TO:Sophomores and their Parents

FROM: Mrs. Kerfoot

DATE: October 1, 2015

SUBJECT: Information for NTCHS Sophomores

VFW Voice of Democracy – Prizes awarded at local, district, state and national level. Record your original 3-5 minutes essay on a CD. 2015-2016 theme is: “My Vision for America.” For more details, see Mrs. Kerfoot or the website Deadline: November 1 to local post commander, Steve Osgood. Mrs. Hauschulz has audio recorders with the music department that you can use to record and create your CD.

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards – Recognizes students in middle and high school who have demonstrated exemplary community service; awards are presented annually on the local, state, and national level. Application online at Submit to Mrs. Kerfoot by November 3. For information, check online at or

The HOBY application form could be the beginning of a fun and exciting learning experience. All 10th graders are eligible to apply. One student will represent Sunburst at this leadership seminar held in June (you must attend all four days) in Missoula. The NTCHS Student Council pays the registration fee for the Sunburst representative. The only cost to the participant is transportation to and from Missoula. During this seminar, 10th graders have the opportunity to meet and interact with peers while developing leadership skills. Emphasis is on personal incentive and leadership potential. For more information visit the website at Application available from Mrs. Kerfoot. The deadline to give the completed application to me is November 20.

An all expense paid tour of Washington, DC awaits a local area student if they enter and win an essay contest sponsored by Marias River Electric Cooperative. Entry for the contest is a two page typed essay. The 2015essay topic is “Considering your top three consumer needs, how do you believe we, as an electric cooperative, can best communicate our care and concern to the younger members of the cooperative?” MRE will select an essay winner to represent our cooperative in the Youth to Washington Tour. The winning student will spend six days in DC, June 11-17, 2016, touring the major governmental and historical sites in the capital. Students will also meet with Montana’s congressional delegation. Students are chaperoned by member service employees of Montana’s Electric Cooperatives. Student must be a sophomore or junior; and parents/guardian must be served by MRE. Pick up an application from Mrs. Kerfoot. Essays must be received at the MRE office by November 30 at 5 pm. The student’s name, parents/guardian name, address, telephone number and name of cooperative must appear on the cover page of the essay. For more information contact MRE at 434-5575, or look at the information outside the counselor’s office on the bulletin board.

Athletes who plan to play college sports with the NCAA or NAIAshould go online at for complete information. NCAA has increased the number of required core courses for high school students who plan to play college sports. Go to the website to see changes that will affect athletic participation in the future. Make plans now to take the courses needed for your future. You can also receive further information from Mrs. Kerfoot or Mr. Tharp.

All students who have not yet turned 18 are encouraged to apply for a NEXUS card. NEXUS is a trusted traveler program which allows pre-screened travelers to travel to and from Canada. Applicants submit one application on-line via the Global On-line Enrollment System (GOES). Qualified applicants will receive an email instructing the applicant to schedule an appointment for an interview and issuance of a photo ID card at the Port of Sweetgrass. The main benefit of the NEXUS card over a passport is the difference in cost. The cost of the NEXUS card is $50 for adults but there is no fee for persons under 18.

Websites to check out:

-- designed for freshman, sophomores, and parents to prepare for college. From Student Assistance Foundation: In an effort to ensure that students have a roadmap to guide them on their path to higher education, several Montana organizations have teamed up to launch the KnowHow2Go campaign. This is a national campaign aimed at encouraging low-income, first generation college students and others in grades 8 through 12 to pursue higher education. The premise behind the web site is that students can begin to prepare themselves for higher education by following four simple steps. Check out this website with links for adults, sophomores and freshmen.

-- designed to help students and families ‘Get Smart’ about college preparation with free ACT and SAT practice tests and access to MCIS – Montana Career Information System.

for scholarship and college searches, career planning, and other useful information.

– site is a direct, user-friendly college search engine for students.

Montana Career Information System – a GREAT website for career and college exploration! If you don’t remember your username or password, see Mrs. Kerfoot 