TO:
PRINCIPALS AND SENIOR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS
FROM:
SHIRLEY COKER
SCHOLARS’ BANQUET TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN
RE:
CRITERIA FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL SCHOLARS’ BANQUET
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016
DATE:
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
The 32nd Annual Scholars’ Banquet is scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2016, at the Monroe Civic Center. The purpose of
this banquet is to honor top graduating seniors who attend schools in Ouachita Parish. The banquet again will be co-hosted
by our foundation members: Monroe Chamber of Commerce, West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, The
News-Star, Chase, and the Junior League of Monroe.
THE DECEMBER ACT TEST IS THE LAST TEST
THAT WILL BE USED TO QUALIFY FOR THE BANQUET.
Qualifying test scores must be taken prior to January 1 of the banquet year.
REQUIRED CRITERIA THAT MUST BE MET:
1.
The student must have attained an average of a 3.5 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale, that was accumulated during
grades 9 through 11 and the first semester of grade 12.
2.
The student must have an ACT composite score of 25 or higher prior to January 1 of the banquet year.
3.
The student must attend high school in Ouachita Parish or have attended a high school in Ouachita Parish prior
to enrolling at the public statewide magnet school, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and Arts in
Natchitoches.
We have established a priority deadline of Friday, January 22, 2016, for qualifying for the Scholars’ Banquet. It is
mandatory that all information be submitted on time. Any application received after this date may be disqualified.
Please have your packets ready to be picked up by a member of the task force on Friday, January 22, 2016, by 1:00 p.m. All
packets should include the following information on all eligible students.
1. A seven semester final transcript of grades and a copy of the ACT score report for each
scholar OR for 3rd year (early graduates) include a 5 semester final transcript with grades,
counselor certification that a student is designated as an early graduate, and a copy of test
scores.
2. A completed, signed Parental Consent form for each scholar.
3. Students will need to turn in this application and photo in JPEG format with his/her name
(last name, first name, HS) in the file name of the photo. Please send only one APPROPRIATE
photo (no sports, cheerleading, drill team, group, or prom pictures). HEAD AND
SHOULDERS ONLY - NO HANDS OR PROPS. Photos need to be on a CD or a flash drive.
Ticket information will be provided at a later date. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Gray at
318-323-3771 or bgray@opsb.net.
ADVERTISING PROHIBITED: By confirming your school will participate in Scholars’ Banquet, you are also agreeing
not to use the number of students at your school who are recognized at the Scholars’ Banquet in any promotional advertising
for your school.
2015-2016 Scholars Banquet
Counselor Timeline
November 19, 2015
Counselor Breakfast and Orientation
November-December
Counselors run GPA and ACT report for initial student roster.
Print ACT score reports for pre-qualified student (ACT 25+).
January 1-January 22, 2016 Review December ACT scores
Run GPA rank report. Print 7 semester transcripts (3.5 cum. GPA+)
Distribute student consent forms and application packets
January 22
Applications (w/ student pictures on CD), transcripts, ACT reports,
and Student Consent forms will be picked up by Scholars’ Banquet Task
Force member by 1:00.
Counselors should secure event ticket orders from faculty/staff
January 25-February 19
Scholars Banquet Credentialing Committee will review data
February 22
Letters to parents and students notifying them of selection and how to
order tickets.
Website/Online ticket orders February 22-March 18.
March 18
Paper copy of ticket orders due to counselors for pickup by 1:00
Online ticket ordering ends at midnight
April 6
April 18
Tickets will be delivered to counselors for distribution to students
Scholars Banquet at Monroe Civic Center
2016 SCHOLARS’ BANQUET
Counselor Certification Letter
For 3rd year (Early) graduates
Student Name: ________________________________________________________________
High School: _________________________________________________________________
Is this student currently completing coursework required for graduation outside of the traditional high
school setting? Examples might include attending college courses on-line or at the university,
correspondence courses, or virtual school. If yes, please explain:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
I certify that this student is completing the necessary Carnegie units for a Louisiana High School diploma
and is expected to meet all graduation requirements by May 2016.
School Counselor: ____________________________________________________ Date: ____________
Official School Seal
SCHOLARS’ BANQUET
Congratulations! On behalf of the Scholars' Banquet Task Force, it is my honor to advise you that your high
school senior is being considered for participation in the 32ndAnnual Scholars' Banquet that will be held on
Monday, April 18th, at 6:30 PM at the Monroe Civic Center Arena. We are pleased to be able to recognize
seniors in the Ouachita Parish region for the academic achievements accomplished during three and a half years
of high school.
In order to make a determination of eligibility, we are requesting information from your child’s high school
including cumulative GPA, ACT test score, and basic demographics. We will need your permission to request
this information from your school counselor. We encourage you to visit our Website
(www.OuachitaScholars.org ) or speak to your child’s school counselor about this honor.
If you would like your child to be considered for this event, please complete the application form on the attached
page along with the Personal Identifiable Information (PII) page so that we may review your child’s
qualifications. This should be submitted to your counselor for pickup by the priority deadline of January 22,
2015.
With warmest regards,
Shirley Coker, Chairman
Scholars' Banquet Committee
______________________________________________________________________________
Sponsorship/Patron Participation
The Scholars’ Banquet Task Force is requesting your support for the 32nd Annual Banquet to be held on April 18, 2016. If
you are willing to help support this function, please indicate your desired level of participation, along with your payment
selection, and return this form to the address listed below.
_____
_____
_____
Yes, I will support Scholars’ Banquet 2016 as a Golden Patron ($500 or more)
Golden Patrons receive eight (8) event tickets and a reserved table.
Yes, I will support Scholars’ Banquet 2016 as a Patron ($250 or more).
Patrons receive four (4) event tickets and four reserved seats at a table with another
patron.
Yes, I will support Scholars’ Banquet 2016 as a Friend ($50 or more).
Please bill in the amount of $________
Name of Sponsor/Business_________________________________________________________________
Telephone_______________ Fax ________________ E-mail_____________________________________
You may mail or fax your Commitment Form to:
Scholars’ Banquet
c/o Barbara Gray
West Monroe High School
201 Riggs Street
West Monroe, LA 71291
Fax (318) 388-4594
SCHOLARS’ BANQUET STUDENT APPLICATION
YOU OR YOUR SCHOOL WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A HEAD SHOT
PHOTO (WITHOUT HANDS or PROPS) IN DIGITAL FORMAT (jpeg image only)
WITH THIS APPLICATION Due to HS counselor on January 20, 2016 by 1p.m.
Student’s Full Legal Name:
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
GPA
ACT/SAT
Certified by
Check here if graduating in 3 years
first
middle
last
PLEASE PRINT…DO NOT ABBREVIATE OR USE NICKNAMES! - Name will be printed in the program and newspaper as listed on application.
High School
Telephone:
Email:
Primary Mailing Address
street or box number
city
state
zip
PARENTAL INFORMATION
All Correspondence related to Scholars Banquet will be mailed to the Students Primary mailing Address (listed above) only.
Check only one appropriate box. Fill in the required information for only the box checked.
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I live with both my parents:
Name: Mr. & Mrs./Dr. & Mrs./Drs.
(circle the correct one)
I live with my mother only.
Her name is Mrs./Ms
(circle the correct one)
My father’s name is Mr./Dr.
(circle the correct one)
His mailing address is
I live with my mother and stepfather. Their names are
Mr. & Mrs./Dr. & Mrs./Drs.
(circle the correct one)
My father’s name is Mr./Dr.
(circle the correct one)
His mailing address is
I live with my father only. His name is Mr./Dr.
(circle the correct one)
My mother’s name is Mrs./Ms
(circle the correct one)
Her mailing address is
I live with my father and stepmother. Their names are
Mr. & Mrs./Dr. & Mrs./Drs.
(circle the correct one)
My mother’s name is Mrs./Ms
(circle the correct one)
Her mailing address is
I live with someone else.
Their name(s) :
Relationship:_
_
MOTHER’S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: ________________________________________________________________________
FATHER’S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: ________________________________________________________________________
Banquet Date – Monday, April 18, 2016
Everyone who attends, except the scholar being honored, will need a ticket.
Counselors –
Please attach your school’s PII form on this page
2016 SCHOLARS’ BANQUET
Please submit hard copy with packet and
email to Barbara Gray at bgray@opsb.net.
NAME OF SCHOOL:
_________________________________________________
COUNSELOR:
_________________________________________________
Student Name
GPA
ACT
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