Ready? Set. GO!

Interested in college, but not sure how to getthere? College GO! Week may be just what youneed. The weeklong event is September 26-30and encourages Hoosiers to plan for college bymaking good use of practical tips from LearnMore Indiana and local resources.Marion High Schoolseniors will have an opportunityto receive helpin applying for a collegeon Sept. 28 at the highschool. Senior English classes will all take partin College Application labs, where communityvolunteers will help them complete online collegeapplications. Contact Project Leadership at651-0650 or sgibson@projectleadership.org tovolunteer or participate in the event.Some colleges have waived application feesfrom September 26-30 in honor of College GO!Week. And some students, such as Twenty-firstCentury Scholars, can receive application waiversfor certain colleges. For more details aboutapplication fees at Indiana colleges, visit www.collegegoweekindiana.org.

Splash Bash

It’s open enrollment season for Project Leadership’smentoring program for Twenty-first Century Scholars.To celebrate the start of a new school year, Project Leadership mentees,mentors and families gathered on Sunday for the annual Splash Bash atMarion’s Splash House. If you are a Grant County high school student whois a Twenty-first Century Scholar, call Project Leadership at 765-651-0650to apply to the mentoring program. Community volunteers who areinterested in being an encourager to a high school student may call ore-mail Project Leadership at sgibson@projectleadership.org.

It’s a back-to-school Splash Bash

With a new school year gearingup, opportunities are runningout to get out there and enjoyone last blast for the summer.Project Leadership participantsand their families are invited tothe fourth annual Back toSchool Splash Bash at Marion’sSplash House water park (2601South Adams St.).This event will be held on Sunday,August 28th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Attendees will havethe opportunity to enjoy all ofthe water park’s features includingits multiple waterslides, TheBig Flush and the new wave pool.In addition to free park admission, the first 100 Project Leadership mentees to arrive at thepark will receive a backpack of school supplies to get the year started. Pizza and drinks willbe served at 7 p.m. with a brief welcome from Project Leadership.Mentoring program participants interested in attending this event are asked to RSVP by callingProject Leadership at (765) 651-0650.Project Leadership’s mentoring program serves all five of Grant County’s high schools. Communitymentors are paired with local Twenty-first Century Scholars to provide support throughthe high school years and guidance toward a post-secondary education. Grant CountyTwenty-first Century Scholars interested in becoming a Project Leadership mentee are encouragedto contact Project Leadership at the number above to schedule an interview andreceive their invitation to the Splash Bash.

SAT and ACT

Deadlines are rapidly approaching to registerfor the OctoberACT and SAT tests.September 9th is the registration deadlinefor the Oct. 1 SAT test. Go tohttp://www.sat.collegeboard.org/ to register.Sept 16th is the registration deadline forthe Oct. 22 ACT test. Go tohttp://www.actstudent.org/ to register.Most four-year universities require a standardizedadmission test, usually the ACTor SAT. Indiana’s four-year universitiesaccept test scores from both tests.Practice tests and additional informationabout the ACT and SAT are available atboth test websites and also athttp://www.learnmoreindiana.org/

1-on-1 Guidance

Project Leadership is calling out to Grant County’sfreshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors tocommit to their dreams and seek out theone-on-one support that only a mentor can provide.Call Project Leadership at 765-651-0650 tolearn more or visit www.projectleadership.org.

6 Mentors talk about their Mentees

“I am so proud of Chelsea. She knows that she does not have to be perfect. Each time we meet, she shares her heart and asks if she is in need of help, has any concerns or just needs a listening ear. She has proven to be a hardworker and takes responsibility for her own actions. I am so looking forward to the upcoming years because each year gets better.” -Deborah

Tyler is an honest young man. A good citizen, worker at Little Caesar's,athlete, actor,band member,positive thinker,Black History Club and Youth for Christ member.He is working hard in highschool and is looking forward to college.” -Frank

“Karin is just a plain joy to be around. Karin has successfully made the transition (to a new school) and did it with grace and confidence. She has maintained her grades while adjusting to a new school.” -Sandra

“Brittany has come a long way since we first got together. Brittany has had an impact on my life and taught me much. I believe the two of us have accomplished what Project Leadership and the mentoring program are all about.” -Belinda

“Angelo is a sterling example of what the program can do and who it can benefit.Angelo demonstrates dedication and intelligence in all that he does at school and in life. This program is just what he needs to give him the extra support he needs to flourish and move onto college.” -Mike

Chelsea hasbeen such ablessing tomentor for thelast 3 years. She has faced many challenges in her life. She is a very focused young lady and very determined to succeed. Chelsea is a very talented,dedicated, and thoughtful person.” -Phyllis

Students find college money at FAFSA labs

Shawn Butcher’s 90-minute visit to a financial aid workshop this week was almost as euphoric as winning the lottery.
The mother of three high school seniors was one of several parents who attended a FAFSA lab at Mississinewa High School. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students who want to pursue college must complete the FAFSA by March 10th. The Community Foundation of Grant County, Grant County Superintendents’ Consortium and Project Leadership partnered to host the labs, which are coming to each high school in Grant County this month. The labs are conducted by Murray & Associates: The National Center for College Costs.
The lab produced grins all around for the Butcher family.
“In half an hour I just made $16,000,” said Shawn as she completed her first FAFSA with her son Michael. “Where else can I go and make that kind of money in half an hour?”
Shawn completed online FAFSA applications for each of her three children who will be attending college next year. Thanks to the financial aid and FAFSA completion, Michael, Shawna and Amanda will be attending Lincoln Tech, Manchester College and Ivy Tech.
Based on her experience, Shawn encouraged other parents to participate in the FAFSA labs.
“It’s definitely worth taking your lunch break or personal time,” she said.
“If I don’t invest in my kids, who will?” Shawn said. “This is an investment in their future. They talk about human capital. I feel like I’ve increased the capital in my little part of the world.”
Grant County parents and students will have three more opportunities to attend labs. The high school labs will be Feb. 22 at Eastbrook; Feb. 23 at Marion; and Feb. 24 at Oak Hill. The labs are open from the start of school until 7 p.m. each of those days.
Shawn was thankful she didn’t miss the opportunity. On her way out of the Mississinewa FAFSA lab, she stopped for one last task.
Shawn, who’s pursuing her dream in a business career by attending Indiana Wesleyan University, decided to fill out her own FAFSA.

PL Page: Do YOU have what it takes to be a mentor?

No. 1: It takes an hour. There’s a lot you can do in an hour. Wash a load of clothes, make a trip to the grocery or organize your kitchen utensil drawer. But doesn’t hanging out with an inspirational Grant County high school student sound like a LOT more fun?

No. 2: You will make a difference.
A serious difference. An attendance study at one of our local high schools showed that Twenty-first Century Scholars who are mentored had a daily school attendance rate that was twice as good as those not being mentored. Mentors really do make a difference in students’ academics, behavior and life choices.

No. 3: You care. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have made it to Reason No. 3. Everyone needs encouragers in their lives — ones that come from a range of backgrounds and experiences. You’ve made some mistakes in your life and have learned from them. Now, it’s time to pass those lessons on to students who are ready to learn from you

To keep up to date with Project Leadership's programming, check out the PL page in the Chronicle-Tribune!