This year members of the 2016 graduating class from Kennett High School participated in Kennett Consolidated School District’s first-ever Senior Stroll.

An instant success in the eyes of students and staff members alike, the Senior Stroll invited the 2016 graduating class to don their graduation garb and walk the halls of all kindergarten, elementary, and middle-school campuses in the District. Together, the graduating class traveled to Kennett Middle School, New Garden Elementary School, Bancroft Elementary School, Greenwood Elementary School, and Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center. Younger students lined the halls in their respective schools to cheer on the graduating seniors. There were high fives, hugs, and even tears as students and staff members reconnected and reminisced about their wonderful memories of growing up in the Kennett Consolidated School District.

“I could not be more proud of the Kennett Consolidated School District. The Senior Stroll speaks volumes about how the District is one large community and family,” said Mrs. Christina Sinton-Gorman. Her son, Aodhàn Gorman, class of 2016, was her inspiration when she proposed the idea of the Senior Stroll in the beginning of the school year. “The Senior Stroll was the perfect way to end the year as a shining example of Kennett Consolidated School District’s #ALLIN Campaign. Seniors were given the opportunity to revisit their former schools and thank the teachers that helped them reach this point in their education. The younger students, saw the senior class as role models for what great things they too can achieve. The Senior Stroll also honored all the staff that have played a part in the graduating senior’s education. As I watched the reactions of the seniors, younger students, and the staff, my heart was filled with joy. It was a magical and beautiful day!”

“This experience gave our graduates an opportunity to thank the teachers who inspired them in their younger years, in addition to an opportunity to inspire our younger students in the kindergarten, elementary, and middle schools,” explains Kennett High School principal Mr. Jeremy Hritz. “This event is a perfect example of collaboration within our District. It started as an outstanding idea from parents and then was made a reality when principals from the high, middle, and elementary schools came together to plan.”

The Senior Stroll is bound to become a tradition after this initial success. Created to be a lifetime memory for graduating seniors, the Senior Stroll quickly became much more. The 2016 graduating class has become an inspiration to all students in the District, motivating them to work hard and graduate so they too can walk the halls, reminiscing about the first-ever Kennett Consolidated School District Senior Stroll.

In the middle of a great book that you’d love to discuss with other readers? Looking for ideas about what to read next? Join us every Friday in the library during your lunch period to discuss books with other lit-lovers. These informal book discussions will take place every Friday, periods 4-7. Bring your lunch and books you would like to discuss, we’ll provide the hot beverages.

Kennett High School is pleased to announce its 2015-2016 National Merit Scholar Students.

Our National Merit Scholar Semifinalists are:

• Julie Bates
• Saarang Karandikar
• John Libert

Our National Merit Scholar Commended Students are:

• Tolulope Adetayo
• Dylan Munson
• Erin Dooley
• Andrew Kim
• Jacob Saltzberg
• Magnus Murray
• Christian Beveridge
• Alexander Mark
• Casey Bruno

Congratulations to all of our National Merit Scholar students! We are proud of all of your hard work and dedication to academic excellence!

We are looking for artwork and photography for the December art show at Liberty Place. If you would like to participate, please drop your work off to Mrs. Nelms in S309 by Monday, November 23rd. All work must be original and matted or framed. Original work is work that is not copied from someone else’s work or photograph.

  As we move further into college application season many students and parents wonder what colleges really look at in determining which students to accept.  Check out this top 10 list compiled by Certified Educational Planner- Judi Rabinovitz.

1. A challenging high school curriculum

Academically successful students should take at least five core courses every semester. Include AP, IB, and honors if they can get good grades in them. Most colleges recalculate GPA based only on core subjects (English, math, science, social science, foreign language, programming).

2. Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend

Slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all A’s in less challenging courses.

3. Solid scores on the SAT or ACT–consistent with high school grades

High scores do not compensate for low grades.

4. Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership, initiative, impact–and an angle

Depth, not breadth, of experience is most important. Colleges seek “angled” students with a passion, not “well-rounded” students. Substantive commitment to a few activities is preferable to participation in several mini activities–and more rewarding! To complement applications, students should create a detailed résumé to showcase their activities.

5. Out-of-school experiences, including summer activities, work, and hobbies that reflect responsibility, dedication, and areas of interest

Meaningful use of your free time is essential! Students should include these commitments on their résumés.

6. Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting, well-rounded student body

A student who goes the extra mile to develop a special talent in sports, research, writing, the arts, or anything else will gain an edge. Students should consider sending a college evidence of anything that makes them stand out (e.g., portfolio of their creative writing, research abstract, CD or DVD of their talent).

7. A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s personality, values, and goals

An application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal. It should demonstrate careful and well-constructed writing. This is your students’ chance to tell their stories!

8. Anecdotal letters of recommendation from teachers and the student’s counselor that give evidence of his or her intellectual curiosity, special skills, and positive character traits.

An extra recommendation from a coach, supervisor, or someone who knows the student well can help only if it sheds new light on his or her talents. However, letters from family friends, even if they are well known individuals, are rarely given much weight.

9. Demonstrated enthusiasm for attending a university, as evidenced by a campus visit, interview, and ongoing contact with the admission office.

Early in the college-planning process, students should schedule campus visits, including an information session, tour, and interview if available. They should stay in touch with admission representatives and attend local presentations.

10. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity through reading, school, and extracurricular pursuits, summer activities, and more.

Source:   http://www.collegexpress.com/counselors-and-parents/college-counselors/articles/articles-college-counselors/10-most-important-factors-college-admissions/

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