PTHS School Counseling Newsletter
March 2022
Postsecondary Options
College Planning
Enrichment Opportunities
Scholarship Updates
Upcoming Dates
Self Care Strategies
- Take Care of Your Body – Whether it is by exercising, eating nutritious foods, hydrating your body, or grounding yourself through breathing techniques.
- Social Media Detox –Disconnect from your social media accounts and away from the negative energy and posts that are constantly lighting up our phones with notifications.
- Go Outdoors – Get outside and take a walk! With warmer weather coming our way, the sunshine, birds chirping, and nature can do a lot for clearing the mind.
- Allow Yourself to Feel – Sometimes we need a moment to feel sad, angry, or even cry. Give yourself the permission to feel. Whether it is talking with someone or crying to your favorite Rom-Com, it is okay to feel the emotions that are going through your body, express them – don't bottle them up!
(adapted from: https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/2020/04/what-is-self-care)
What World's Problems Will you Solve?
Career Exploration
High Priority Occupations
Interested in viewing the full list? Interested in learning about HPOs in surrounding areas? This information can be viewed at the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis.
Two and Four Year Institutions
SuperMatch
Trade and Technical Schools
Builders and Construction Trade Unions
Military
Want more information? Contact a local military recruiter listed below or contact your School Counselor.
Staff Sergeant Aaron Garner (Marines)
Staff Sergeant Anthony Mendoza (Army)
Anthony.r.mendoza1.mil@mail.mil
Staff Sergeant Andrew Kiczenski (Air Force)
Petty Officer Erik Newhart (Navy)
Questions to Consider When on a College Visit or Speaking with an Admissions Counselor
Spring break is a great time to visit a college campus. Look at admission websites to schedule official visits. Many campus tours are led by current students. This is a great opportunity to interview someone who experiences college life everyday. Review the questions below and highlight what would be important for you to know. Consider asking those questions on your visit.
Outcomes
What’s the graduation rate?
What career resources are available?
What percentage of students are employed or in graduate school upon graduation?
What percentage of students are accepted into graduate, medical or law school?
Campus Life
What is the size of the school?
How many students live on campus?
Do students go home on weekends?
Is housing available for all four years?
How many student clubs and organizations are there?
What’s the retention rate from the first to second year?
How easy is it to get around campus and the city?
Experiential Learning
Do undergraduates have research opportunities?
Do students have capstone projects?
Are there opportunities for global experiences?
Is there an additional cost for study abroad programs?
Do participants in study abroad still graduate on time?
Are internships and co-ops available?
Is assistance available to find and apply to internships and co-ops?
Academics
What is the class size and student to faculty ratio?
What percent of classes are taught by faculty (vs. graduate assistants)?
What percent of faculty have terminal degrees in their field?
Are AP credits accepted?
What academic advising is available?
Is there flexibility to change majors?
What academic and learning support resources are available?
Are bachelor’s plus master’s degrees offered?
Affordability
Will net tuition (the amount a family pays) stay the same each year?
Are scholarships and grants guaranteed every year? Do the award values stay the same, decrease, or increase over time?
Are there any fees or surcharges?
Is money provided for textbooks?
What is the average debt rate upon graduation?
Questions provided by the University of Dayton Admissions Office – www.udayton.edu
The Common App Essay Prompts
Below is a list of essay prompts for 2022-2023. The Common App will also retain the optional COVID-19 question within the Additional Information section.
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
For more information visit https://www.commonapp.org/ or schedule a meeting with your School Counselor.
College Board Announces New Digital Testing
Aspire
HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES --
Looking for a Mentor to help guide your post-high school education and career choices?
• The ASPIRE Program offers two-year mentorships to high school students in Greene and Washington Counties who would like assistance in navigating their post high school education and career paths.
• Students participate in social, educational and community service activities in the local area.
• ASPIRE awards up to four $5,000 scholarships to students attending community, technical or four-year colleges or universities each year.
• Open enrollment for ASPIRE’s 2022-2024 program runs March 1 - April 29, 2022
Space is limited!
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY:
• Students and their sponsors apply online at www.aspireprogram.org, by clicking on “Apply for ASPIRE's 2022-2024 Program.”
• Email questions to aspire@equitransmidstream.com.
to be the best!
Waynesburg CSI Summer Camp
Students entering 11th grade, 12th grade, or who are spring 2022 high school graduates are eligible to attend CSI Camp. The Camp will take place from June 13, 2022 to June 17, 2022.
If you would like more information on the Camp, please visit https://www.waynesburg.edu/csi-camp. Registration for the Camp at this website as well.
Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week
For more information, visit https://www.pfew.org/ and check out the video below.
Scholarships
REMINDER TO ALL SENIORS: Now is the time to apply to local scholarships! Did you know we currently have almost 50 local scholarships available to the senior class? Every student should be taking advantage of these generous opportunities. Please note that some of these scholarships give out multiple awards or are specific to Peters Township High School Students so APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!!
To access our local scholarships, go to: Naviance >> Colleges >> Scholarships >> Scholarship Search
Upcoming Deadlines
March:
3/16 PICPA High School Senior Scholarship
3/19 Italian-American Cultural & Heritage Society of Washington County - $3,000!
3/22 Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association President's Scholarship - $2,000!
3/25 Gary R. Brown Environmental Scholarship
3/31 Court Time Foundation Scholarship
3/31 Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Washington Co Scholarship - $1,000!
3/31 Joseph "Murph" Irwin Memorial Scholarship Fund (The Pittsburgh Foundation) - $800!
3/31 Tim McCaig Scholarship (The Pittsburgh Foundation) - $2,500!
April:
4/1 The Washington Co. Community Foundation Scholarships:
o Carol L. Berthold Scholarship Fund For Dance - $20,000!
o Chapman Family Scholarship Fund - $1,000!
o John & Sophie Choratch Scholarship Fund
o Kiwanis Club Scholarship (For WACTC students) - $1,000!
o Sam & Bev Minor Fund - $1,000!
o Olivia Scott Scholarship - $1,000!
o CAS/Dr. Kim Stacher Scholarship - $1,000!
o Curtis Wachter Scholarship - $1,000!
o Washington County Gay Straight Alliance Scholarship Fund - $1,000!
o Washington Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Scholarship Fund - $1,000!
o William & Sara Litle and Roy & Sara McCullough Scholarship Fund (for students planning to attend W&J College) - $1,500!
o Joseph P. Femiani Memorial Scholarship Fund - $1,000!
o Ronald T. Miller, II Scholarship - $1,000!
o Dave Pew Memorial Scholarship Fund - $1,000!
4/1 Giant Oaks Garden Club Scholarship - $1,000!
4/1 Men’s College Scholarship - $50,000!
4/1 Washington Area FCU Scholarship - $1,000!
4/1 The Washington Financial Charitable Foundation Scholarship - $5,000!
4/1 Peters Township Basketball Association Scholarship - $1,000!
4/7 Dr. Cartwright Scholarship - $500!
4/15 Pittsburgh Italian Scholarship Fund - $4,000!
4/15 We the Students Essay Scholarship - $7,500!
4/23 Student-View Scholarship Program
4/29 Aaron C. Fayish Memorial Scholarship - $2,500!
4/29 Passavant Memorial Homes Foundation Community Service Scholarship - $10,000!
4/30 Keynotes Music Scholarship
4/30 Joyce D. Ellis Scholarship - $2,500!
4/30 Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship - $1,000!
May:
5/2 Peters Township PTA Area Council Scholarship - $1,000!
5/3 Beulah Frey Environmental Scholarship - $2,500!
5/4 McMurray Art League College Scholarship - $500!
5/20 Patti & Walter Blenko Scholarship Fund - $4,000!
5/28 Design A Better Future - $10,000!
5/30 PB&J Scholarship - $1,000!
5/31 Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation Scholarship - $1,000!
5/31 Alan and Mary Jo Lincoln Scholarship - $1,000-2,000!
June:
6/30 Citizens Scholarship - $15,000!
6/30 Three Rivers Desk and Derrick Scholarship - $500!
Save the Date
February 28 - March 11: Student Scheduling Portal is Opened
March 12: SAT @PTHS
March 17 & March 18: National College Fair in Pittsburgh
March 23: End of 3rd Quarter
April 2: ACT @PTHS
April 5: College Planning Night @ 6:00 PM
April 26: South Hills Trade & Technical Fair @ 6:00 PM
May 2 - May 13: AP Testing
May 16 & May 17: Literature Keystone Exam
May 18 & May 19: Algebra Keystone Exam
May 23 & May 24: Biology Keystone Exam
Pittsburgh National College Fair
College Fair Hours:
Thursday, March 17, 2022
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday, March 18, 2022
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
College Planning Night - April 5 - 6:00PM - 7:40PM
Parents and students are cordially invited to attend our College Planning Night!
Our goal is to provide you with a wide variety of information and perspectives regarding the college admissions process and future planning. Students & their parents are invited to attend up to three presentations of your choosing.
Representatives from the military will be present to answer questions & provide information about their individual organizations.
Breakout sessions include: finding the right fit and planning a college visit, admission to highly selective schools, financial aid considerations, writing a stand-out college application essay, utilizing college and career exploration, and 2-year programs and beyond.
South Hills Trade and Technical Fair - April 26
PTHS Counseling Team
Ms. Alyssa Patton; pattona@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: A-Di
Class of 2024 and Beyond: A-C
Mrs. Courtney Wolf; wolfc@pt-sd.org
Currently unavailable
Class of 2021-2023: Dj-Kl
Class of 2024 and Beyond: D-Hh
Ms. Alyssa Simmons; simmonsa@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: Km-M
Class of 2024 and Beyond: Hi-Mh
Mrs. Heather Prinsen; prinsenh@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: N-Sk
Class of 2024 and Beyond: Mi-Se
Mr. Jeff Sudol; sudolj@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: Sl-Z
Class of 2024 and Beyond: Sf-Z
Mrs. Leyna Steffen; steffenl@pt-sd.org
Dean of College and Career Readiness
Mrs. Courtney Murphy; murphyc@pt-sd.org
Counseling Secretary
Mrs. Evie Lusk; luske@pt-sd.org
Counseling Secretary