MHS?sophomore attends parade in London

Sydney Smith, a sophomore at Minot High School ,was among more than 650 high school cheerleaders and dancers from across the country who represented Varsity Spirit in the 30th anniversary New Year’s Parade in London.

Smith qualified for the event after being selected as an All-American at one of Varsity Spirit Brands’ summer camps. All-Americans make up only 12 percent of more than 325,000 cheerleaders who attend a Varsity Spirit-sponsored camp each year.

During the seven-day trip, Smith and other American students toured some of the historic sites in London.

“It was a dream come true!” Smith said in a release. “I am so thankful for my family and friends that supported me to be able to go on this amazing trip. Most of all to my parents and grandparents for always pushing me to do my best in whatever I do.”

Smith is the daughter of Chris and Erica Michl of Minot.

Dakota College students receive space grant

BOTTINEAU – The North Dakota Space Grant Consortium, under the direction of the University of North Dakota, made available $6,500 in scholarship funds to students at Dakota College at Bottineau. These funds were awarded to students who show promise in the areas of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). The goal behind the North Dakota Space Grant Scholarship program is to identify, recruit and retain students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; to encourage women and underrepresented students to enter these fields of study; and to increase NASA activities and awareness in North Dakota. To qualify for the Space Grant Scholarship, students must show academic excellence, have a sophomore standing, and have education and career interests relevant to STEM.

This year three students from Dakota College at Bottineau were selected to receive this scholarship:

Mattie Schmitt, Towner, is pursuing an Associate of Science degree. She plans to double major in Agricultural Systems Management and Agricultural Business at North Dakota State University. Her future goal is to pursue a career in the agricultural industry.

Amber Tikalsy, Minot, is pursuing an associate of science degree in fish and wildlife management. Combining this degree with her bachelor of science degree in criminal justice, she hopes to one day work as a game warden.

Frank Flight, Edmonds, Wash., is pursuing an associate of science degree in health professions. He plans to earn a degree in Physical Therapy and eventually work as an athletic trainer for a sports team or at a rehab facility helping those with serious injuries.

MSU?offering more scholarships than before to all students

Minot State University is offering the most scholarships ever for the upcoming 2016-17 academic year. New, transfer and returning students are encouraged to apply soon, as applications will be accepted through Feb. 16. Scholarship application forms are available online at minotstateu.edu/finaid/scholarships.shtml.

“We encourage all prospective and returning students to submit the 2016-17 MSU Scholarship and Award Program Application to be considered for the wide variety of scholarship options available at MSU and submit the 2016-17 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 to be considered for the best possible state and federal student aid options,” said Laurie Weber, financial aid director, in a press release.

Numerous scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement, leadership, and service and legacy. New freshmen and transfer students can apply for the Great Plains Exceptional Scholar Award, which offers full tuition for four consecutive years to students meeting the scholarship requirements. It can have a value of more than $20,000 over years. Other scholarships offered to new freshmen and transfer students include the Distinctive & Engaged Scholarship and Service for Common Good Scholarship Awards, which offer awards up to $3,500, as well as the Transfer Student Scholarship Award for up to $1,500. Students, who previously received an MSU Alumni Association Scholarship and are junior, senior or graduate students, can also apply for the Peggy Wittliff Memorial Scholarship. This $4,000 scholarship is paid over the full academic year, and is available online at minotstateu.edu/alumni/scholarship.shtml. Additional scholarships for children of MSU alumni can also be found here.

For questions about alumni scholarships, contact Janna McKechnie, director of alumni relations and annual giving, at 858-3234 or janna.mckechnie@minotstateu.edu. For other scholarship inquiries, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 858-3375 or financialaid@minotstateu.edu. Students should also check with their academic departments for additional scholarship opportunities.

History contest available to enter for Catholic students

Catholic school students in grades five through 12 can enter the 2016 History Essay Contest sponsored by the Catholic Textbook Project.

The contest submission deadline is March 23. There will be six student winners in six separate contest divisions. Each student winner will receive a cash prize ranging from $100 to $200. Catholic schools and home schools can benefit as well.

A $400 gift certificate for the company’s textbooks will be awarded to the Catholic schools attended by each of the three Catholic school student winners. The home schools of the three Catholic home school student winners will each receive a free textbook of their choice from among Catholic Textbook Project history textbooks. In addition, winning essays will be published on the Catholic Textbook Project blog and Facebook pages.

Catholic school teachers are encouraged to consider using the contest as a class assignment and, if so, to submit all essays at once.

This year’s history essay challenge requires students to choose a Catholic of historical significance and describe how this person influenced the times in which he or she lived. Although saints are a possible choice, the contest challenge is much wider and includes any Catholic historical figure.

Topic requirements for different grade levels differ. See contest rules and guidelines listed on the Essay Contest page (catholictextbookproject.com/essay-contest). Any form of plagiarism will not be tolerated.

For more information on the 2016 History Essay Contest for Catholic students, grades 5-12, go to: CatholicTextbookProject.com/essay-contest/.