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.
Category Archives: Community
Doggie Dash runs this Saturday
By Madison Gash
Student Council is presenting the Dog Show and first annual Doggie Dash on May 12 at 10 a.m. and all ages and dogs are wanted and welcome to join the fun.
The registration ends on May 10th and you can pay the 10 dollars the day of the event. The Doggie Dash consists of an easy one-mile course around Stow-Munroe Falls High School field while the Dog Show is hosting a series of four events that include a obstacle course, an ugly but cute contest and costume contest and a best trick competition.
There is a specific set of rules that need to be obtained in order for a dog to be able to compete in the dog show. These rules indicate the dog needs to be potty trained, the owners need to clean up after their dog, the dog must be on a leash at all times, they must be vaccinated and if the dog has any history of violence they are not permitted to enter.
Violation of any of these rules will result in the dog being disqualified from the competition and Doggie Dash. The prizes for the winners are unknown at this time and are still being decided by Student Council, but it will be determined soon. Studco representatives are excited to start this new event and hope it goes will so there can be more dog-related events in the future.
‘Jazz Meets Symphony’ concert has many fans in awe
By H. Suzie Lee
The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and Akron Symphony Orchestra orchestrated Orchestral Jazz together in EJ Thomas Hall for the concert ‘Jazz Meets Symphony.’
Jazz Meets Symphony concert was performed on April 14, 2018.
Christopher Wilkins was the conductor of the concert and Paul Ferguson, also known as trombonist, was the Artistic Director of the concert.
Sam Sandman, the school’s band director, also performed at concert playing Bari Saxophone from Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.
The concert’s first tune was Artistry in Rhythm by Paul Ferguson including piano solo by Theron Brown.
Beautiful yet mysterious jazz piano opened up the concert creating a silent atmosphere; however, the mood quickly changed with classical jazz rhythms.
Next was Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Wolfgang Amade Mozart arranged by Ferguson. The piece started out as the classical, famous melody of Mozart and suddenly the whole vibe changes to Jazz.
String instruments were playing the famous melody and jazz instruments took over the whole piece in a different vibe; the piece went back and forth between Mozart’s classical melody and modern Jazz style.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik piece was a perfect example of how beautifully Jazz and symphony can blend in together.
Third piece of the concert was La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf arranged by Ferguson featuring Jack Schantz on flugelhorn.
While La Vie en Rose is cult-favorite, classic piece in jazz industry performed by Louis Armstrong and often gives more bright and swingy feeling, Jack Schantz’s flugelhorn solo was so mellow and beautiful that the audience experienced chills and melancholy emotion.
The concert continued performing in the following order: Astieri by Paul Ferguson, The song is you by Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II arranged by Ferguson, I’ve Got the World on a String by Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler, and Gershwin Medley by George & Ira Gershwin featuring Evelyn Wright, vocalist, Glenn Miller Medley by Ferguson.
After ten minutes of Intermission the concert performed pieces such as Three Pieces for Blues Band and Orchestra: 3rd movement by William Russo, Rays of light by Paul Ferguson, Dorsey Medley by Tommy Dorsey, Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael arranged by Ferguson with clarinet solo by Tom Reed, Just One of Those Things by Cole Porter, But Beautiful by Jimmy Van Heusen/Johnny Burke arranged by Ferguson featuring Evelyn Wright, vocalist, and ended the concert with Ellington Medley arranged by Paul Ferguson.
At the end of the concert, the audience were overwhelmed with the passion and energy that they received from the performers. They did not stop clapping and resulted in two encores from the vocalist Evelyn Wright.
‘Jazz Meets Symphony’ was truly an incredible, exceptional concert that will be remembered in many people’s memories.
Monday’s BOE meeting focuses primarily on student walkout
By Maria Leonino
Mon March 19 the Board of Education had a meeting discussing the student lead walkout. Board members included Gerry Bettio, Lisa-Johnson Bowers, David Licate, Kelly Toppin and Jason Witacre.
Principals, teachers, students and parents gathered to listen to the board talk about their views on the walkout. Many students spoke, including Student Council President, Moriah Payne.
Payne was in charge of leading the walkout. She wanted to make sure she made a point to say the purpose of the walkout was to promote safety.
“Four out of five board members responded with amazement at the respect of the student body and congratulated us for handling the issue so maturely,” Payne said.
Along with promoting safety, the student walkout served as a memorial for previous shootings and to empower the students for the change they can make in the world.
Payne, along with the other students who led the walkout, wanted to show students that they can come together to overcome the political differences for a common cause.
There was backlash from the community about the walkout, and the Board of Education wanted to have more interaction with the students leading up to the walkout.
Overall, Payne wanted the board to know it was not her nor the students intention to disobey the rules of the district.
“We know we cannot change the minds of everyone, but we would appreciate the consideration that our intentions were not to debate the 2nd amendment, but rather to demonstrate the power of the 1st amendment,” Payne said.
In response to Payne’s speech, Board of Education member, Jason Witacre pitched an idea of students being more involved with the community and the board.
Witacre feels if students were to organize a committee linked to the board, it could help prevent further complications with events in the district.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING--Anyone can call the tip line: 1-844-723-3764 or email safehs@smfschools.org 