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Newsletter will be updated monthly!
Wharton Guidance Monthly Newsletter
Compiled by Magda Rodriguez, WHS College Career Counselor
Parents & Students – Welcome to Wharton’s DECEMBER Guidance Newsletter. We will be providing updates from
the guidance department on a monthly basis through our ParentLink email, REMIND text messages, and newsletters will be posted
on Wharton’s website. Follow Magda Rodriguez @whartonccc for DAILY tweets- Information regarding anything
POSITIVE/motivational, college/career/scholarships/financial aid/academic related to “preparing students for life”!
As we near the end of the first semester, important symptoms to look for in your senior!
AVOID IT! REMEMBER, YOU WILL BE SENDING FINAL TRANSCRIPT IN JUNE!
ADMITTANCE TO COLLEGE DECISIONS CAN BE RESCINDED!
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All Senior English classes visited the Success Center during the first week of December. Students had been instructed to
memorize their SSN in order to be able to apply for their Bright Futures Scholarships, get their FAFSA FSA ID
number(students apply for financial aid after January 1st), initiate their Hillsborough Education Foundation Scholarship
applications (deadline to finish is 1/10/16). Seniors or juniors that are early grads, who currently don’t have an English class
MUST see Mrs. R to schedule time to do applications.
Seniors received from Mrs. Rodriguez a manila folder with the following handouts:

Senior Class of 2016 Mid-Year Checklist – (lime green sheet) I refer to the green sheet as the “money”
sheet!

Florida Financial Aid Application/Bright Futures Instructions sheet used to apply for their Bright Futures
scholarships. (light yellow sheet) Students do not have to meet all the requirements at this time- they can
meet the GPA, community service hours, SAT/ACT score before June 1 st, 2016 – they can take up to the last
SAT/ACT in June to meet the score requirement; they can meet the GPA requirement by the end of the 2 nd
semester); suggested target date to turn in community service hours to Mr. D’Agostino is May 1 st!

Applied for student (FSA ID). FAFSA.ed.gov (bright yellow sheets). There will be a Junior/Senior Parent
Financial Aid Workshop on January 6th in the Media Center beginning promptly at 6:30pm. Go to my
whartonccc.eventbrite.com get additional details and register to attend. A rep from DOE will be able to assist
senior parents, if they bring their information to complete their FAFSA applications that evening. Junior
parents will come for the first part of the workshop to get an overview of the financial aid process/BF/other
scholarships. The 2nd part for senior parents will start around 7:15pm.

FloridaShines.org flyer was handed out. (blue sheet) This is a new website from the DOE. Check it out!
(You can access your unofficial transcript/BF status! (Takes the place of Guidmii.)

December Scholarship Matrix – (white sheet) Additional scholarship opportunities students should check
out AND APPLY for more MONEY!!! (Not just for seniors!)

Mid-Year Survey was completed. Here’s link to survey: http://goo.gl/forms/zNppTxMF50 (complete, if
not done yet!)
All Guidance Counselors: Senior Credit Checks are concluding and personalized informational letters on each student
will be sent home.
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YON F1.
Honor grad requirements: You must have a 4.0 District (weighted GPA) by the end of the 7th semester. Must
have completed any online/virtual classes that is included in required GPA.)
Make sure you meet the online class requirement! Don’t wait until last minute to take and pass!
Graduation Date for 2016 Class: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST, 2016; MANDATORY REHEARSAL, Friday, 5/27/16 at
11:00am at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
DECEMBER
12/2 – 12/4 Senior English Classes to SC for applications, Mid-Year
Survey
12/5
SAT Test
12/9
ICC Meeting
12/9
Parent Conference Night
12/12
ACT Test
12/16
Club Day
12/17
SAC Meeting @3:15pm
12/21-1/1 Winter Break
11WEBSITE
1. Programming starts with current 9th graders on December 11th through December 18th and then
2.
3.
4.
5.

will resume on January 25th when we return from Winter Break for the rest of the current grade
levels. Hard to believe we are already thinking about next year. Students will come from their English
1, World History or Us History classes to meet with their counselors and finalize course selection. All
students are receiving their course selection sheets the week of December 7th and should bring them
home to parents or guardians to discuss and have signed and then return to their teacher in the class
they received it. Academic core teachers will be signing the sheets to make recommendations in next
year’s academic choices.
ASVAB test scores are in. Some students have already picked up scores/ and ASVAB Exploring
Careers handbook. I have placed those scores/books in teacher’s mailboxes today. Students should
get from their first period teacher tomorrow, Friday, 12/11/15.
Volunteer opportunity for Turner/Bartels K-8 Winterfest held at the track at Turner/Bartels School
on Friday, January 29th. Please respond to Debi at [email protected].
PSAT results are expected to arrive by late December or early January. As soon as we receive the
PSAT score reports we will distribute them through homerooms. Once you have your PSAT score
reports you will have your access code to utilize the Khan Academy FREE online prep course.
Volunteer opportunity for Miles Elementary School, Toys for Tots on Friday, 12/18 from 3:30pm6:00pm and/or Saturday, 12/19 from 7:30am-2:30pm. Contact number for school is 813-975-7337.
Make sure to get your community service hours for Bright Futures
eligibility pre-approved by Mr. Robert D’Agostino. To find more information/forms you
can download with regards to BF requirements/forms click on link: Community Service Hours
Forms.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE MY REMIND NUMBER – 81010 WITH OTHERS! Students and parents can get
updates from Mrs. Magda Rodriguez, the College Career Counselor via text messages and/or emails courtesy
of Remind. Participants can receive information about community service opportunities, scholarships, upcoming
events, and much more! We strongly encourage all students and parents to sign up to receive reminders by
the student’s grade level.
CLASSES BY GRAD YEAR
CODE
Students graduating 2016
@whs2016s
Students graduating 2017
@whs2017s
Students graduating 2018
@whs2018s
Students graduating 2019
@c359aOf
Parents – Class of 2016
@whs2016p
Parents – Class of 2017
@whs2017p
Parents – Class of 2018
@whs2018p
Parents – Class of 2019
@c359aO

If you want to receive emails, send an email to the address below
Senior Students
[email protected]
Juniors Students
[email protected]
Sophomore Students
[email protected]
Freshmen Students
[email protected]
*refer to parent code above and follow format for emails…
Parents
REMIND is a one-way texting and email system. All personal information remains confidential. We will never see your phone
number. Your carrier’s text messaging rate will apply. You can opt-out of texting/email messages at anytime by replying
“unsubscribe” to 81010 @ whatever code you have.
Department of Guidance Services
DECEMBER 2015 SCHOLARSHIP MATRIX
NAME
Innovation Essay
Scholarship
AMOUNT
$500 $2,000
GRADE
REQUIREMENTS
DEADLINE
11+
Open to high school juniors, seniors, & students currently enrolled in 2-year or 4year colleges, universities, and technical colleges in the US. For more information
and to apply visit: http://www.herrmanandherrman.com/scholarship/general-rules/
12/01/15
Elks Lodge “Most Valuable
Student” Scholarship
Kosove Undergraduate
Scholarship
Jaycee International
Senators Foundation of
Florida
$1,000$12,500/yr
Tuition
$1,000
12
U.S. citizen; pursuing a four-year degree; full-time at accredited U.S. college or
university. For details and application visit:
http://www.elks.org/ENF/scholars/mvs.cfm
12/04/15
12
U.S. citizen; acceptance into a degree program at USF Tampa campus; incoming
freshmen; minimum 3.5 GPA; minimum 1250 SAT or 28 ACT. To apply visit:
http://www.usfkosovesociety.org/scholarship.html
12/11/15
12
Must be Florida residents; plan to continue education at accredited post-secondary
colleges, universities, or vocational school. For application visit:
http://www.fljcifoundation.org/fla-jci-senators-scholarship.html
1/22/16
Please visit www.usf.edu/ua/scholarships to view scholarships in detail and
download the application. Any questions can be directed to
[email protected]
Various
University of South Florida
Scholarships
Varied
amounts
12
ChairScholars Foundation
Scholarship
$8,000/yr
12 +
For students with financial need and a severe physical disability who have been
admitted to the University of Tampa. See your guidance office for more information.
1/01/16
12
Seniors who demonstrate leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship; minimum 3.0
GPA; citizen of the U.S.; financial need; enroll in a full-time accredited four-year
college or university in the U.S. For more information and to apply visit:
http://www.reaganfoundation.org/GE-RFScholarships.aspx
1/07/16
6-12
Any student who attends a traditional public school in Hillsborough County and is
currently in the 6th through 12th grade can apply for a scholarship. In order to apply
for any of the Foundation scholarships, you only need to complete one online
scholarship application. To start an application, go to
http://www.educationfoundation.com/scholarships
1/10/16
12
Seniors who have relocated more than 50 miles and changed schools due to their
family’s relocation between grades 9 and 12; minimum 2.5 GPA. For more
information and to apply visit: http://www.srrconline.com/scholarship_Fund
1/10/16
Varied
amounts
renewable
12
Must be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American/Pacific
Islander or Hispanic American; citizen, legal permanent residents or nationals of the
U.S.; cumulative GPA of 3.3 unweighted. For all eligibility requirements and
application visit: https://scholarships.gmsp.org/Program/Details/7123dfc6-da5544b7-a900-0c08ba1ac35c
1/13/16
Varied
amounts
12
Must plan to attend USF; must be African American; need based; must file the
FAFSA. Apply online at http://ibl.usf.edu/scholarships
1/15/16
12
Seniors who demonstrate academic and artistic excellence in creative writing,
dance, drama, music or visual art. For details and to apply visit:
http://artsforlifeaward.org/wordpress/about-arts-for-life/
2/01/16
9-12
9-12 grades; U.S. or Canadian citizen; create a 30 second commercial targeting
middle school students about the dangers of underage drinking and/or the dangers
of texting while driving. For more information and to enter visit:
http://www.courageouspersuaders.com/
2/11/16
12
An essay of no less than 1,000 words or more than 1,250 words on the topic “Why
Education is Important”- must attend a state of Florida supported institution. Visit
guidance office for application.
2/15/16
12
Scholarships for first time college students & community college students. Must
have DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) or TPS (Temporary Protected
Status) approval and demonstrate financial need. Must attend one of their Partner
Colleges. For more information visit: http://www.thedream.us/scholars/scholarshipguidelines/
2/15/16
GE-Reagan Foundation
Scholarship
Hillsborough Education
Foundation Scholarships
Southeast Regional
Relocation Council (SRRC)
Scholarship
Gates Millennium
Scholarship
USF Institute of Black
Life Scholarships/various
Arts for Life Scholarship
Courageous Persuaders TV
Commercial Scholarship
Public Education and
Citizenship Statewide Essay
Scholarship
The Dream.US
$10,000
renewable
Varies
$1,000
$2,000
$1,000$2,000
$1,000
$12,500$25,000
Friends of 440
Varied
Amounts
Orange Blossom Garden
Club of Lutz Scholarship
Military Family Support Trust
Scholarship
$500
Varied
Amounts
Janice M. Scott Memorial
Scholarship
$2,500
12+
Dependents or descendants of workers who were injured or killed in the course of
their employment; income based; minimum 2.7 GPA. To apply visit:
http://www.440scholarship.org/portal/application
2/28/16
12
Hillsborough or Pasco district senior in an Agribusiness program pursuing a degree
in horticulture or related field at an accredited post-secondary institution; U.S.
citizen; minimum 3.0 GPA. See your guidance office for application.
3/01/16
12
Must have recommendation of principal; minimum of 21 on ACT or 1500 on SAT;
minimum 3.0 GPA. For eligibility and application visit: http://www.mobconline.org/scholarships.html
3/01/16
12
Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of U.S.; minimum 3.0 GPA; financial
need; attend full-time at a U.S. accredited four-year college or university with in the
U.S. Visit guidance office for more information and application.
3/31/16
3/31/16
GFWC Tampa Junior
Woman’s Club “Tiger”
Scholarship
$1,200
12+
Tampa Bay area male and female high school seniors or graduates with a 3.0 GPA
or GED equivalent looking to further their education by attaining a college degree.
To apply visit: http://www.tampajuniorwomansclub.com/#!scholarshipinformation/cnlj
Sons of Italy Grand Lodge of
Florida
$1,000
12
Students of Italian descent that display academic excellence, leadership qualities,
and a financial need. See your guidance office for details and application.
3/31/16
5/01/16
Rain Control Florida Works
Scholarship
$1,500
12+
Available to graduating seniors and currently registered students in any accredited
post-secondary institution, college, business, or technical school. To apply visit:
http://www.raincontrolaluminuminc.com/scholarship/
Ayo and Iken Children of
Divorce Scholarship
$1,000
12
Florida high school seniors that are members of a separated household. To apply
visit: http://www.myfloridalaw.com/children-of-divorce-scholarship-ayo-iken/
5/01/16
12
High school seniors intending to pursue a fashion related field at an accredited
post-secondary school or college. Demonstrates academic success and exhibits
passion and drive for a fashion related career. To apply visit: http://www.fashionschools.org/aspiring-fashion-professional-scholarship-program
6/01/16
12
High school seniors intending to pursue an animation related field at an accredited
post-secondary school or college. Demonstrates academic success and exhibits
passion and drive for an animation and/or design related career. To apply visit:
http://www.animationcareerreview.com/animationcareerreviewcom-aspiringanimation-professional-scholarship-program
6/01/16
$500
12+
All student athletes are eligible regardless of the sport they are engaged in. Must
be a high school senior or be attending a post-secondary institute. For essay
questions and how to apply visit: http://www.bigsunathletics.com/
6/17/16
Varied
Amounts
9-12
Discover colleges and earn scholarships for your academic and extracurricular
achievements throughout high school. For more details visit: https://www.raise.me/
“Aspiring Fashion
Professional” Scholarship
$1,000
“Aspiring Animation
Professional” Scholarship
$1,000
BigSun Athletic Essay
Scholarship
Raise.me MicroScholarships
**Please see your College and Career Counselor for scholarships specific to your school**
Other scholarship opportunities & information:
Scholarships for Hispanics www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org
United Negro College Fund www.uncf.org
Sallie Mae Fund www.thesalliemaefund.org
Scholarshipmentor (varies) http://www.scholarshipmentor.com/content/current-scholarships
Florida Trend’s Next http://floridanext.com/
WEIRD Scholarships https://weirdscholarships.net/
On going