses, your employer, and even your parent’s employers may have information about local scholarships. Despite the fact that many people believe that scholarships are too exclusive and require too many things they aren’t. They aren’t solely meant for students in dire need of financial aid.

 

“You should take advantage of scholarships because it’s free money, and who doesn’t like free money?” says Jason Rowden teacher of Consumer Math at Howell High School. Mr. Rowden was teaching students about college costs, such as tuition, room and board, and food costs. A way to reduce those costs is by earning scholarship money.

 

Scholarships offer a great opportunity to lessen the amount of money necessary to pay for college. Receiving scholarships gives students a sense of accomplishment and will give them the confidence to pursue other goals. Other than the obvious benefits, scholarships will make your resume stand out, they show employers that you are hardworking and focused. Looking for work is difficult but with many qualifications and achievements like scholarships it becomes much, much easier.

 

Having the accessibility of scholarships would make it seem like a simple decision. The money is given and there is no need to repay it, enhances resumes, and they save thousands of dollars, it’s easy for most of them just apply is the only requirement to be eligible for them.

Ten things they don’t tell you about college: advice from HHS alumni

For seniors who are headed off to college in the fall, a whole new world is going to unfold. Teachers and parents always seem to have an abundance of advice for those who are starting this new point in their lives. Here are ten things, from Howell High School alumni, that you should know before you go off to college.

1. Time management is extremely important. With the abundance of work that students in college receive, time management is a key to success. “College doesn’t teach you time management; they teach you crisis management. Prioritize your homework based off when exams, quizzes, tests, and projects are. And don’t try to read the entire textbook. Skim it and write down vocab, but again, crisis management,” explains Becca Miner.

2. If a professor sends out a study guide, DO IT! Miner also said that college isn’t like high school where you get study guides all the time. If a professor sends out a study guide or some other tool to help with either a paper or a test, take it seriously. In college, it is a lot of book work and reading, so when the occasional study guide does come up take advantage of it.

3. College allows you to be who you really are. “They never tell you that when you get into college that’s when you truly find yourself,” explains Alumni Jessica Hatfield. “Everyone says high school is when you become yourself. I have found it’s when you are tested academically and socially that a person really grows. I recently had a speech class. My goal for every speech was to put myself a little more outside of my comfort zone. Doing so has allowed me to be able to talk to anyone about anything and that is a rewarding experience.”

4. Make friends with upperclassmen. Meeting upperclassmen is one of the keys to success in college. Since you can choose your professors, up to a point, having someone who has already taken the classes you are looking into is helpful. Figuring out what professors are amazing and which ones are to be avoided is something that upperclassmen can help you figure out. Also, using websites such as www.ratemyprofessors.com where students go on and help decipher what professors to have is definitely useful. “I’ve used it every semester and it has helped a lot,” explains HHS graduate Anthony Nazarowff. “There tends to be more complaints than anything else, but you can usually tell which professors are going to make your life easier while still learning.”

5. Try to limit what you bring to college. It’s important to realize that what may have been a necessity at home, you can leave behind once you get to college. Whether it’s your whole closet or all of your favorite books and movies, they are really not necessary for dorm life.

“Really try to limit what you bring from home. Your room gets so cluttered so easily, it’s insane,” tells Jillian Coy. “Just make sure to bring enough school supplies, especially tape (ALL KINDS!) and glue and stuff. And Clorox wipes. Also medicinal things, like Ibuprofen, bandages, antibiotic cream, etc. Just trust me. Because it’s not like you can just walk downstairs and grab it from your mom…you have to bike to the store, which is not so much fun.”

6. College isn’t as difficult as it is made out to be. Now this does depend on the university and what classes you enroll in, but many college students don’t believe it is as difficult as the teachers and counselors make it out to be. “When you consider how much time you aren’t actually in class compared to high school, you have plenty of time for school work and anything else you might want to do. Taking a normal 15 credits means you are only in class for 15 hours a week. Compare that to the 35+ hours spent in classes for high school,” explains Nazarowff. “Sure, I’ve had big projects and papers to do, but nothing that hasn’t come with a reasonable time to complete the assignment.”

7. Finding the right group of friends is important. Those who you surround yourself with can really influence what your college experience will become. Finding a good group of friends who you can have fun with, but can also study with is important. We all want to have fun when we go to college, but it is key to remember that you are there to get an education. “I am so content with the people I have around me because they are very good influences,” comments Coy.  “In college it is SO ridiculously easy to just not do your homework or not go to class or not get involved. But my friends and I do homework together every single day. They push me to go to class and are very supportive of my work. We edit each other’s papers and help each other out, but then we also know how to chill out. We take lots and lots of caf breaks. You name it, we do it. You need to find a balance between schoolwork and hanging out because it’s so easy to get caught up in just chilling with your friends all the time that you neglect your work, and vice versa.”

8. Always have bus fare and the number for a cab or bus programmed into your phone. This is key to staying safe while on campus. If you go out with friends and for some reason get split up, you don’t want to be left without a way to get back. Not only do you need the number for a bus or cab in your phone, make sure that your phone is always charged. “Being left without your room key or money is the worst possible situation you could be in. This may sound like common sense, but always have this as a backup plan,” advised Miner.

9. Find the warmest route to class. This may sound silly but being wet because of rain or freezing because of snow is not fun, especially if you are attending a large university. “Cut through buildings, minimize your time outside. Class will be miserable if you’re shaking and numb. I used to take a route to the Broadcasting building that took 10 minutes longer because I could cut through other buildings. It was worth it.”

10. There’s no place like home. “You will miss home,” Bre’Ana Strong explains that even though there is the anticipation to be independent, that you truly will miss home. Whether going to another state for college, like Strong did, or just a few hours away from home, college students still enjoy going home.

Going to college is a huge change of lifestyle, and you don’t always know what to expect. Be open to your new environment and find a way to make it work for you. Hopefully these helpful hints will make your transition just a little bit easier.

Student athletes find way to transition into college

Transitioning from high school sports to living a healthy, active lifestyle can be really difficult. Once my ski season was over, I was unsure of what to do next. Well, even if your high school sports career has come to an end, there are still many ways to stay athletically competitive.

One way for athletes to continue their competitive spirit, is by signing up for an athletic event. Whether it’s running a 5k or competing in a triathlon, having an event to prepare for will keep you motivated. The main reason many high school athletes do events such as these is for the competition. Many athletes love the competition of whatever sport they pursue, so being able to find ways to stay competitive is important. For example Howell’s Aquatic Center held an indoor triathlon for athletes last month, as a way for them to start getting ready for the triathlon season.

Not only can you sign up for a specific competition, but there are also many adult leagues to join. The Howell Recreation Center offers many adult sports leagues, such as basketball, softball, volleyball, and soccer. Adult leagues are a great way to continue playing your sport competitively, even if you are no longer in high school sports.

Senior Gabrielle Montesanti plans on swimming for Kalamazoo College. “It’s important to me to stay active because being healthy influences everything I do. If I don’t exercise, I can’t sleep and I can’t stay focused at school,” explained Montesanti.

Also it’s beneficial for athletes to work out with one another. This can be done either with a friend or with people competing in similar sports.There are a variety of ways to go about this. Either joining a gym or just finding somewhere outdoors where you can train outdoors are great options.

“When I’m not in the swim season, I try to stay as active as possible,” commented Montesanti. “I run, although it’s not as natural for me as swimming. I lift weights and use dry land workouts given to me from previous coaches. I also use the time to set goals and get mentally tougher so that I can step up to the challenges of the upcoming season.”

Bre’Ana Strong, former Howell varsity basketball player and current college basketball player, is a great example of how just going to the gym will help with an athlete’s transition. “I do a lot of weight lifting and try to keep up with my cardio to stay in shape for basketball,” commented Strong.

If you don’t have anyone who would want to join your daily workouts, taking a class is always an option. The Howell Aquatic Center offers a variety of classes ranging from land aerobics, water aerobics, strength training, and yoga. If you wanted to go sports-specific there is the Howell Trimaster, which works on the swimming aspect of a triathlon. Also there are various cycling and spinning classes that one could join. The newest option that will be starting in April is the women’s OneTribe group. What that is, is multi-disciplinary sports training for women. It is a great way to meet new people and to stay motivated. Many colleges also have different groups or gym memberships that students can join at an inexpensive price.

If taking a class isn’t your thing, then plenty of colleges offer intramural sports. Whether its flag football, beach volleyball, or soccer intramurals are a great way to stay active and to have a great time.

“If I could give high school athletes any advice, it would be to appreciate every moment. Even those practices where all you do is run, appreciate that you have the opportunity to play the game and to have teammates that are like family to you,” advised Strong.

Whether it’s taking a class, playing on a team, or just going working out on your own there are plenty of ways for high school athletes to continue their athletic lifestyle after high school. Figure out what works best for you and continue the healthy lifestyle started in high school athletics.

Recruiting essentials reveals process is time-consuming

Every year thousands of high school students across the country are recruited by collegiate athletic programs.

While many are recruited, only select individuals receive scholarships and make it to the next level.

The big questions are, what do college coaches look for, and how should student-athletes go through the process?

Most high school students striving to earn an athletic scholarship make a huge mistake early in the recruiting process.

Many believe if student-athletes earn all-conference, all-area, or all-state accolades, colleges will come to them.

The truth of the matter is that it will only limit their options to local schools that have actually read about them and watched them play. Most colleges often miss out on solid recruits simply because they didn’t hear about them until it was too late in the process. It is essential that interested athletes throw their names on the radar as soon as possible.

For an athlete to get noticed, athletes should join teams outside of their high school. Especially for basketball, joining an AAU team is almost mandatory if one wants to make it to the next level. There are also Junior Olympics and elite club teams for other athletics.

Playing on these squads is a great way to get exposure, especially since they are comprised of the best talent in a local area. They also usually participate in major events where college coaches scout.

Depending on the sport, it can be a huge benefit for potential recruits to attend some type of camp or clinic. These are excellent ways to display talent to college scouts. Senior Alex Calandrino has attended several wrestling camps during his career.

“With colleges looking at you, camps are a key to that success, also national tournaments. College coaches look at how well you do outside of your state on a national level,” Calandrino says.
Another essential part of the recruiting process is the assistance of the athlete’s high school coach. Many high school coaches have developed connections with certain colleges throughout their career. They can easily give recommendations to coaches about the athlete’s skill set including their talent, academics, and important character traits.

However, it should be dually noted to not completely rely on a high school coach. He or she may only have limited connections to local universities and is probably very busy with other aspects of his or her life. No matter what, they can still offer good words of advice and guidance through the entire process.

Technology is constantly growing these days and with that comes many recruiting services on the Internet. While many of the sites look impressive, college coaches generally feel that a majority of them are unreliable. They often question the verification of the recruit’s information. They also don’t have the time to rummage through pages upon pages of profiles on these sites.

Don’t get me wrong. Creating these profiles can be rewarding, but most recruits end up being disappointed with the results.

Subscribing to a sports educational recruiting system can really help recruits find a good college match. They help student-athletes learn what colleges are looking for and assist them in setting personal goals. Most importantly these systems get them started early which can increase the chance of earning a scholarship or a good financial package.

When a college begins to show interest in an athlete, usually they send out letters or emails. If the recruit is interested, he or she should respond back to the coach immediately. If one fails to get back with a coach, the coach might assume that the athlete is not interested in their program. Recruits must be prompt and personal when communicating with different coaches.

If a college finally offers a scholarship to a student-athlete, which is the ultimate goal, he or she needs to understand the financial terms. Some universities offer partial scholarships while others give full. Usually the less money an athlete has to pay, the more likely he or she will sign with that college. Nevertheless, athletes should make sure the college fits their interests athletically as well as academically.

Another important aspect of getting recruited is maintaining a solid grade point average and scoring well on standardized tests. There are always cases when very talented prospects are turned down by universities due to poor academics.

“For wrestling, [recruiters] look at your determination, hard work and focus as great qualities that they need on their teams. They look at how well you have done at your state meet and if you have been to nationals. Your grades are also key to help your academic scholarship,” Calandrino says.

Parents of athletes should guide their child but not become overbearing. While they should offer support, they should refrain from putting too much pressure on their teen. There will always be times when their child will have a bad game or not be successful. It comes with the experience of being involved in athletics.

The number of students receiving athletic scholarships to major universities at Howell High School has steadily increased every year and will hopefully continue.

Athletic director Dan Hutcheson strongly supports student-athletes going through the recruiting process.

“We try to give kids the resources, tools, and opportunities to reach the next level if they work hard at recruiting just like the sport itself. It’s like a job, you must stay committed.”

Preparing for ACT may help boost score

In upcoming days, juniors at Howell High School will be taking the ACT. Now, some students may be frightened. Others are fairly confident of their test-taking abilities, but for those who need a little guidance keep reading.

For those who don’t know exactly what the ACT is, it is a standardized test that includes 215 multiple choice questions, along with an optional writing portion. Even though the writing portion is optional, most four-year universities require it as a part of their application.

The different multiple choice categories are English, Math, Reading, and Science. Also, the scoring scale is 1-36, with a 36 being a perfect score. The purpose of the ACT is to let colleges know how prepared students are for a college education.

With that being said, not many people know how to prepare for the ACT. There are multiple options that will help students do well. Students at Howell High School have the Explore test given to freshmen and the Plan test for sophomores. Both tests are designed to prepare students for the ACT and to help them increase their scores.

Another very simple tool is going to ACTstudent.org and using their test prep materials. There are practice tests online, flashcards, and more. Another helpful tool is to sign up for the ACT question of the day that is sent to your email. It helps you practice the questions on a daily basis, and isn’t overwhelming.

Students need to be aware of how important the ACT truly is. “Take it seriously. Scores they [students] receive can help them get into the college of their choice, and it serves as a qualifier for scholarships or grants,” explained guidance counselor Ms. Deb Solowczuk. She is the ACT Saturday test coordinator and back-up supervisor for tests at Test Fest week. According to science teacher, Ms. Angie Kynast, the science department works on ACT strategies throughout the semester.

Another great tool for students is taking classes to help prepare them for the ACT. Classes help teach students different testing strategies and give them extra practice. Many students who take them find it to be very useful. Many English teachers, such as Ms. Sue Hosner and Ms. Tracy Ash who both teach Advanced American Literature, do practice in-class essays using ACT-style prompts.

ACT test prep books are another great source for students to prepare. The books offer different testing strategies, what to commonly expect from the different sections of the test, and practice tests. Practice is the key to doing well on the ACT.

“It’s like a sport. You wouldn’t play the game without having practice before hand,” said Ms. Solowczuk.

Students do need to bear in mind that the ACT is offered frequently, and if a student is disappointed with his/her score, the test can be retaken.

“I encourage students to do their best, and if they find they didn’t do as well as hoped talk to your math, English, and science teachers. Also, students should take the test more than once if unsatisfied with their score,” advised Ms. Solowczuk.

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