Check your mail! Invitations are going out from MCC!
MCC is sending out invitations to all students enrolled in dual credit courses who qualify to join Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), which is the international honor society for two-year colleges.
As part of PTK, you’ll receive:
Transfer scholarship opportunities
Leadership and personal development
Recognition in the college and community
Resume enhancement and transcript designation
No minimum level of participation is required. There is a one-time, lifetime membership fee of $80. Scholarships are available if the fee is a barrier.
For more information, contact the faculty advisors: Heidi Boring (hboring@mchenry.edu) and Christine Grela (cgrela@mchenry.edu).
To join, go to www.ptk.org, click “Join,” enter your MCC email address, and pay your
one-time membership fee online.
Want to get involved? Attend a service event. Events are open to both PTK members and
non-members. Bring your friends!
Adopt-a-Highway:
Meet at MCC in room A230a. Dress for the weather and wear closed-toed shoes. Training and pick-up materials will be provided. Friday, March 21 at 10:30 am
The United States Military Academy at West Point is excited to offer two unique opportunities for high school and middle school students to experience the Academy this summer.
Opportunity 1: Summer Leader Experience (SLE)
This one-week program is designed for current high school juniors, offering them a unique opportunity to experience life as a Cadet at West Point. The action-packed week will be both challenging and rewarding, with participants taking part in:
Four hands-on academic workshops selected from 17 different options, taught by West Point faculty.
Physical and mental challenges, including indoor and outdoor obstacle courses, intramurals, and the Candidate Fitness Assessment.
Leadership and character development through team challenges, the Leader Reaction Course, and ethics discussions led by West Point Cadets.
Check out the SLE 2024 VIDEO to learn more about the experience. https://shorturl.at/3xIyt
Students can choose between two SLE sessions:
May 31 – June 6
June 7 – June 13
Applications for SLE open on February 15, and selections will be made on a rolling basis starting March 15. Completing this application also fulfills the first portion of the application to West Point.
West Point provides scholarships to cover the costs of SLE fees and travel expenses for students who have proven financial need.
Learn more here: West Point Summer Leader Experience https://shorturl.at/gWRog
Apply to SLE: https://apply.westpoint.edu/portal/candidate
Opportunity 2:
For students in 6th through 9th grade, West Point will host its annual Summer STEM Workshops. During these workshops, students will explore the Academy grounds, experience cadet life, and participate in a variety of hands-on STEM activities. Workshop topics include human physiology, fuel cell cars, propellants, robotics, cantilevers, soldering circuits, fish biodiversity, water chemistry, meteorology, egg drop engineering, data analytics, and more.
The workshops are scheduled as follows:
June 2–6 for 6th-7th graders
June 9–13 for 8th-9th graders
Applications for Summer STEM are open now through February 28, 2025.
For more information, visit the Center for Leader Development in STEM (CLDSTEM) website: https://shorturl.at/lxZYW
Apply to Summer STEM: Summer STEM Workshop Application - https://shorturl.at/uqQcN
February College Prep Checklist for AHHS Seniors:
In February, high school seniors should prioritize finalizing college decisions by visiting potential schools, checking on financial aid status, submitting scholarship applications, staying on top of academic work, and planning for the transition to college life, including housing and orientation information.
Key tasks for February:
College Visits:
-Schedule and complete any remaining college visits to get a feel for the campus and environment.
-Meet with admissions counselors during your visits to discuss your academic profile and potential fit.
Financial Aid /FAFSA:
-Review financial aid packages from accepted colleges.
-Submit any necessary additional financial aid forms or documentation.
-Compare financial aid offers and make informed decisions.
-Make sure that you have submitted a copy of your FAFSA confirmation letter to the AHHS Office for the FAFSA graduation requirement
Scholarship Applications:
-Actively search for scholarships that align with your academic interests and achievements.
-Be sure you are checking your school email for local scholarships shared by the academic advisor
-Complete and submit scholarship applications with deadlines approaching.
Proofread essays carefully before submitting.
Admissions Decisions:
-Respond to acceptance letters from colleges by the deadline.
-Notify colleges of your final decision if required.
College Transition Planning:
-Research housing options and application process for your chosen college.
-Look into orientation schedules and important dates for incoming freshmen.
-Start planning for necessary supplies and textbooks.
Academic Focus:
-Maintain strong grades in your senior year classes.
-Check with your advisor about any remaining graduation requirements.
-Stay organized and prioritize upcoming exams.
Other Considerations:
-Communicate with your college counselor about any questions or concerns.
-Consider attending college fairs or information sessions.
-Start planning for graduation activities (filling out the AHHS Post-secondary exit survey).
*** Wednesday 2/12 Both MSGB and HSGB have been cancelled for tonight. All after school practices have also been cancelled for today. HS Girls Basketball will travel to Hiawatha tomorrow night to makeup todays game same time 5:30 start. ***
Digital ACT/PreACT Practice Test Day – February 13th Dear Students and Families, On February 13th, AHHS will administer a full-length digital ACT or PreACT practice test to all 9th–11th grade students as part of Illinois’ transition from the SAT to the ACT. This practice test is essential in helping students: ✔️ Get familiar with the test format and structure ✔️ Experience the types of questions they will encounter ✔️ Practice using the online tools provided Important Reminders for 9th–11th Grade Students: 🔹 Bring a fully charged Chromebook and charger 🔹 Phones and smartwatches are not allowed during testing and must be securely stored in lockers Seniors: 🔹 Seniors are given the day to explore post-secondary options, such as job shadowing, internships, college/trade school visits, and more 🔹There will be no AHHS or LCTC classes on this day LCTC Students: 🔹 You will be granted a calendar conflict day to either participate in the practice test or explore post-secondary opportunities 📢 Please note: There will be an early dismissal at 1:00 PM on February 13th. Thank you for cooperating to ensure a smooth and successful practice testing day!
Message for LCTC Students: Hello, this is Dr. Kapala, Lake County Tech Campus, I want to let you know that due to the extreme snow, the Technology Campus will transition to remote learning today Wed., February 12th.
Teachers will post their remote learning assignments to our Tech Campus Schoology courses by 8:20 a.m. Students are expected to complete the assignment by the end of the day. Submission of the assignment will count as attendance for our remote learning day. If you have questions about your assignment, please contact your instructor.
*** Tickets for the IHSA Wrestling Sectional may be purchased online using the link for Session I on Friday GoFan https://gofan.co/event/3183020?schoolId=IL13623 ***
*** Tuesday 2/11 MSGB home vs. Grass Lake 6th & 8th grade 4:30 start. ***
*** Friday 2/7 Hawaiian Theme Night HS Girls and Boys Basketball home vs. OLSHA . Boys game starts at 5:30 Girls game at 7:00. It is Senior night for Cora, Rileigh & Marissa that presentation will be prior to the Varsity girls game at approximately 6:45. Then stay and watch halftime of the varsity girls game to see the "Little Giant Cheerleaders" perform. Go Giants!! ***
ILLINOIS AGRI-WOMEN ANNOUNCES 2025 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
This year, the Illinois Agri-Women (IAW) organization is offering 4 scholarships for females studying
agriculture. The Illinois Agri-Women (IAW) organization supports the agriculture industry, works for
legislation to support and preserve family farms, communicates with other agriculture organizations,
and strives to educate the public and promote agricultural awareness.
One $1,500 IAW Helen Henert Agriculture Education Scholarship will be offered to a student who is
an agriculture education major who will be finishing their undergraduate degree at an Illinois school in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.
Three $1,000 WCFA Agent of Change Scholarships are offered to students who have attended at least
one Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference. Eligible applicants also include past WCFA attendees and students who participated in the 2021 WCFA Online Curriculum. One scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior, one will be awarded to a current college student, and one
scholarship will be awarded to a current graduate student (teachers who have attended the conferences are also eligible).
The deadline for submissions of completed applications is March 31, 2025.
To access applications or find out more information about scholarships visit our website.
Come celebrate your basketball and cheerleading Seniors! All the fun starts tonight at 5:30pm. The little Giants will be your half time entertainment!
*** Thursday 2/6 MS Girls Basketball 7th & 8th travel to Stanton to play at 4:30. 5th & 6th are home vs. Harrison starting at 4:00. HS Girls Basketball plays at Woodland Academy at 5:30. ***
Seniors,
Be sure to check your school email for details on the following scholarship opportunities!
1. District Vocational Scholarship
💰 Award: $1,500 each (One recipient from AHHS & one from RBHS)
🔗 More Information: Rotary District Vocational Scholarship
📅 Deadline to submit to Mrs. VanderPal: February 28, 2025 (Must arrive at the vocational district by March 7)
🎤 Interviews: Week of March 10, 2025
If you're interested and your school already has two applicants, check with Mrs. VanderPal to see if there's an available spot!
2. RSGAR Local Scholarship
💰 Award: 4 scholarships, $1,500 each
📅 Deadline to submit to Mrs. VanderPal: March 14, 2025 (Must be turned in to Rotary by March 21)
🎤 Interviews: Monday, April 28, 2025 | 9 AM - 12 PM
Don't miss out on these great opportunities—apply now! 🚀✨
***Due to the proposed weather tomorrow, we are rescheduling the Giant Showcase to February 26th, 2025. All times will remain the same. ***
Digital ACT/PreACT Practice Test Day – February 13th
Dear Students and Families,
On February 13th, AHHS will administer a full-length digital ACT or PreACT practice test to all 9th–11th grade students as part of Illinois’ transition from the SAT to the ACT.
This practice test is essential in helping students:
✔️ Get familiar with the test format and structure
✔️ Experience the types of questions they will encounter
✔️ Practice using the online tools provided
Important Reminders for 9th–11th Grade Students:
🔹 Bring a fully charged Chromebook and charger
🔹 Phones and smartwatches are not allowed during testing and must be securely stored in lockers
Seniors:
🔹 Seniors are given the day to explore post-secondary options, such as job shadowing, internships, college/trade school visits, and more
🔹There will be no AHHS or LCTC classes on this day
LCTC Students:
🔹 You will be granted a calendar conflict day to either participate in the practice test or explore post-secondary opportunities
📢 Please note: There will be an early dismissal at 1:00 PM on February 13th.
Thank you for cooperating in ensuring a smooth and successful practice testing day!
*** Monday 2/3 HS Boys & Girls Basketball at CLA 5:30/7:00. HS Wrestling at Harvard 5:00. Feb. Practice Schedule has been posted on the Athletic Page. ***
Giants Showcase is on Wednesday! All the fun starts at 5:30!
*** 1/30 HS Boys Basketball home vs. TOCA 5:30 ***
Healthcare Career Expo on Wednesday, February 5th, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Crystal Lake Central Field House. We have 50+ organizations participating, including Mercy, Northwestern Advocate, to local veterinary offices - any organization representing health and wellness was invited to attend.
This event is open to all middle and high school students interested in healthcare and wellness careers. Exhibitors will have hands-on activities so students can engage beyond just flyers.
*** Tuesday 2/28 HS Girls Basketball at Richmond-Burton 5:30. MS Girls Basketball home vs. Gavin South 5th/6th, 7th & 8th 4:30 start . Sports pictures for MS Girls Basketball and MS Wrestling start right after school. ***