Ole Miss: A True Southern Belle

Paris-Yates Chapel

It is the second day of College Tour 2015, and I have learned what the term “Hotty Toddy” means.  We visited the University of Mississippi on Wednesday, the 24^th, and yet again found a college that exceeds expectations.  Located in Oxford, Mississippi, Ole Miss plays the role of the “flagship” university of Mississippi with all the genteel gestures that you would expect from this southern jewel. Established in 1848, Ole Miss hosts 20,000 students on the main campus which is adorned with classical architecture and facilities that are on the National Registry of Historical Places.  Ole Miss, like many other locations in the South, finds its roots intertwined with Antebellum and Civil War history, with great loss and struggle in the aftermath of this divisive conflict.  

The Lyceum

The Lyceum, the focal point of historical buildings on campus and the inspiration for the University’s current logo, was the University’s first all-purpose building and served as a hospital to both Confederate and Union soldiers during the war. It still displays bullet holes inflicted during the stormy days of integration in 1962.  James Meredith was the first African American student to integrate Ole Miss, and is immortalized on campus with a statue to commemorate his courageous act.  Ole Miss continues to shed its ties with Old South emblems and ideologies and embrace the more progressive New South.  The Rebel Flag, Colonel Reb (mascot) and relinquishing of Dixie as a common song that the marching

James Meredith Statue

band would play at football games are all parts of the transformation process that has started and still moves forward today.  Ole Miss finds itself leading the charge as an institution to remove the Confederate Battle Flag from the State Flag of Mississippi by removing the state flag from campus in October, 2015.  Its history and identity are quite complicated, and is something constantly evolving to inclusively represent more fully the ideals held by the 2311 African American students, approximately 11% of the total enrolment. 

One cannot think of Ole Miss without thinking of famed American author, William Faulkner.  A resident of Oxford and former student, Faulkner was named Nobel Laureate in 1950.  Credited with writing some of the greatest American novels of all time, Faulkner hosted question and answer sessions at Bondurant Hall to students in the English Department in the 1950s.  The College of Liberal Arts offers a degree in professional writing due in large part to the influence Faulkner’s life and work.  His impact on Ole Miss and American Literature cannot be overestimated.

History is not all that Ole Miss has to offer.  Ole Miss offers great opportunities to prospective and current students.  The Law, Medical and Pharmacy Schools all offer professional degrees to students with high pass rates on professional exiting exams.  All of the typical majors one would expect from a flagship, liberal arts institution can be found there as well.   Several majors of interest include Integrated Marketing, offered through the Journalism School, Geological Engineering offered through the College of Engineering, and intensive language programs that produce fluency and culminate in an extended stay in the country of the language being studied.  Class sizes are 34 students on average with a 19:1 ratio of student to professor.  As for safety, last year Ole Miss was voted the safest campus in the SEC.

Admissions at Ole Miss offers access to many students to this large, SEC school education. If a student earns at least a 2.75 and a 1020 (Critical Reading and Math) SAT or a 22 composite ACT, that student is automatically accepted to the University of Mississippi.  Better scores garner respectable scholarships.  For students interested in teaching either English, math or science and are willing to work in the State of Mississippi for up to eight years after graduation, service cancelable loans are available to cover the expenses that the scholarship programs in place will not, so this can mean a virtually free education.  A much more detailed listing of scholarships (including monies given for high SAT or ACT scores) can be found at http://finaid.olemiss.edu/scholarships/#9.

 

The Grove

As with every other SEC school, athletics, namely football, is the thing.  Ole Miss’s traditions that surround football are as rich as any other.  Archie Manning being honored by having all speed limits set to match his jersey number of 18, tailgating in the Grove, dressing in your Sunday’s best for a Saturday game are each integral to the game day experience at Ole Miss.  The term Hotty Toddy was a derivative taken from when visiting fans would describe Ole Miss fans as “hoity toity” describing their seemingly overdressed nature.  Bowties for the guys and heels for the girls is the norm for students to Ole Miss games.  This matches the flare that tailgating takes on in the Grove.  Linen table cloths are standard for this austere occasion. 

As with Mississippi Sate, character matters at Ole Miss.  They too have an honor code that is meant to ensure that students graduate with honor.  Character matters more than degrees.

Once again, I can find a ton of things to like about being an undergraduate student at Ole Miss.  A special note to my seniors- whether you are going to stay local or go off to lands far to get your college education, one thing is for sure, you are entering into a very special time in your life.  The setting is not nearly as important as the mindset you have going in.  Remember that in addition to being there for the opportunity to learn about things you have never imagined, you are also there to grow as a human into adulthood.  You are there to progress, and in doing so, you will emerge on the other side with the same realization that I have- those were an amazing four years.  See you guys on Monday when we finish this semester strong!

Mississippi State University Campus Visit

Drill Field at the Heart of MSU

On Tuesday, November 24th, I took the chance to visit Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi with my family.  What a great experience! We all came away from our visit easily understanding why MSU students and alumni hold in high esteem their beloved school and the quaint town of Starkville.  "Hail State!" is more than just a battle cry, it is a designation of honor.

In 1878, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi was established by the Mississippi Legislature to provide training in "agriculture and the mechanical arts...without excluding other scientific and classical studies, including military tactics."  This institution, located 35 miles over the Mississippi State line, eventually became known as Mississippi State University.

View of Water Tower on Campus

21,000 students call this 4200 acre campus their educational home, where they have access to 100+ majors. MSU is a Teir 1 Research University, which roughly means that it boasts over 300 million dollars earmarked for research annually and hires highly qualified professors, 85% of which hold terminal degrees.  This translates into great opportunities for students to explore, learn and maximize their employable skills.

Arriving on campus, one gets the sense that it sprawls out and is only accessible by long bus rides between classes. This is not the case, however, as academic buildings, dining halls, and

Davis-Wade Stadium

dormitories are all centrally and conveniently located to each other.  As with other major universities, especially in the SEC, the football stadium is at the heart of campus.  Davis-Wade Stadium seats 61,337 and plays host to the MSU Bulldogs on Saturdays in the fall.  The impact that athletic programs have on the experience campus life offers is undeniable. Cowbells ring proudly.  Legend has it that a cow wondered out on the field during a football game in the early years on a day when the MSU football team was down to their rival. The cow served as a boost to the student body and to the football team.  As a measure to continue the good luck, the school transported the cow to games, but soon realized that this was a bit cumbersome.  The student body adopted ringing a cowbell as an easy substitute.  Visiting football teams and fans will attest to the maddening nature that 50,000 cowbells ringing

Left Field at Dudy Noble Field

simultaneously can produce.  Football is not the only sport that holds a special place in the hearts of MSU alumni and students; the baseball team plays at Dudy Noble Field, a location with an eclectic assemblage of homemade, mobile bleachers that have been built atop a variety of vehicles in the left field pavilion. Attending a game here has been named a "must do" by ESPN. Also, basketball, which is played at the "Hump," Humphrey Coliseum, is a welcomed diversion for students during the winter months as well.  Every MSU student will culminate their degrees with a trip across the stage at the Hump, where graduation is held.

In addition to the wonderful opportunities that students have as spectators of athletic events, they also

Perry Cafeteria

have over 350 clubs and student organizations they can join, but only 20% of campus is affiliated with a greek organization.  Study abroad programs, as they are with many schools, are an important feature of an MSU student's education.  The Shackouls Honors Program can accent a student's education with small class sizes, preferred housing with other honors program students, and access to the type of treatment that says, "what do you want to do? We want to help you do it."

Chapel of Memories

Specific opportunities that were presented on our visit were accomplishments like the EcoCar Team that designed a car that gets 118 miles to one gallon of gas.  This accomplishment won them a national competition against teams from 17 other major universities.  Another opportunity for business majors is the Center for Entrepreneurial Development where students find assistance with patents for inventions and innovations and financial assistance with new business start ups.

With the eight schools on campus, a vast variety of majors are available.  Some specialty degrees that are offered are a business degree in Professional Golf Management (one of eighteen in the USA), Aerospace Engineering (along with many other engineering programs), which is offered through the Bagley College of Engineering,  a Studio-Based Building Construction program (one of two in the USA), offered through the College of Architectural Design, and Fashion Design and Merchandising, which scores students internships with Michael Kors, Vera Wang and Marc Jacobs.

One aspect that I found particularly attractive as a parent was something that no one made a single

mention of in any presentation or tour.  It was a sign that was displayed in one of the dormitories that addressed the honor code that my son or daughter will be expected to abide by as a student. This is exactly what I expect from my kids at home... why wouldn't I want that when they go off to school?

As with all college decisions, cost is a reality that must be taken into the decision. A misconception that I have had and have even spoken to families about is the incorrect belief that in-state tuition is granted for the sophomore, junior and senior years of college at MSU for out-of-state students.  This is not the case.   Out-of-State tuition, dormitory and meal plan will cost a family $29, 210.  This is a lot more than most in-state schools with HOPE, but Mississippi State is very generous with scholarships based upon solid GPAs and nice ACT/SAT scores.  Take a minute to see how high performance can truly make MSU an affordable option: scholarships.msstate.edu.  All things considered, it may only be slightly more expensive for your student to experience an education outside of the confines of the State of Georgia.

Tomorrow, we will visit Ole Miss.  I encourage you to start your college visits.  Not only does a visit to a campus spark the imagination of a student, it is a blast.  These visits help students of any age to connect the dots with the hard work of high school with the great four years that await a student beyond.  Your junior or senior will get two days excused absence this year to take a visit.  A freshman or sophomore will get enough benefit from a visit to offset the absence that it will cost. Setting up visits is easy through the admissions office website.  Let's get to it, Titans!  Hope you are having a great Thanksgiving week off!

Mike Kulp

Valdosta State University Is Coming to NOHS on November 30

Ms. Loanne Liu from the Office of Admission from Valdosta State University will be here on Monday, November 30th during Titan Time.  If you are interested in learning more about why Valdosta may be a great fit for you, please register for this meeting below:

Register for Valdosta State Meeting on Nov. 30

Walton EMC Scholarship

Walton EMC is pleased to offer ten $1000 scholarships to students whose parents are served by Walton EMC for electricity.  Applications are due to Walton EMC no later than January 22, 2016.

Walter Harison/Walton EMC Scholarship Application

Pilot Club Scholarship

The Pilot Club is seeking a senior who has devoted himself or herself to serving others in the community. The Pilot Club Foundation of Georgia will award three $1500 scholarships to deserving students from the State of Georgia. Completed applications must be submitted to the Guidance Office no later than 4 pm on January 10, 2016. Attached you will find the criteria for the Scholarship and the Scholarship application.

Pilot Club Scholarship Application

Pilot Club Scholarship Information

Superdad Need Not Apply

One of the toughest things to do as a parent is to see your child struggle with something.  As a guidance counselor in my early professional years, I can remember offering advice as the "expert" to parents who were struggling with raising children.  Wow, did I learn a lot about whether or not my advice was sound when I had my own children.  Until I had my own children, I had no idea the huge chasm between what I "ought" to do and what "feels" right.  I now recognize it as parenting with my Logical Brain versus parenting with my Emotional Brain.

My Logical Brain tells me what I should do based upon well thought out planning, establishing solid rewards for good behavior and consequences for bad behavior, using advice from people who have had good results in their own children and from experts that match up well with my own theories about human behavior, and allowing my child to learn from mistakes.  The Logical Brain tries (mind you, tries) to drown out the calls from the other camp- the Emotional Brain, and make sound judgments without allowing the calls of irrational fears, hurt from a child's lack of need for me as she grows into an adult, or imposing my own goals for my child to drown out the healthy goals that he has for his life for the sake of my own pride.

My Emotional Brain recognizes the importance of relationship and longs for that to be maximized with a person who will soon be moving on from my day-to-day contact.  It births intentionality into each moment and propels me to react to the needs of the moment, regardless of whether I fully know what to do or not.  It calls me to the rescue.  I have to be Superdad, not because my child needs it, as much as it is because I need to wear the cape for my own sense of worth.  It begs me to give, without regard of merit, just give.  It bids me to entertain so that boredom will not be uncomfortable for my child, but, more honestly, for me.  The Emotional Brain screams at the Logical Brain camp to act- NOW!! with whatever brings back comfort and equilibrium when difficulty arises.

What a conflict.  This reality is the same for every parent that I have ever known.  Some parents live in one camp more than the other, but they all keep a toothbrush in each, metaphorically speaking. Face it, a little bit of each is needed in almost every situation that comes up in parenting.  The danger lies in allowing the Emotional Camp to dominate our thoughts and approaches, as the emotional decisions that we make often turn out to be the ones we regret- over eating when I am hungry, buying the latest fade because I thought I deserved it, etc.  It is so important to operate from the Logical Brain camp by being deliberate.  Remember the definition of deliberate? de lib er ate- adjective- done consciously and intentionally, verb- engage in long and careful consideration.  We need to consider whether or not rescuing a child from a difficult situation is the very best for him.  Often the answer is a resounding "NO" from the Logical Camp and "YES, NOW!" from the Emotional Camp.

By rescuing my child, I have taken away the best part of mistakes- the chance to learn from them, and I always want to be about my children learning.  It reminds me of the chrysalis. We also know this term as cocoon, where the caterpillar becomes the butterfly.  A very important part of this process is when the freshly emerging butterfly begins to break out of its transformational chamber.  The struggle is immense as it wrestles to free itself from the grip of its tightly wound shell, but it is from this struggle that the strength to fly is developed in its wings.  It is the same with our own children- the struggle builds the fortitude that will carry them through the rest of their life.  Without allowing the struggle, our children will not be ready for the next thing and may resort to nesting- not good.  Incidentally, who made the shell that the butterfly had to work so hard to free itself from?  Of course the answer is the butterfly, itself, in its early (uglier) state-of-being.  Our children will make their own dilemmas; we must let them work it out so that they can become a better version of who they are, just like the butterfly.  The long term effects are deeply satisfying.

Nice story, huh?  I wish it didn't make my Emotional Brain writhe in anguish to see my child struggle.  I wish that their mistakes didn't carry with it the dings that they do.  For example, a C on the transcript will harm a HOPE GPA, and cost me more money in tuition, or a speeding ticket being paid for will allow my daughter to keep driving, thus saving me from the inconvenience of transporting her myself.  The short term effects of rescuing him are edifying to me to be Superdad too. When a dilemma with my child comes along, I cannot escape the haunting question of whether I am making a parenting decision that feels good for my own benefit or whether I am making a courageously difficult, not-so-good feeling decision to experience the long term best for my child.

I want to encourage all of us to embrace the Logical Brain of parenting as we make decisions that will make great adults who are self-sufficient.  In this world where so much is provided to our students without having to struggle for it, we are running the risk of sending kids into job interviews without the ability to manage their lives.  This reality will ultimately make us look back on the emotional decisions we made to shield our students and wish that we had made the tough logical ones when we had the chance.  After all, the 23 year old version of my child is one that I will want to look up to and admire one day, even if I have to wear out my toothbrush in the Logical Camp to do so.

As always, we are here to help you and your students to navigate through these formative years together.  NOHS Guidance Folks are honored to be on the same team with you.

Mike Kulp

Cavaliers' Club Scholarship

The Cavaliers' Club of Athens, Georgia will give three $500 scholarships to students at Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central, North Oconee and Oconee County High.  Applicants must have a 3.0 or better GPA, proof that he or she has been accepted to a school for the fall of 2016, three letters of recommendation, and be on track to graduate on time.  Applications are due by March 1st, 2016.

Cavaliers' Club Scholarship Application

VetCAMP at UGA School of Veterinary Medicine

The University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine will host VetCAMP (Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program) this summer. VetCAMP is a seven-day program aimed at helping students experience veterinary medicine as a potential career path. VetCAMP will host up to 52 rising high school juniors/seniors or graduating seniors for the program. Registration materials must be received in the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Office for Academic Affairs by Friday, January 29, 2016 for the student(s) to be considered for VetCAMP. Accepted student notifications will be email by Friday, February 26, 2016.

For more information please see the attached brochure.

VetCAMP Brochure

Do You Love Music and Helping People?

Music is a therapeutic tool that helps people suffering with emotional issues.  A music therapist uses music (either through playing an instrument or listening to) to help patients cope with post-traumatic stresses.  Students who love to help people and who love music may find a rewarding career as a music therapist.  UGA offers a Music Therapy degree, and Dr. Roy Kennedy (Area Chair of Music Therapy at UGA) and Mr. Christopher Hallum (Recruiter for Hodgson School of Music at UGA) will be at North Oconee on Thursday, November 19th during Titan Time.  This meeting will be held in the Guidance Office, and as always, if you wish to attend, please register by using the form below:

Register to attend this meeting

Baldor Employees

If you have a student who is a senior, here is a scholarship for you: https://www.scholarsapply.org/baldor/ Application due date is January 29, 2016.

Plum Creek Community Scholarship

The folks at Plum Creek are offering a $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior who is going to a four year, two year or technical college in the fall of 2016. Applications are due by January 27, 2016.

Plum Creek Community Scholarship Application

Middle Georgia State University to visit NOHS on Nov. 17th

Marina Wilson will be at NOHS on November 17th during Titan Time and at lunch to talk about the opportunities you would have at this university that is less than 2 hours from home.

Click here is you would like to attend the Middle Georgia State University Meeting

Seniors:

If you are interested in attending Presbyterian College, Please email mkulp@oconeeschools.org.  We know of a $1000 scholarship for students who are going to Presbyterian.

9 Ways to Save on College Costs

Clark Howard (my friend and yours) has published a list of nine ways to save on college expenses.   Love that Clark Howard!

http://www.clarkhoward.com/9-ways-to-pay-for-college-without-student-loans

Since we are on the subject, Go ahead and put the Financial Aid Parent Night meeting on your calendar for January 21st at 6 pm in the Fine Arts Auditorium.  Give us one hour, and you will be much better prepared to complete a FAFSA form!

Helping Your Student Deal with Stress and Anxiety

Here is an exciting learning opportunity this month for parents of students with learning differences!  Feelings of stress and anxiety related to school can seem overwhelming, to both students and their families; students who experience learning differences can be particularly affected.  Oconee County Schools' next Weeknight Workshop for parents has been planned to help families with this issue.  Drs. Abelkop, Mason, Peters & Prowell from Athens Psychological Services will share information on identifying signs of stress, coping with anxiety, and ideas to enable families to navigate these issues successfully; a question and answer session will follow.  In order to encourage free discussion, this workshop is for parents only; childcare is not provided. This free Weeknight Workshop will be on Monday, November 16, at 6:30 pm in the Community Meeting Room at Oconee Veterans Park (3500A Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville).  

Click here for more information

Georgia State Honors Program is coming to North Oconee

Ashley Young from the Honors Program at Georgia State University will be here on November 12th during Titan Time.  If you wish to attend, please click the link below.

Click here to register for the Georgia State Honors Program presentation

Taking a UNG Class Next Semester Through Move On When Ready?

This is a great opportunity that students have to earn college credits while still in high school at no charge to the family.  If you are planning on taking a course (or courses) this coming spring, you will be required to take at least one of your courses on an Oconee County high school campus (NOHS or OCHS).  The courses that are offered at each are as follows:

MATH 1113 Mon/Wed 8:15-9:30 at NOHS (recommended for students who have completed either MATH 1111 or Accelerated Precalculus)

PSYCH 1101 Mon/Wed 2:00-3:15 at NOHS

ENG 1102 Tues/Thurs 8:15-9:30 at OCHS Must have passed ENG 1101 or made a 3 or 4 on the AP Language Arts test)

COMM 1110 Tues/Thur 2:00-3:15 at OCHS (This is a public speaking course- a truly valuable skill in the future workplace)

These courses will offer families a convenience that will save gas, time and keep students off the road as much.  These courses are part of the partnership between Oconee County School System and University of North Georgia Oconee Campus.  If you are currently a junior or senior and are interested in applying for this opportunity, please complete the attached application and take it to UNG Oconee's Office of Admission.  The new deadline for all documents to be submitted has been moved to December 1st.  In addition to this application, you must include:

1. $30 application fee
2. transcript (should be sent through www.gacollege411.org to UNG)
3. copy of your drivers license
4. a copy of your test score- must have a 970 two-way (Critical Reading- 480 & Math- 440 minimums) or a 20 composite on the ACT (20 English & 18 Math minimums)

You must have a 3.25 HOPE GPA minimum to be eligible for MOWR as well.  How can you see your HOPE GPA?

1. go to www.gacollege411.org
2. On Home Page, click on "Your HOPE GPA" in the Short Cuts box on the right side
3. log in. Did you forget your log in information?  Use the "Forgot user name or password" help provided.
4. Once logged in, pick which high school you go to, and then you will see your HOPE GPA.
5. If you want to see how it was calculated, click on "view detailed report." You will then see a copy of your transcript that will be helpful in the future.

United States Air Force Academy Day

On December 19th, there will be an Air Force Academy Day.  If you are interested in going to the Air Force Academy, this is meeting is really important.

Air Force Academy Day Flyer

Armstrong Atlantic State Will Be at NOHS on November 9th

Cynthia Warden from Armstrong Atlantic will be here on Nov. 9th during Titan Time.  If you are interested in learning more about attending school in beautiful Savannah, please register through the link below:

Armstrong Atlantic Meeting Registration