Counselor’s Newsletter
From the Desk of Brook Fleshman, Guidance Counselor
La Plata High School - 660-332-7001 - September 2, 2011
Hello Students and Parents!
I will periodically be sending out a newsletter with information about important upcoming test dates,
workshops, scholarships, and college related material. If you are reading the hard copy of this letter,
know that the newsletter will also be posted on my web page of the school’s web site
www.laplata.k12.mo.us each time a new one is available. There is even more information and links on
my web page about the above topics. Staying up-to-date by checking the website or daily bulletin is a
great first step to ensure you are getting prepared for life beyond high school.
If you are exploring the option of college, it is best if you can take the ACT once during the first semester
so you can have the opportunity to improve your score before reporting it on scholarship and college
applications. A couple of points can make a big difference! There are only TWO test dates left in this
first semester (see below)! If your score is still not satisfactory, retaking it in the spring will certainly still
benefit you if your score improves. For more information on the ACT, the rest of the test dates, or to
register online, go to www.actstudent.org.
ACT Test Date
Registration Deadline
October 22, 2011
September 16, 2011
December 10, 2011
November 4, 2011
**If needed, you can always register a few weeks after the deadline and pay a late fee.**
Okay, great, so you know to take the ACT and maintain a good grade point average if you are interested
in college but then what? Begin your post-secondary search now, no matter what your plans after high
school are: jobs, additional training needed and where, technical schools, or colleges/universities. I
recommend applying to all likely options as soon as possible to ensure you meet all necessary deadlines.
Once you have applied, consult with me on where to send your high school transcript. Please be aware
that many schools will not consider your application complete until they have received a transcript.
The next step after you have started the application process is to take a visit to the top choice schools,
attend all senior meetings, and begin the financial aid/scholarship search. Many institutions have
separate deadlines and applications for their financial aid awards – check your school’s website or call
their financial aid office for questions. Another excellent resource for post-secondary information will
be the SENIOR INFORMATION & FINANCIAL AID NIGHT in the high school commons on WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21ST AT 6:00 PM. Specific information on the FAFSA will be presented that evening along
with other useful material. Both parents and students are highly encouraged to attend. It should
answer several of your worrisome questions about financial aid and give you the information you’ll need
to start preparing financially.
College application and scholarship season are here whether you are ready for it or not! Do not let it
overwhelm you. Make small goals and work on applications periodically instead of at the time of the
deadline. It is easier said than done, I know!  There are thousands of great scholarships offered on
the internet and local scholarships will be available in the spring. On the following pages you will find a
list of all current scholarships available that have come across my desk. This list will continually be
updated as the year progresses and a list can also be found on the guidance website. Read over all
eligibility requirements first and double check that all parts of the application are complete. Some
scholarships ask for recommendations or counselor verification. This will require the application be
completed ahead of time to ensure the extra requests have ample time to be finished and returned to
you in time to meet the deadline.
Lastly, I want to inform you about the steps I have taken to help your student start their post-secondary
search. This past week I met with every senior individually and explained the college application
process, showed them how to access all of the available scholarships, and discussed with them the
upcoming opportunities that are listed below.
Upcoming Opportunities:
-College Fair at the K (As a school, we will not be attending this but I wanted to pass the information
along as it looked like a fun event for your family if interested)
Join the Kansas City Royals and over 15 colleges and universities for the first annual College Fair at The K.
The event will take place on September 17th from 9am-1pm in the Diamond Club. Meet with recruiters
and learn about the colleges and universities that suit you. Confirmed colleges and universities include:
Kansas State, University of Iowa, Columbia College, Baker University, NW Missouri State, UMKC, with
more to come. To attend this event, please purchase tickets through the following link:
www.royals.com/collegefair
Your ticket to the game on Saturday, September 17 will serve as your admission to the college fair. The
game features the Kansas City Royals VS. Chicago White Sox at 6:10 pm. Ticket Prices: Field Plaza - $10
and Hy-Vee - $ 5. Please Note: Each ticket purchased will allow students to bring one parent / adult to
the college fair at no additional charge. No exceptions will be made due to the capacity limitations of the
Diamond Club. For questions please contact: Ariel Peralta at 816-504-4166 or email at
ariel.peralta@royals.com
-College Fair at Schuyler County High School
I will be taking the senior class to Schuyler County’s College Fair on Monday, October 17th. Students will
be able to visit with admissions representatives from several area colleges and inquire about their
campus.
-MACC & MU Tour
I will be taking the senior class to Moberly Area Community College and the University of MissouriColumbia to tour their campuses on Tuesday, October 25th. Students will see a glimpse in to what it is
like to be a student at these schools and use it as a comparison for their other interested schools.
(Students are allowed two personal college visit days throughout the year, however please inform me
ahead of time about these trips in order to be excused from school.)
Senior year is very exciting and memorable, enjoy each minute while still staying focused on your goals
ahead! If you have any questions throughout the year please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Brook Fleshman
REMINDER: Money and enrollment forms for CMU dual credit classes are due Friday, September 9th;
money and form for MACC dual credit classes are due Friday, September 16th.