September 2008
ACT provides this monthly newsletter to inform students and their parents about college and career planning. ACT is a not-for-profit organization that serves millions of people in schools, colleges, professional associations, businesses and government agencies with programs and services that help people achieve their education and career goals. Visit www.actstudent.org for more information and services.
Key Dates
November: High school seniors should complete any early admission/decision college
applications that are available; check with the schools on your list. The deadline to register for the December ACT test date is November 7.
December: Some early admission decisions are available, so check with any schools to which you submitted an application. The ACT is administered on December 13. Complete and mail applications with January 1 deadlines. Prepare for the FAFSA, because it will be available January 1.
January 2009: The FAFSA becomes available January 1 — file as soon as possible.
Registration deadline for the February ACT test date is January 6.
Pass it on: lessons from the class of 2008
ACT test results are in for the graduating class of 2008. While the number of test takers increased by 9 percent and the average composite score held relatively stable, there is still work to do to ensure students are prepared to go to and succeed in college.
Nationally, less than 25 percent of students are ready for college. ACT’s College Readiness
Benchmarks indicate students who have a high probability (75 percent or greater) of earning a “C” or better and a 50 percent chance of earning a “B” or higher in corresponding first-year college course work. Only 22 percent of the 2008 U.S. high school graduates met all four benchmark scores.
In English, 68 percent of the students achieved the benchmark of 18, which corresponds to first-year college composition. A math score of 22 corresponds to college-level algebra, attained by 43 percent of 2008 graduates. In reading, 53 percent achieved the benchmark score of 21 corresponding to work in first-year social science courses, which require a great deal of reading and comprehension skills. In science, a score of 24 translates to success in college-level biology for 28 percent of 2008 graduates.
Only six in 10 students take a rigorous curriculum to prepare for college. Sixty-one percent
of 2008 graduates reported taking a college preparatory schedule in high school. Yet, ACT
research showed that 77 percent of middle and early high school students planned to enter a four-year college or university.
Less preparation means more remediation. As more and more unprepared students go to
college, up to 40 percent are forced to take at least one remedial class just to get up to speed on college-level work. Those courses cost money and slow progress to a degree. Students who are required to take remedial work are also more likely to drop out of college.
Prepare a roadmap to get to college and stick with it. When you need help or encounter a
potential obstacle, seek a parent, teacher, counselor or mentor who can help you get back on the course to success.
Follow instructions to reduce application errors
Of the top mistakes most often made on college applications, many can be attributed to not following instructions or working too quickly. The college application — and financial aid process — will be filled with important paperwork, so it is vital to take time and plan ahead. Setting aside time to focus on each document can help eliminate errors such as misspellings and will allow each form to be checked for completion, ensuring that it is signed and dated properly.
No one wants to be under pressure to complete such an important document at the last minute. Look at college and scholarship application deadlines and then figure out the amount of time it will take to complete the application. Schedule your work on it and if mailing an application, be sure to allow time for it to arrive before the deadline.
Take time to carefully consider people who will serve as your references. The people you choose should be able to accurately paint a picture of your talents and abilities. Essays also require planning and time. And don’t forget to find a trusted person to help proofread your writing.
Time, however, cannot overcome misinformation. Be truthful about your activities and the extent of your involvement. Personal activities, such as “shopping” and “hanging out with friends” don’t belong on applications.
Make a professional impression. Consider setting up a separate e-mail account for your college and scholarship applications and related communication. Choose an address that is professional and avoid using nicknames or slang terms. Remember, just as you’re looking for the right fit in a college, schools are looking for students who will represent them well.
Student athletes must register with NCAA
Students looking to participate in a Division I or II collegiate sport must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. During your junior year, you must register with the Eligibility Center. Students must request that their ACT scores be forwarded directly to the center by entering code “9999” as a reporting selection when registering for the test.
For more information on the NCAA’s core course requirements, GPA computation, contact
information and to complete the amateurism questionnaire, visit
https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/.
Meet the bloggers
Tag along as two students share their senior year and college prep experiences with all of us during the upcoming school year.
Emily attends high school in the Buffalo, NY, area. Both of her parents are educators and she has an older sister who is completing her bachelor’s degree. Emily took the ACT this past June and is planning to take it one more time.
Jedidiah will be blogging from the “Lone Star” state of Texas, where he lives with his parents. Jedidiah has taken the ACT twice and worked hard to improve his score on the second test.
Read along as they navigate through the college admissions process and their final year of high school. Follow their stories at www.actblog.org.
Important information: fee waivers, special testing
Don’t let anything stand in the way of going to college! Fee waivers and special accommodations are available for students who qualify.
Students can receive ACT test fee waivers for the basic test fee for two test dates. Fee waivers are available for students who are in foster homes or are a ward of the state, whose family receives public assistance, who participate in a federally funded TRIO program such as Bound, or whose total family income is at or below the Low Standard Budget for 2008 as established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you think you qualify, check with your counselor early as funds are limited each year and won’t be available once depleted. Visiting with your counselor is the only way to obtain a fee waiver.
Special testing is available for students with documented disabilities. Information about required documentation and the process for requesting accommodations can be found at
http://www.act.org/aap/disab/index.html. Visit with your counselor for assistance in completing paperwork.
Test date reminder
The next national ACT test date is October 25, 2008. The registration deadline is September 19 and late registration, with an additional fee, is September 20 through October 3. Register online today at actstudent.org.
Other test dates during the 2008-09 school year are: December 13, 2008; February 7, 2009; April 4, 2009; and June 13, 2009. Registration deadlines for these dates are normally about five weeks before the test date.
An optional Writing Test is available in addition to the multiple-choice achievement test. Go to www.actstudent.org/writing to learn more about the Writing Test, including the colleges that require it.
On the ACT student website, check out free test prep aids. Sample questions are available along with Preparing for the ACT, a booklet with a complete practice test, scoring key, writing prompt and sample essays. The ACT registration packet, available from the counseling office, also contains the booklet.
You also can sign up for ACT Online PrepTM, the only test prep program developed exclusively by ACT test development professionals. At only $19.95 for a year’s use, it’s a great tool. Test-day tips, a list of what to bring and approved calculators for use on the Math Test are listed on the site, too.
For all your questions about the ACT test, visit www.actstudent.org.
Oklahoma State Announces Spring 2008 Graduates
A total of 2,608 students representing 42 states and numerous countries were awarded degrees from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater at the end of the 2008 spring session, according to the Office of the Registrar.
Graduates are listed by the towns they have designated as their hometowns, along with degree and subject area. Degrees earned with distinction--summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude—are designated below the degree earned.
Claudia Vaquera, a 2004 Spearman HS graduate, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in Human Development and Family Science.
WTAMU Announces Honors Lists for Spring Semester West Texas A&M University has named more than 1,000 students to honors lists for the spring 2008 semester. Of that total, 367 were named to the President’s List and 645 students were named to the Dean’s List.
Students named to the President’s List must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 and carry a minimum class load of 12 undergraduate hours.
Presiden’ts List: Gruver - Matt D. Messer a Junior Finance major; Spearman - Ashley N. Hernandez a Senior Political Science major, and Jonathan C. Klemme a Sophomore Pre-Vet Medicine major.
Those named to the Dean’s List must have a GPA between 3.50 and 3.99 and carry a minimum of 12 undergraduate hours.
Dean’s List: Gruver - Carlos H. Borunda a Senior Sports/Exercise Sciences major, Bonnie L. Frick a Sophomore EC-4 Generalist major, and Lisa M. Johnson a Senior 4-8 English, Language Arts, Reading major; Andrew L. Eudy a Sophomore Sports/Exercise Sciences major, Karina Hernandez a Sophomore Nursing major, and Gerardo O. Ruiz a Senior Pre-Physical Therapy major.
WTAMU Awards Diplomas
Degrees were officially conferred on 730 West Texas A&M University students during spring commencement exercises May 10 at the First United Bank Center. The University awarded 599 baccalaureate and 131 master’s degrees.
Graduates with an overall grade point average of 3.50 or higher were recognized as honor graduates and wore gold honor cords. The three levels of honor recognition are Summa Cum Laude (3.90 4.00), Magna Cum Laude (3.75 3.89) and Cum Laude (3.50 3.74). The WTAMU Class of 2008 included 42 graduates with Summa Cum Laude honors, 65 students with Magna Cum Laude honors and 52 with Cum Laude honors.
The graduating class represented 17 states and 115 Texas cities and towns.
Graduating from Gruver was Gabriel E. Cruz, who received a BBA in Management. Graduating from Spearman were Kaitlyn L. Ballew, who received a BS in Biology, Adriana Mendoza-Pinon, who received a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, and David C. Puebla, who received a BS in Sports/Exercise Sciences.
Local Student Named To ENMU Honor Roll
Autumn D. Gruver, an Eastern New Mexico University student that graduated from Gruver High School in the Gruver area is among the 504 students on the 2008 Spring semester Deans Honor Roll.
To be eligible for the Deans Honor Roll, students must complete a minimum of 15 hours for the semester and maintain a 3.25 GPA. ENMU opened in 1934 and today has an enrollment of approximately 4,000 on its main campus in Portales. Eastern, which also has a branch campus in Rosewell and an instructional center in Ruidoso, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate programs.
OPSU Spring 2008 Honor Roll
Oklahoma Panhandle State University recently announced the Spring 2008 President’s Honor Roll.
To qualify for the President’s Honor Roll, a student must carry at least 12 credit hours of university courses, have no "Fs" or incomplete courses and a 4.0 GPA for the semester.
Hansford County students named to the President’s Honor Roll are: Gruver - imberly Moore and Scotty Wright; Spearman - Katie Weaver
Oklahoma Panhandle State University recently announced the Spring 2008 Dean’s Honor Roll.
To qualify for the Dean’s Honor Roll, a student must carry at least 12 credit hours of university courses, have no "Fs" or incomplete courses and have between a 3.50 and 3.99 GPA for the semester.
Hansford County students named to the Dean’s Honor Roll are: Gruver - Mary Hamilton; Spearman - Terri Hansen.
SPC Students Named to Dean’s Honor Roll
South Plains College recognized students achieving academic excellence by naming them to the President’s and Dean’s Honor Lists for the spring 2008 semester.
“Obtaining such a high grade point average is a great accomplishment, and it is very exciting and rewarding to see so many students accomplish this honor,” said Darrell Grimes, vice president of academic affairs.
Students named to the Dean’s Honor List earned at least a 3.25 grade point average with no failing grades while carrying at least 12 credit hours.
The Spearman student named to the Dean’s Honor List is Lance G. Huddleston.
The Gruver student receiving this honor is Mayra A. Hernandez.
Northwestern Announces Spring Honor Rolls
Honor rolls for the spring semester at Northwestern Oklahoma State University have been announced by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Those on the President’s Honor Roll earned all As, or a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), in a minimum of 12 undergraduate or nine graduate hours. Those on the Vice President’s list had grade averages of 3.5 or better in a minimum of 12 undergraduate or nine graduate hours.
Undergraduate students on the honorable mention lists had 4.0 or 3.5 GPAs, respectively, in a minimum of three to a maximum of 11 semester hours. Graduate students on those rolls were enrolled in a minimum of three to a maximum of eight semester hours.
To be listed on any of the rolls, students could not have any incomplete work.
Nicole Ramon of Goodwell, OK, formerly of Spearman, was named to the President’s Honorable Mention Honor Roll.
Local Students Graduate from ENMU
Joe Dan Lovato and Autumn Gruver, from Hansford County, are among the 332 graduation candidates at Eastern New Mexico University this spring. Seven students have applied for associate’s degrees, 250 for bachelor’s degrees and 75 for master’s degrees.
Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 will graduate summa cum laude, while 3.7 to 3.79 will graduate magna cum laude. Cum laude graduates must have a 3.6 to 3.69 GPA. Students with 3.5 to 3.59 GPA graduate with distinction.
Joe Dan Lovato is a candidate for a bachelor of science in education in elementary education.
Autumn Gruver is a candidate for a bachelor of science in anthropology and history with distinction.
Glass Graduates from Wayland Baptist University
Lexi Glass graduated May 3, 2008 from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview with a Master's of Arts in Counseling.
This program was a two year program through the university, and was a dual program that focused on community and school counseling. Lexi has also completed her 6th year of teaching.
“I have been extremely fortunate to have a wonderful family support system to have helped me throughout the program,” stated Lexi.
“In addition, I owe a special thank you to those I work with at Gus Birdwell.”
Medley Graduates from Wayland Baptist University
A native of Spearman received a degree from Wayland Baptist University during a May 3 commencement ceremony.
Sarah Elizabeth Medley, daughter of Jim and Lana Medley, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious education, graduating cum laude.
In a recent honors chapel ceremony, Medley received the Amelia Bishop Award for outstanding female ministerial student.
Frank Phillips College Spring Honor Roll
Ten students attending the FPC Allen Campus in Perryton received academic honors for the spring semester 2007.
Four students from Perryton; Lyudmyla Battin, Deana Foster, Jordan Depew, and Debbie Sanford, and two students from Spearman; Aleisha Sweat and Sylvia Tarango, earned places on the President’s List. To receive this honor, a student must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours (this constitutes a full time load of classes) and have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.00, the highest attainable for the semester.
Four students from Perryton; Ivan Altamirano, Stephen Cano, Michelle Cantrell, and Leota Ramirez, were named to the Dean’s List. To receive this honor, a student must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours and have a GPA between 3.50 and 3.99 for the semester.
The FPC Allen Campus takes great pride in congratulating each of these students for a job well done.
Commencement Held at Texas A&M University
Commencement exercises were held at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University in College Station on Friday, May 9, 2008.
Joshua Brian Bynum received his Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His dissertation was: Physiological Applications for Determining Water Use Efficiency among Cotton Genotypes.
Josh accepted the role/position of Technology Development Representative (TDR) for West Tennessee. In his role, Josh will provide technical leadership which includes the development, deployment and technical positioning of new products including value determination and demonstration, expansion of existing products, the development of technical solutions to local issues and the technical training and education of the internal sales organization and external partners. Josh will also engage in cross-functional interactions with the Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D Technology, Breeding and Chemistry organizations and external groups such as Academia, Crop Consultants, Growers, Retail and Industry organizations. In his role, Josh will be responsible for product testing to support our germplasm, trait and chemistry portfolio as well as provide technical leadership, insight and training in support of the Delta East Team.
Josh received his B.S from West Texas A&M University in 2002, and his M.S. from Texas A&M University in 2005.
Josh and Katie, along with their son, Brayden, have relocated to Memphis, TN. Josh is the son of Kevin and Rhonda Bynum of Spearman.
Henderson Graduates from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston
Samuel Henderson graduated with the 118th class of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston on Saturday, May 31, 2008. The School of Medicine awarded medical degrees to 187 new physicians. Dr. Garland D. Anderson, provost and dean of the School of Medicine, served as the master of ceremonies. Attending the graduation at Moody Gardens Convention Center were Salee H. Gurley of Seattle, Washington, Nell Henderson of Morse, Farene Williams of Gruver and parents, Alva and Brenda Henderson of McKinney, Texas. The highlight of their trip was to be guests at the dean’s table at the reception.
Samuel, a 2004 graduate of Duke University, will begin a four year residency program in pathology at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. |
