Counselor’s Corner
by ALLISON TILLOTSON

May is one of the busiest months of the year in our school system. We are all running toward the finish line of a great race! It is an ending for students and staff members who are wrapping up another great school year. It is also a beginning for some – the senior classes are ready to graduate and take on the new challenges in their future. Emotions and spirits run high, but nothing brings more pleasure than finishing the race strong.

Applying for scholarships is like running a big race. I will probably never run a marathon, but I see the excitement and feel the energy of the runners and I want to contribute to the success of the race. I enjoy seeing the preparation and planning that each runner undertakes to be prepared for the ultimate challenge.

First, your runners must prepare themselves physically and mentally for each and every race. Scholarships require that same kind of commitment. You have to look at everything you have done to prepare for the race. Providing an updated resume, an essay about your future goals and dreams, knowing why you need the money for your education, learning about the different community organizations that award the scholarships and observing the deadlines and criteria for each scholarship are just a few steps in this process.

Strive to do more and better yourself in every way. What have you done to give back to the community which rewards you for your efforts? Be ready to talk about the challenges or opportunities you have seen along your running trail. Your “can-do” attitude about running is essential in this whole process. Are you the best you can be? Did you fall down during the race, but got up and kept running? Did you cross the finish line as the last runner knowing you had met your goal of finishing the race?

Determination of spirit and a strong will keep you coming back to the College and Career Center to look for more scholarship opportunities each and every day. You must take the time to prepare for the race—fill out the scholarship forms completely, accurately and on time. Do your best work and submit the neatest application in the county. Be prepared to share your talents and goals with an interview community. Win the scholarship race and bring home the gold! Your reward may be a certificate, a plaque or a $1,000 check.

Be grateful and gracious in receiving these awards. Give praise to your competitors and those who have won the race. You will continue to challenge yourself to each new race as you fill out every scholarship application you possibly can.

The big races with many runners have amazing sponsorship efforts from the entire community and we have the very best sponsors for all of our local scholarships. The Hays community and its organizations support our students in many ways, especially through the scholarship awards. We welcome our community members into our schools and we are most grateful and appreciative for the awards bestowed upon our students. Scholarships are one of the greatest rewards and accomplishments for our senior runners in the Class of 2010!

Allison Tillotson is a counselor at Lehman High School.