WOW–Opportunity is EVERYWHERE . . . you just gotta look . . .

Park Scholars, Part one . . .

Ok . . . I just participated in a video conference with several of my friends, a couple of counselors and the nice people from the Park Scholars Program at North Carolina State.

There are so many great schools and scholarships, the hard part is really matching your wants and needs with colleges that will be a good fit for YOU! I thought I’d share some of the details of the Park Program with you.

Mr. Roy Park, a 1931 grad of North Carolina State, and a guy who made buckets of money in several areas–cake mixes to communications, was grateful for his NCSU education. So . . . he endowed the amazing Park Scholars program that is far more than a scholarship program. It really is a living/learning experience designed to take the best and brightest from all over, give them a quality learning experience, and provide them with first-class mentoring. Myron Burney from the NCSU admissions office and Holley Nichols,
the Assistant Director of the Park Program, were our video conference presenters.

The $ current value of Park scholarship award is more than $135,000. This award is far more than money–it is an investment in the future of the students who win the award. Park Scholars get amazing internships and are partnered with faculty mentors who follow students for their time at the university. Park students have two retreats–first as freshmen they participate in a retreat in North Carolina. As seniors, they get to select a national park for their retreat (last year they went to the Grand Canyon and this year they are going to Rocky Mountain National Park). These students can apply for travel grants to study all sorts of things–volcanoes to Italian Renaissance art, medical research to a semester abroad, etc. These students have group problem-solving experiences that make them well-suited to corporate, government, and nonprofit careers where team work is so critical to success of the endeavors.

Next time, I’ll fill you in on how to get one of these remarkable scholarships.

L8R,
Clyde

A’s and Ice Cream...

At my school, the first day of school is a half day with an ice-cream party to send us home. We have sprinkles and everything. How cool is that? The headmaster at my school tells all the students that everyone has A’s–the goal is to keep them.

Think about it. No matter whether you are a high school freshman or a college freshman, you begin each school year with a clean slate and the potential to be very successful. That’s a lot to paw over...

Now...if I could only find some more of that ice cream.

L8R,
Clyde

Heads UP Freshmen!

You might feel like the youngest chicken in school…

Anyone ever tell you that your freshman year is just to get you adjusted to the demands of high school and start you on your travels to adulthood? Well, they are partly right in telling you that. However, freshman year is the foundation of the rest of your life–academically, personally, socially. What will you make of yourself? How will you set yourself apart? What course will you plot to achieve the dreams you have? Make the most of these opportunities. Think about how your freshman year is a foundation–a springboard to your future. (note: solid trumps quick sand every time!)

F When you begin high school, you have an empty building lot. Work on the foundation to your future–in the classroom, in extracurriculars and in the community. To have the most options when you graduate, be careful how you set your foundation.

O Be open to the possibilities. Never been in a play before? So what–try! Consider a service organization. Use every opportunity–they only come around once.

U Lots of people–adults, older students, siblings, peers will have underexpectations for you. Out performing the underexpectations of others should be your mantra–be the best YOU that you can be.

N Look for new and exciting opportunities.

D Daily commitments matter. Goals are achieved by working toward them on a daily basis.

A Attitude matters. My counselor has a favorite Lou Holtz quote: Ability is what you’re capable of; Motivation determines what you do; Attitude determines how well you do it.

T Take time to enjoy what you are doing. High school should be fun. Yes, it is work–it is really your JOB right now to get the best education that you can. Maximize those opportunities!


I I wish I had . . . Don’t let this be you. Believe it or not, high school will fly by–ask a senior. While it is good to assess where you have been, you don’t want to look back as you graduate and realize that you haven’t made the most of your opportunities.


O Only you can set your future into motion. You must act on the opportunities. The parade can and will pass you by if you don’t!

N Never give up. You might have to change course–flexibility is important to success, but shoot for the stars. Make a plan, alter it when necessary, and keep the forward motion going.

Even if you are just starting out –you need to realize that your future begins TODAY!


L8R,
Clyde

Believe it or Not…

Hi, I’m Clyde’s friend Ripley. You might think I don’t look like the kind
of friend Clyde would have, seeing as I’m only about six inches tall (eight
when I arch my back) and of the feline persuasion, but let me assure you
that Clyde and I are steadfast friends.

I’m a new senior this year, just starting the whole terrifying process of
applying for colleges. Don’t get me wrong; I’m very excited about being a
senior. But the year’s already exhausting. I mean, with all these
ridiculously hard classes and tests and homework every night, it’s hard to
get the energy to do any more work. And the weekends, too! I mean, can’t a
cat just take a nap? I thought senior year was supposed to be easy. It’s
all so overwhelming. But I can’t stop now. If I want to be competitive and
look good on paper, I have to keep it up.

But it’s not just the hard work that has me nervous. It’s the decisions. The
Big Decision. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I think the best tactic is
to just take things as they come. Right now it’s just gathering my list and
applying.

Well, I think I need to go now before I stress myself out too much.

L8R,
Ripley

Back by Pawpular Demand . . .

OK—technically I graduated (well…let’s say I participated in graduation as I do every year.)

When I left you in June, I was mulling what I’d be doing this year. The verdict is in. I’m hanging around my school, seeing where I can find information to share with high school students as they navigate their way to the futures of their dreams. I’m gonna help you turn over stones and see opportunities behind every rock.☺.

By the way, I also had a traumatic experience this summer. I was minding my own business—simply on an outing in the water with my humans, and BAM…I was bitten by an alligator.My gap year will be dedicated to helping you find your way—wherever you are in the high school to college journey.

Follow me and some of my friends and I’ll bet you’ll learn some things as we make our own pawprints☺☺☺!


Woof,
Clyde