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CLASS OF 2020
2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
Honoring Our
2020 Graduates
We’d like to extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2020. As you celebrate this milestone achievement, please know you have made your community and your loved ones proud!
EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL FAYETTEVILLE-PERRY HIGH SCHOOL GEORGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL RIPLEY-UNION-LEWIS-HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL WESTERN BROWN HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF 2020
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How to save on college housing costs College is expensive, and the costs are only rising. Scholarships and grants can help mitigate the costs of higher education, but even students who receive such aid could find themselves scrambling for ways to make college more affordable. Housing is one of the more expensive costs for college students and their families. According to the College Board, the average cost for room and board during the 20162017 school year was $10,440 at four-year public schools and $11,890 at private colleges and universities. And those costs typically cover housing for just the school year, which may last anywhere from six to eight months. However, there are ways for students and their families to reduce those costs.
• Examine your dormitory options. Many schools assign students to dormitories for their freshman years, giving students little say with regard to where they will live. However, students might have more input in their housing come their sophomore, junior and senior years. Some dorms might be more attractive and offer more amenities than others, but students and families looking to save money on housing costs should opt to live in the most budget-friendly dorms available to them. In addition, choose to live with a roommate rather than in a single room, as singles tend to cost substantially more than double rooms. • Sign up to be a resident advisor. Resident advisors, or RAs, often receive free housing in ex-
change for living in dormitories when they are upperclassmen or graduate students. RAs help newly enrolled or younger students adjust to campus life while also ensuring nothing untoward happens on the floors they’re tasked with looking after. Students who may want to apply for RA positions should first confirm if serving as an RA will affect their overall financial aid package and how great that impact might be. • Live with roommates even after leaving the dorms. Due to limited space, many colleges insist dorm residents live with roommates. Upperclassmen who are moving out of the dorms and into university or off-campus apartments can save money by continuing to live with roommates. This can be especially benefi-
cial to students who will be living in off-campus housing where amenities such as electricity, cable television and water are unlikely to be included in the cost of the rent. • Commute to school. While it might not be ideal, commuting to school can save college students and their families substantial amounts of money. Public university students who did so during the 2016-2017 school year might have saved nearly $11,000, or $44,000 in four years. That’s money that can be used to pay tuition or finance postgraduate educations. College housing costs can be considerable. But budget-conscious students and families can save on such costs in various ways.
College majors that can lead to higher earnings Choosing a college major is an important decision that many students delay making until their sophomore or even junior years. Only after taking a few courses and uncovering one’s interests do some college students figure out what they want to do with their lives. Each student is different, and while some may pursue a degree based on a particular passion, others may choose majors that can lead to high-paying jobs. While men often lean toward majors like engineering and computer science that have
traditionally been linked to high earnings, women have historically gravitated to lower-paying specialties like education and social sciences. But in recent years a shift has occurred, and more women have begun to choose majors associated with higher post-graduate salaries. Reports from the career guidance site Glassdoor analyzed how much male and female professionals with the same college degree earned and identified many instances in which women went on to earn more than men in the first five years of their career.
They’ve identified several majors where female college graduates can earn as much or more than their male counterparts and find successful careers. • Architecture • Pharmaceutical sciences • Information sciences • Chemical engineering • Computer science • Electrical engineering • Mechanical engineering • Computer engineering • Business economics • Civil engineering • Sports management Despite these findings, the college resource Col-
legeFactual and the U.S. Department of Education says that women remain likely to pursue education, design and applied arts, health services, and social work as career options. Female students unsure of which major they want to pursue can take career assessments to help narrow down their options. Working with mentors or engaging in internships also can present a firsthand idea of high-paying career paths.
2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
What is a gap year? And should grads take one?
Members of the class of 2020 have many decisions to make in the coming months. Many high school students enroll in trade schools or colleges after graduation, while college graduates start their careers or begin their pursuit of advanced degrees when their undergrad days draw to a close. But more and more high school and college graduates are taking gap years. According to the American Gap Year Association, a gap year is defined as an experimental semester or full academic year taken between high school and college grads in order to deepen practical, professional and personal awareness. Students often take a break from school as a chance to travel or gain some professional experience. Others use gap years as a chance for personal exploration before moving on to the next chapter in their lives. Gap years may once have been looked at unfavorably, but they have evolved from such perceptions into opportunities to volunteer abroad, learn a new language in a foreign land, visit one’s ancestral homeland, or work as an intern. While many students take gap years prior to entering college, even college graduates can benefit from taking time off after earning their degrees. Gap years are now seen as a way to improve a curriculum vitae and gain relevant work experience in a particular field. The resource GapYear.com indicates employers actively employ people who have taken a gap year, prefering candidates who have real-world experience. Preparation is necessary before diving head first into a gap year. Students can speak with people who have already taken gap years and ask questions. Graduates should approach the decision of whether or not take a gap year just as they would any other large, life-changing decision. Experts say that it can take between nine and 12 months to plan a gap-year itinerary. Finances are a consideration, and gap years require ample savings and a carefully constructed budget in order to be transformed from a dream into a reality. Gap years are a growing trend that can help students improve their résumés, see the world and gain invaluable experience.
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL
Brett Applegate
Joseph Becknell
Vanessa Bellamy
Cody Bess
Olivia Broughton
Titus Burns
Peyton Caraway
Blade Carrington
Brianna Childress
Hannah Clark
Tiffany Comberger
Corban Cornett
Katelyn Cowdrey
Caleb Crabtree
Logan Creighton
Logan Crooker
Allison Daniels
Abby Danner
Joshua Darnell
Kaylee Davis
Maggie Dorsey
Taylor Dotson
Nathan Dowling
Clayton Fannin
Emily Fannin
John Fisher
Reece Fist
Nicole Freimuth
Juanita Frost
Abigail Gillespie
Miranda Gloff
Tony Goodman
Joel Graham
Skye Green
Elijah Hall
Jasmine Hamilton
Hailey Hampton
Benjamin Heinzl
Austin Hodge
Jessica Hodgson
Jep Houghton
Logan Houston
Dustin Jimison
Jayson Jones
Regan Kaetzel
Logan Kelley
Kaycee Klein
Brianne Klickner
Jasmine Lainhart
Wyatt Makstaller
Christian Manning
Evelyn McCay
Jansen McCord
Brett McCoy
Madison McKenzie
Ashlee Minnix
Madilynn Murphy
Nolan Parker Murphy
Clay Newman
Cody Noble
MyKenzie Parker
Raymond Parlier
Stevie Pettit
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL
Camryn Pickerill
Landyn Pickerill
Eric Poettker
Hailey Price
Jake Rager
Robert Rau
Ryan Renchen
Kathleen Renville
Kalle Reynolds
Sean Robinson
Dylan Sawyers
Isabella Scott
Kyndra Simpson
Nathan Simpson
Kelsey Smallwood
Myra Stalbosky
Trevor Stamper
Logan Stephan
Kyler Stratton
Hayden Strecker
Kameron Tomlin
Adrianne Troutman
Hannah Troutman
Gary Turner
Grant Turner
Emily Underwood
Jadon Walkup
Ian Wiles
Megan Williamson
Lily Wirth
James Woods III
Congratulations To All Eastern Graduates!
The next step in your future could be...
Southern Hills Post-Secondary 151 - 32 Parkway, Williamsburg OH 45176
937-378-6131 x401
Cy Young
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer
Kaytlynn Young
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.” George Washington Carver
Why do grads don caps and gowns? Graduation ceremonies are steeped in tradition, the most noticeable of which may be the caps and gowns worn by students on hand to receive their degrees. This attire likely dates back to 12th century Europe, when students would wear hoods and gowns that resembled those worn by their teachers, who were members of the clergy. According to Colorado State University, in 1321 a statute of the University of Coimbra in Portugal declared that all “Doctors, Licentiates, and Bachelors” wear gowns. That means that the mandatory graduation gown is on the cusp of celebrating its 700th anniversary. Hoods, caps and gowns not only signified a certain status of the students wearing them, but they also served a more practical purpose, helping to keep students warm in the unheated buildings where they were being taught. Ironically, many modern graduates, particularly those whose graduation ceremonies are held outdoors, may lament that their caps and gowns make them feel hot.
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2020 Graduating Class of
Eastern High School from
H&R Block of Georgetown 717 E. State St., Georgetown, Ohio 45121
937-378-3808
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
FAYETTEVILLE-PERRY HIGH SCHOOL Nathaniel Anderson
Trevor Bailey
Ian Banks
Colton Bone
Joseph Brinkman
Jami Brossenne
Jacob Burson
Kyle Busam
Ashley Busch
Austin Busch
Chase Calvert
Jeremiah Castle
Kyle Castle
Coleman Catron
Dominick Clarke
Casey Cole
Wyatt Cole
Nicodemus Crawford
Nathan Deininger
Alexis Dericks
Isabella Durham
Aidan Dye
James Evans
Brianna Fay
Dakota Fehring
Karlie Fleming
Kurtis Friedhof
John Gherman
Ariel Henderson
Cole Holden
Skyler Holden
Ryan Hughes
Makhayla Icard
Zoey Jacobs
Madilyn Johnson
Kiana Kennedy
Aaron King
Nathan Kingus
Stevie Kombrinck
Jillian Korte
Wyatt Kuyper
Jeffery Lawson
Lynsey Leggett
Wade Lewis
Morgan Mahaffey
Samantha Mahanes
Taylor Malone
Christopher Murphy
Brennon Nichols
Caylee Noble
Brody Purdin
Emily Purdin
Hana Ritt
Alyssa Robinson
Alexandra Rumpke
Jayson Savage
Alycia Saylor
Logan Schirmer
Sierra Schnelle
James Sebastian
Ethan Seymour
Alexis Short
Taryn Smucker
Logan Stannus
Nathan Stanton
Megan Sword
Zoe Vilvens
Caleb Wagner
John Welte
Isabelle Wiederhold
Not Pictured Alexus Riley
Ciara Woods
Trey Zinsmeister
Congrats Fayetteville Graduates!
Congratulations to all 2020 Graduates! Congratulations Fayetteville Grads!
Fayetteville Hardware & Supply, LLC 19535 U.S. 68, Fayetteville
Tel. 513-875-3030 • Fax 513-875-2371
Congratulations To All Fayetteville Graduates!
The next step in your future could be...
19535 US Route 68, Fayetteville
513-875-2017
Southern Hills Post-Secondary 151 - 32 Parkway, Williamsburg OH 45176
937-378-6131 x401
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
GEORGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Jeremy Ackley
Addison Adams
Peggy Alexander
Isaiah Antrican
Robert Aubry
Alyssa Barrow
Thomas Baumgartner
Karragan Bellamy
McKenzie Benjamin
Corey Bolington
Austin Bradford
Cody Burch
Mason Caldwell
Jasmine Camery
Anthony Carrington
Cameron Cluxton
Cody Colwell
Katlin Colwell
Marissa Croswait
Jesalyn Duncanson
Caleb Dunseith
Trace Dyer
Terri Ealy
Garrett Ernst
Josie Ernst
Kolby Evans
Regan Gable
Cody Graves
Macy Graves
Hailey Gregory
Hannah Gregory
Elicia Hamblen
Austin Helbling
Dylan Hodges
Abigail Hughes
Noah Hunt
Trinity King
Shaylee Kirker
Katelyn Lilly
Fred Linville
Alexis Livengood
Isabella London
Austin Maggard
Kayla Matlock
Austen McCann
Allyson McHenry
Joshua McKinzie
Hunter McMullen
Austin Meranda
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
GEORGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Elizabeth Meranda
Jacob Meranda
Thalia Merwine
Madison Moore
Faith Morrow
Isabella Motto
Kaden Mountain
Emma Murrell
Jessica Palmer
Alyssa Parvino
Chandler Patrick
Jonas Pfeffer
Alexis Pille
Brenton Ramey
Chris Schick
Libby Scott
Collin Sexton
Tyler Simmons
Brianna Snapp
Mason Staggs
Diana Stanze
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” Christopher Reeve
Wesley Sweet
Emilee Thomas
Brittney Twaddle
Jordyn Watson
Logan White
Ava Williams
Congratulations to all 2020 Graduates! Congratulations To All Georgetown Graduates!
The next step in your future could be...
Southern Hills Post-Secondary 151 - 32 Parkway, Williamsburg OH 45176
937-378-6131 x401
204 W. State Street Georgetown, Ohio
101 Liming Farm Rd. Mt. Orab, Ohio
1011 S. Second Street Ripley, Ohio
937-378-6384
937-444-0323
937-392-1112
KENNETH A. CAHALL • STEPHANIE R. DYER • JOE VAUGHN • JEFFREY EGBERT • CLAYTON CAHALL Directors
www.cahallfuneralhomes.com
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
RULH HIGH SCHOOL
Matthew Akers
Kolby Alexander
Destiny Barbee
Clinton Bartley
Danielle Bennington
William Blank
Madison Bradford
Joseph Boone
Hope Brizendine
Tiffany Bullock
Kylie Carrington
Jacob Castle
Savannah Cluxton
Damion Corns
Colter Cottrell
Calysta Crawford
Isaiah Dawson
Alexis Dearing
Quincy Ellis
Kailee Fisher
Tristan Fisher
Chelsey Frazier
Elliot Fryman
Gregory Fyffe
Peyton Grayson
Zachary Heflin
Takeila Henderson
Tabitha Hensel
Joel Herrmann
Kaylien Hesler
Cassidy Higle
Britney Hoffman
Morgan Jodrey
Kylee Johnson
Tori Lewis
Different ways to showcase a diploma The following are some ideas about how graduates can showcase their diplomas, whether those diplomas were earned in the recent past or decades ago. Frames - One of the more traditional ways to display a diploma is to have the document professionally mounted and framed under glass. Consider framing with UVprotective glass to prevent the diploma from fading through the years. Avoid having your diploma permanently affixed to the back of a frame or plaque so it can be removed
should the frame or plaque become damaged. Much like a cherished piece of artwork, diplomas can be displayed on walls in a home. They can fit in well as conversation pieces in a sitting room, home office, hallway, or library setting. Surround with molding - Framed diplomas can be made to look more ornate when built into the design of the room. Coordinate it with bookshelves or molding laid out throughout the space. Some accent lighting can draw further attention to
the document. Bound books - For those who would rather not display their diplomas on the wall, consider sealing the diploma in a photo album or have it classically bound in a decorative book. Include photos of graduation or other special accomplishments in one’s school or professional career to complete the book. The diploma also can be scanned and digitally reprinted before being added to a custom-made photo memory book, with the real document tucked away for safe keeping.
Personalized tables Work the diploma into home decor in another fashion. Graduates who do not plan on moving the diploma can place it into a display case or in a glass peekaboo coffee table. It also can be affixed to a wooden side table and clear-coated so that it becomes another source of conversation in a sitting room.Diplomas are hardearned and worthy of display. With some creativity, grads can incorporate their diplomas into their home decor.
Congratulations To All Ripley Graduates!
The next step in your future could be...
Southern Hills Post-Secondary 151 - 32 Parkway, Williamsburg OH 45176
937-378-6131 x401
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
RULH HIGH SCHOOL
Lily Maines
Montrez McGill
Jacob McLeod
Emily Miller
Nicole Mock
Lucas Moran
Jaslyn Morton
Payton Nickell
Emma OʼConnor
Michael Perrigo
Ean Phillips
Lauralie Pierson
Savanna Proffitt
Kobe Rigdon
Alexandra Ross
Nigel Royal
Brittany Royster
Jacob Seaman
Hana Schwierling
Tyler Sizemore
Dallas Smith
Kaitlyn Smith
Katherine Smith
Aliyah Tenkotte
Carly Wagner
Austin Watkins
Thomas Whaley
Tray Wile
Not Pictured Jacob Cann Logan Felts Jordan Fields Penny Spires Hayley Burnett MacKenzie McMillion
Mason Williams
Nicholas Wilson
Jordan Winters
Savannah Wood
Hailey Workman
Expert advice for college-bound grads Only 60 percent of college freshmen will graduate within 6 years according to the latest report from the National Center for Educational Statistics. That’s pretty scary stuff for collegebound students and their tuition-paying parents — especially if loans are part of the financial formula. Even for those students who make it to graduation, there may be some question as to whether they made the most of their time on campus. As this Northern Michigan University senior reflects, “There I was, about to graduate with some random degree and feeling like I’d wasted my parents money.” And from a University of Florida senior: “The problem with college is that you figure it out about the time you’re ready to graduate.” Helping college students “figure it out” sooner rather than later is what the latest edition of the awarding-winning “Been There, Should’ve Done That — 995+ Tips for Making the Most of College,” (Front Porch
Press) continues to do. The 4th edition again draws from interviews with seasoned collegians across the U.S. According to author, Suzette Tyler, a former academic adviser at Michigan State University,
things like time-management and self-discipline,” Tyler explains, “but when a fellow student says, ‘I got great grades and I never missed a party and here’s how to do it,’ it has far more impact.
due in the same week! If you weren’t hitting the books right along, you’ll spend the rest of the term digging yourself out!” Senior, University of California, Santa Cruz • “Gather all the syllabi
Wake Forest • “Sitting in a classroom is the easiest part of college and it cuts study time in half. Why make it hard on yourself? GO!” - Senior, University of Iowa • “What separated me
“their ‘expert’ advice is refreshingly insightful and often more encompassing than might be found in an adviser’s office.” “I could talk until I was blue in the face about
Here are some tips from ‘the experts’: • “The first few weeks are great. You’re meeting people, partying ... no tests, no papers. Then ...WHAM! Everything’s
during the first week of classes and write down the due date for every single paper, project, test or whatever. You’ll see instantly which weeks are potential killers.” - Junior,
from the masses was ‘connecting’ with a faculty member. I didn’t even know what the possibilities were until he laid out a ‘roadmap’ and showed me a few shortcuts to get
there. When my confidence was shaky, he reminded me that I could do it.” - Graduate, University of Michigan. • “Pick the professor, not the time of day.” - Junior, Duke University • “Get a job in the office of your major. You’ll get to know everyone from the secretaries to the dean, all of whom can be very helpful. If any great opportunities come along, you’ll be the first to know.” Senior, Indiana University • “There’s no reason to fail! There are people here to help and it’s free. Actually, you’ve paid for it so you might as well use it.” - Senior, Michigan State University “The students who make the most of their college experience aren’t necessarily the smartest ones. It’s often the average kids who know how to utilize the system, connect with the professors, take advantage of extracurricular activities, and manage their time well who reap the rewards,” Tyler says. “Been There, Should’ve Done That” can help students get all they can out of the next four years.
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
WESTERN BROWN HIGH SCHOOL Timothy Arey
Janelle Arn
Dylan Arnett
Dekaetah Ballard
Avery Barber
Kirsten Barnes
Sydni Barnes
Kimberly Barrackman
Emily Benfield
Zion Bennett
Dustin Bishop
Yasmine Blankenbeckler
Kindra Blankenship
Ricky Boehmer
Elizabeth Bolender
Kathryn Bolender
Elizabeth Booth
Christopher Bowman
Hannah Brashear
Victoria Brewer
Ethan Brooks
Evan Brooks
Michael Brusman
Allie Buttree
Colton Carroll
Zack Carter
Jacob Casey
Dylan Coffee
Keegan Collins
Elaina Colston
Jeffery Cook
Ryan Cooper
Paige Correll
Alyssa Craig
Madison Davis
Rose Dean
Madison DeRose
Josh Ehlman
Scott Enzweiler
Grace Erhardt
Alex Estep
Cade Eyre
Jenna Fightmaster
Jacob Finn
Elizabeth Fischer
Jordan Ford
Dylan Foster
Kiley Fox
Hailey Frederick
Madeline Galloway
Cole Garlesky
Morgan Gillham
Austin Grammer
Aaron Gray
Thomas Guthrie
Isabella Faith Hall
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant” Robert Louis Stevenson
“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
WESTERN BROWN HIGH SCHOOL Isabella Hall
Julie Hall
Thomas Hamilton
Jacob Henderson
Alexus Highfield
Carley Hinkle
Emma Holder
Christa Hopper
Faith Howard
Sarah Hubbard
Emily Huddleston
Jayla Hundemer
Zoe Hurst
Jarrett Ingle
Justin Ingram
Mahala Johnson
Jade Jones
Hunter Kattine
Abby Keith
Jasmine Kiser
Laren Kiser
Kaycee Klein
Cailyn Kohus
Jessie Kursim
Jacob Lang
Troy Lanson
Jeremy Lawson
McKenzie Leeth
Amy Lewis
Shawn Lewis
Taylor Lewis
Hannah Longbottom
Kaylee Loudon
Ty Lucas
Will Lucas
Chase Marcum
Ezra Marlow
Vanessa Martin
Devin McGuire
Clayton McIntosh
Josh McKinley
Nolan Mendenhall
Kaylyn Mingua
Chance Moore
Erin Morgan
Matthew Motley
Kaden Newberry
Zachery Otis
Brandon Partin
Thomas Phillips
Kaylee Planck
Kerina Pollitt
Iris Pratt
Hannah Purdin
Logan Reedy
Megan Richman
Congratulations to all 2020 Graduates!
Chad Robinson
Emma Sams
Alivia Sarver
Zach Segrist
Ian Shaffer
Madeline Shepherd
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
WESTERN BROWN HIGH SCHOOL Alexander Sicurella
Samuel Silcox
Layne Sizemore
Cara Skillman
Brooke Smith
Debra Smith
Kiara Smith
Abbigail South
Alyssa Spears
Andie Stith
Gage Strunk
Alliyah Taylor
Isabella Tesmer
Tabor Tesmer
Divine Thompson
Emily Thompson
Bailey Tolliver
Taylor Tolliver
Isaac Trevino
Chance Turner
Clayton Vineyard
Aston Wagner
Samarra Wagoner
Tanin Wallace
Arianna Waters
Alexis Weber
Hannah Westerbeck
Christian Whisner
“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world right in the eye.” Helen Keller
Waylen Whitaker
Kayla Wilson
Nicholas Wilson
Matthew Wolf
Congratulations To All Western Brown Graduates!
The next step in your future could be... Sidney Womacks
Rebecca Zahn
Southern Hills Post-Secondary
“Live all of your life. Understand it, see it, appreciate it. And have fun.” Joss Whedon
151 - 32 Parkway, Williamsburg OH 45176
937-378-6131 x401
Mt. Orab Food Court
Congratulations The Class of 2019
103 Glover Dr.
937-444-2601
Mt. Orab, OH
CLASS OF 2020
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition
How to make applying to college less stressful Applying to colleges is exciting for many high school students. But that excitement is sometimes tempered by anxiety. The college application process can affect students’ lives for years to come, so it’s understandable why some teenagers might feel stressed as they apply to college. The National Center for Educational Statistics says 69 percent of high school graduates in the United States enroll in college the fall after graduating from high school. Many students begin applying to college before entering their senior year of high school. Students can employ various strategies to make applying to college less stressful. Create an inventory of student experiences and awards When completing their college applications, students submit a variety of materials. In addition to students’ track records in
the classroom, schools will be interested in kids’ extracurricular activities, hobbies, volunteer work, and even things they do during their free time. Parents and students can work together to develop a master list that includes information about what students have accomplished during high school. These may include involvement in certain clubs, participation in sports teams, advanced ranking in scouting programs, or even a list of books read. Having this document handy will make it that much simpler to fill out college applications. Investigate the Common Application The Common Application began as a niche program for select private liberal arts colleges, but now has grown into an organization that services more than 750 schools. The organization enables students to create an ac-
count and complete one basic form that will be accepted by all institutions who are members. The CA helps students streamline the college application process and reduce redundancy. An alert system also helps applicants manage application deadlines. Avoid applying everywhere Some students think that applying to dozens of schools will improve their chances of being admitted. However, applicants may be wasting their time applying to schools they have no intention of attending, and that only adds to the stress of meeting deadlines. Narrow down the possibilities to a handful of favorite schools and go from there. Use the resources at your disposal Students who have access to guidance counselors, mentors, college centers, or even teachers who are willing to help
Gift ideas for high school grads High school graduation is a significant milestone in the lives of teenagers. The moment a teenager receives a high school diploma marks the culmination of years of hard work, and many parents and extended family members reward that hard work with gifts. The transition from high school student to college student or working professional is significant, and various items can help make that transition go as smoothly as possible. • Travel gear: Whether it’s utilized during road trips with roommates or on those handful of occasions when students come home on holiday breaks, travel gear can make for a useful gift for new high school graduates. A sturdy backpack/duffel bag combo can be ideal. It’s great for college students who might not be
ready for more expensive luggage, and it can be ideal for high school students taking gap years to do some overseas traveling before enrolling in college. • Coffee machine: A pot of fresh coffee can make late-night cram sessions or hours spent typing research papers into the wee hours of the morning more manageable. For students who will be living in crowded dorm rooms, opt for small coffee machines that don’t take up much space, such as those that are traditionally found inside hotel rooms. • Television: Parents want to imagine their college-bound teenagers spending hours holed up in the library. But college kids watch plenty of television, too, so a new television can make for a great gift that figures to get ample use.
• Academic planner: College course loads tend to be considerably more demanding than high school coursework. An academic planner can help new college students manage the rigors of their coursework by encouraging them to plan their days and weeks, ensuring no classes are missed and no assignments go unfinished. • Cash: Cash can make a great gift whether a grad is heading off to college or entering the workforce. Cash can help college students pay for their books and help those entering the workforce purchase a reliable car that will help them get around. Gifts for newly minted high school graduates can help them transition to the next phase of their lives, whether that will begin on a college campus or in the workforce.
with the application process should use these resources wisely. In addition, iPhone and Android apps can help streamline the college application process. Consider scholarships concurrently Some schools automati-
cally consider applicants for scholarships, grants and work-study programs. But that’s not so with every school, so students may have to apply on their own or rely on third parties for scholarships. Fastweb is a leading online resource to find scholar-
ships to pay for school. Advance preparation can make the college application process a lot less stressful for students and their parents.
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2020 Brown County Graduation Edition