Wednesday, March 30, 2016

What's Stopping You??

Did you know that you don't need a GPA of 4.0 or to be a poor starving student to qualify for scholarships?  There are scholarships for just about everything.  What you do need is a strong desire to graduate debt-free and the willingness to do whatever it takes to make that a reality. 

What's stopping you?????

Song of the Day - -Imagine

Dare to dream!!

Message for the Day --The Extra Degree

Just a little more effort is all it takes.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Desert Outlook Foundation Scholarship


Desert Regional Foundation Scholarship

Deadline:  April 25, 2016
Since this is a local scholarship, you should definitely apply if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Applicants will be selected based on the following:

Awards will range from $1,300 to $1,500
  • Financial need
  • Scholastic achievement
  • Community service
  • Full time student/Essay
  • Career or educational goal
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Oral interview

Song of the Day- The River of Dreams

A nice happy tune.

Quote of the Day/Attention

The Secret of Friendship
is giving friends your full attention when conversing with them.

--J. Donald Walters

Monday, March 28, 2016

Song for the Day/Dancing on the Ceiling

Be happy!!

Quote for the Day. Rejoicing

The Secret of Friendship
is rejoicing in a friend's good fortune, and never drawing unfavorable comparisons to your own condition.

Last Day to Drop Classes

Tomorrow, March 29th, is the last day to drop full-term classes with a grade of "W". 
If you are struggling with a class and don't think that you can catch up, it is best to officially drop.  A "W" won't hurt your GPA, but it will affect the repeatability of the class. Check with your counselor and instructor before dropping a class.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Fitness Lifestyle Scholarship $500

Fitness Lifestyle Scholarship
Deadline: June 30, 2016
Full-time student in college, an alumni, or in high school

www.collegescholarships.com

Quote for the Day -- Expression

The Secret of Friendship
is expressing kindness with your eyes and through the tone of your voice, not only with words.

--J. Donald Walters

Ave Maria

This young girl is absolutely amazing.  Also, quite a little beauty.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Soroptimist Scholarship Award Dinner

Carol was my student years ago and is now a dialysis nurse.  She was the guest speaker at the scholarship award ceremony last Thursday. Another more recent student won two scholarships.  This is what makes being a teacher all worth while.

Another Personal Essay Tip

Remember that your personal essay is not written the same way that you would write a paper for your other classes.  Since this is a personal statement, you will be writing from your heart.  Write about how it felt or feels.  You want to show and not tell.  You want the reader to feel like they just experienced, themselves, without being told what or how to feel.

Quote for the Day/Accepting

The Secret of Friendship
is accepting your friends as they are, and not trying to recreate them in your image, or according to your own desires.

J. Donald Walters

It's a Beautiful Day

Enjoy!!!!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Panis Angelicus

Seems just right with Easter a few days away.

Quote of the Day Listening

The Secret of Friendship
is being more interested in listening to others than in getting them to listen to you.

--J. Donald Walters

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

A Tip on Writing Your Personal Essay.

Your personal essay is the most important document in your scholarship application.  It is really critical to understand yourself before you try to write a convincing statement. This is not like most papers that you have written for other classes.  You are the expert on this subject.  You know more about YOU than anyone else, but if you haven't stopped to ask yourself certain questions, then you won't be able to paint the picture properly.  Show the reader who you are and why you should be a winner.  Think within, evaluate your thoughts, and write from the heart.

Quote of the Day (Friendship)

The Secret of Friendship
is exercising discrimination in your choice of friends: preferring sincerity over praise, and loyalty over friendly smiles.

--J. Donald Walters

To all of the Honey Bunnies

Have a fun SPRING Break and a Happy Easter.  Enjoy this song by Troy Lockhart and sung by Julie Andrews.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Frito Lay Sweepstakes $250,000

Deadline is tonight at 11:59 CT
This is a sweepstakes and the odds of winning are not great, BUT what do you have to lose?

Eligibility:  Legal residents of any of the 50 states,  Eighteen years or older.

Go to:  www.flavorswap.com

GOOD LUCK!!!

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Learn to Love Yourself!

Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all!

Song for the Day (Endless Love)

What we all wish for!  Enjoy.

Quote for the Day!

"My thoughts are free to go anywhere, but it's surprising how often they head in your direction."

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Why do you deserve to be the winner?

You have won a scholarship!!
Being selected as the winner of a scholarship is a sweet thing indeed, but what does it take to be selected above all other applicants?  For the last few years, prior to actually teaching my students how to start writing their personal statement, I have them write two paragraphs about why they believe that they are the most deserving.  My instructions state very clearly what I don't want.
I don't want to hear that:
1.  You are a hard worker.
2.  You want to make your parents proud of you.
3.  You want to be a good example to your children, siblings or younger relatives.
4.  It was very difficult to learn English.
5.  You are the first in the family to go to college.
6.  You need the money.

Now, don't misunderstand.  The above reasons are very important.  The truth of the matter is that in colleges such as the College of the Desert, the student population is 60++ Hispanic and that is what they all say when they write a personal essay.

You want to write about your uniqueness.  Why should the judges select you instead of another candidate?  You need to write with heart if you want the reader to feel in his heart that you are the most deserving.  Starting with the visual, you want to WOW the reader.  Having a high GPA is wonderful, but not enough.  Having great letters or recommendation is great, but not enough.  Writing a good essay is not enough -- you must give the content and how you write it a great deal of thought.  Remember it is the whole "enchilada" that counts.  Good is not enough.  FABULOUS is  should be your goal. 

Based on My Very Favorite Pachelbel's Canon in D

This very popular wedding and anniversary song is based on my very favorite classical piece Pachelbel's Cannon in D.
Enjoy!!

Thought for the Day

The following is taken from Motivational Minutes by Don Essig

KIND
There is a wonderful little four-letter word that we don't hear very often that actually gets used a  lot by many people -- that word is "kind."  Someone once said,  "Be kind . . . everyone you meet has worries."  Today would be a good day to start using the word "kind" if you haven't used it recently.  Have you noticed how many people are actually kind to you?  Think about how you can be kind to someone who probably has more worries than  you.  Maybe together we can get this important little word back into circulation.


Thursday, March 17, 2016

My Song for the Day


One of my all time favorites!!

Next Scholarship Class is COMING SOON!!

If you missed the opportunity to register for the two online scholarship classes which are presently in session, you still have a chance to register for the face to face class.

On April 05, 2016, COUN 011 (Section 8025) will start.  It will meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:30 pm to 4:35 pm. It is a VERY fast paced one unit class which teaches you all you need to know about graduating debt-free.

Please note, this class should NOT be taken just because you need an extra unit.  This is a very demanding class for students who are serious about not graduating with thousands of dollars in student loans.  It has been a very successful class for many students.  In fact, about a year ago, one of our COD students won the Jack Kent Cook scholarship.  He won $40,000 a year for up to three years for his undergraduate year and $50,000 for graduate school for up to three years.  NOT BAD??

The secret is in the organization.  The system teaches you the steps necessary to submit winning scholarship applications.  What are you waiting for?

Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Fantastic Opportunity

scholar1@hsf.net
If you know a friend, family member or mentee who plans to continue their education and hasn't already applied for a scholarship with Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), I enthusiastically invite you to reach out to them to encourage them to apply for the 2016-17 academic year.

Students have the potential to receive $500 - $5,000 for the institution and major of their choice.

Eligibility Requirements:
1.  Must be of Hispanic heritage
2.  U. S, citizen, permanent legal resident, DACA or eligible non-citizen (as defined by FAFSA).
3.  Minimum of 3.0 GPA for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA for college and graduate
     students.
4.  Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited 4 year university in the fall of the desired scholarship year.
5.  Complete FASA or state based financial aid application (if applicable).

Deadline:  March 30, 2016




Quote for the Day/True Love

True Love
True love is neither physical or romantic.  True love is an acceptance of all that is, will be, and will not be.
--Author unknown