college financial planning workshop
Shea Sullivan
As second semester starts, many important academic events approach for juniors and seniors. Tests like the ACT, SAT and AP exams give students the opportunities to impress colleges and boost their chances of receiving acceptance.
However, many students see these tests as a hurdle in front of their path to college. Another drawback is the increasing cost of college tuition.
Many students feel pressured to do well on these tests, knowing that possible scholarships are on the line, which are very competitive with today’s tuition prices.
“I do feel anxious taking these tests; however, if I try my best to prepare for these tests, there is nothing more I can do to change my score,” junior Chelsea Kirk said.
Thankfully, students have many resources to make this process a bit easier.
On Thursday Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Stow-Munroe Falls Library, students and parents are invited to attend a free College Financial Planning Workshop. Certified College Planning Strategist Joel Wymer of College Planning Strategies will be hosting the event.
Parents will be able to learn strategies on how to help their kids pay for college, without breaking the bank. Students will also be able to learn important ways on receiving ‘free’ money for college and how to try and earn the most financial aid as possible, along with tips on improving important test scores.
“I would attend a seminar addressing testing tips because it would help me to get better in my weakest subjects and improve my scores,” Kirk said.
High schoolers often try to outdo their peers by being involved in many extracurriculars and sports, while also trying to stand out in the classroom. Yet some of these talented students may not receive a desirable amount of financial aid despite being more involved.
This workshop will be addressing that problem, along with how to present one’s finances to receive more need based aid.
Lastly, families attending this seminar will learn why the new FAFSA rules may cause them to lose thousands of dollars in financial aid, and why a 529 plan may not be as good as it seems.
Students and parents worried about the upcoming events of college should definitely consider this workshop. An hour or two long seminar, may result in a lifetime of less student loans.
All posts by Stohion Staff
Life After High School
Emma Schultz
In the middle of the school year, many seniors find themselves overwhelmed with the notion of beginning a new life after high school.
With endless options to consider along with the stress of family members never ceasing to ask questions about the future over the holidays, students may feel pressured to make quick decisions.
“My parents have been urging me since Freshman year to make up my mind since it would be here before I knew it,” senior Julia Jeffries said.
One of the most common questions asked by family members are ones relating to college: attendance, room and board, and last but not least, the college of choice for the individual.
While some seniors are more ambitious than others, it is a common misconception that the selectiveness or “ranking” of the college one attends actually defines him or her as a person. In reality, what is most important is whether or not that college will make a student comfortable and happy while attending.
Other factors to consider include the responsibility and even privilege that students must already have before beginning an independent life after high school.
For example, some students do not have the means of paying for college right away. While financial aid and scholarships are available, going to college may place a student in debt for decades to come. This may lead a student to question the overall benefit or gain from attending college right out of high school.
“[I’m paying for college] mostly on a scholarship but I’m gonna need some student loans and I’ll probably pay for the rest,”Jeffries said.
Other factors that may influence a student’s decisions after high school include the idea of taking a gap year. This means taking a year after high school to work or travel before attending college.
A common misconception of the gap year is that students are not as likely to attend college after taking a year off. According to the Wall Street Journal, 90 percent of students who take a gap year end up returning after a year. This goes to show that it is completely within the student’s control of when and if he or she will return.
This gap year experience can be a great benefit to those not sure of his or her plans for the future, or for those who wish to work or have life-changing experiences before attending college.
Yet another choice available to high school seniors is to attend a trade school. Some students at the high school already attend the cosmetology program, which prepares and educates students for attending beauty school in the future.
“I plan on working more after high school trying to find a job in the cosmetology industry because I want to start right away to build up a clientele. I do plan on trying to go to a barber school,” senior Hannah Eisenberg said.
Other trades that students may be interested in are carpentry, landscaping and computer programming.
Overall, the options are endless for seniors in high school and students should choose what to do during their lives not based on the desires of others, but on what he or she truly wants.
“I’m confident since I have a lot of interest in pursuing psychology even if it is a lot of work,” said Jeffries.
The Scoop on New Years Resolutions
Elissa Stanley
As everyone enters 2019, abundances of New Year’s resolutions are being made. From making plans to stay fit to
trying to stay organized, the world’s goals are set to succeed, or fail.
At the high school, many different goals are being set for the new year.
Senior Alexa Mozqueda plans to “study more and follow directions.” According to statistics, 40 to 45 percent of Americans make one or more resolutions each year.
Statistics show that the top three New Year’s resolutions are weight loss, exercising in general, and stop smoking.75 percent of these resolutions make it to one week, as 71 percent make it to two and 64 percent make it to one
month.
Many Americans do not even make resolutions, as 80% of resolutions fail by February, according to Business Insider. Junior Livi Edwards has decided not to make any resolutions for 2019. “I don’t have any that I could see
succeeding.” says Edwards.
As January begins to wrap up, studies show that it is recommended to enroll in an online course. These courses will help you stick to your resolution(s) as well as create a game plan.
Best of luck to anyone with a resolution they are striving to defeat!
Jazz Band Concert
H. Suzie Lee
SMF schools orchestrated an evening of jazz featuring the Kimpton middle and high school jazz ensembles.
Four ensembles including Kimpton Jazz Ensemble, Jazz III, Jazz II, Jazz I performed 14 pieces at the high school auditorium on Jan 17, 2019.
Kimpton Jazz Ensemble started the concert with Sandra Sandman’s conduct by playing Work Song composed by “Nat Adderley”, arranged by White. Few students came up to the mic in front and performed their solos. Ensemble continued by “God Bless’ The Child” by Arthur Herzog Jr., arranged by Stitzel and “Splanky” by Neal Hefti, arranged by Phillippe.
36 Kimpton students came to the high school auditorium to perform with high school students.
High School Jazz III opened up their repertoire with “Four” by Miles Davis, arranged by Mark Taylor. Jazz III is the largest group out of all three high school ensembles; the group includes 25 members.
Within Greg Newman’s directions, they played “Angel Eyes” by Matt Dennis, arranged by Dave Wolpe.
“Angel Eyes” contained Tenor Sax feature; junior Katie Lowry and Sophomore Nathan Johnson played the feature.
Senior trumpeter Grace Rudman, freshman drummer Owen Goss also played their solos.
Jazz II began their ensemble by performing “Attitude Adjustment” by Larry Barton with conducting of Tom Lewis. They performed three more pieces including, “Birdland”, “Ballad for Basie”, “PaPacito”.
Senior tenor saxophone players Josh Blasko and Jay Galas performed their solos during the concert.
Junior trombonist Valerie McCauley, sophomore bassist Spring Biggs, freshman alto saxophonist Emily Blasko, senior trombonist Gannon Brown each performed their solos as well.
Jazz Band I was the last group of the concert within the direction of Greg Newman; the ensemble orchestrated “Ja-Da” by Sammy Nestico featuring a piano solo by Hyejin Suzie Lee.
They continued their program by “Apollo’s Reel” by Tom Molter including solos of senior trumpeter Jenson Kozar, alto saxophonist Josh Barbee, junior Ethan Bamberger. Next piece was “Ahunk Ahunk” by Thad Jones, arranged by Mike Carubia.
“Ahunk Ahunk” demonstrates the most funk bebop feeling; soloists were junior trumpeter Scott Kline, tenor saxophonist Maddie McLaughlin, senior trombonist Wyatt Martin, junior pianist Hyejin Suzie Lee.
“Mambo Over the Mountain” by Rick Hirsch ended Jazz I’s repertoire including the soloists Josh Barbee, sophomore drummer Blake Toburen, senior drummer Maclane Stebbins, Wyatt Martin.
Spring Jazz Concert with the guest artist is coming up on March 21, 7PM at high school auditorium; the concert is open and free to public.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING--Anyone can call the tip line: 1-844-723-3764 or email safehs@smfschools.org 