Spring scholarship to recognize students for community service and meaningful travel experiences—whether far away or close to home
New experiences and destinations can be inspiring. Tell us where you’ve been and why it meant so much to you.”
— Cameron Urry, Vice President of Product for Reservation Counter
LEHI, UT, USA, March 1, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- College students who love to travel are invited to apply for a $1,500 scholarship from Reservation Counter. In the spring and fall semesters, the leading hotel booking company awards a general scholarship to students who have a passion for travel and for giving back in their communities.
The three-question application invites students to describe their extra-curricular activities, particularly community service, and how a favorite travel destination has been inspirational. The spring application period is open until May 31.
“We believe traveling is special—it enriches your life, opens the mind, and connects us,” said Cameron Urry, vice president of Product for Reservation Counter. “New experiences and destinations can be inspiring. Tell us where you’ve been and why it meant so much to you.”
Reservation Counter, is part of TravelPass Group that successfully completes nearly 10,000 room nights every day and is known for understanding the hotel and booking preferences of travelers. For more information about the Reservation Counter Scholarship and to apply, visit www.reservationcounter.com/scholarships.
Reservation Counter specializes in providing travelers access to more hotel choices and ways to find the accommodations that fit their needs best. Based in Utah, Reservation Counter is part of TravelPass Group, which is becoming a vibrant marketplace with partnerships with independent and brand name hotels, wholesalers, and the largest travel agencies. It represents a combined inventory of more than 1 million properties worldwide and operates best-in-class customer service centers that help travelers 24/7.
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Successful Maury County Graduate Offers Advice for College Preparation
LEBANON, Tenn. – Colleen Brooks wasn’t sure college was for her.
She had taken the ACT four times and scored a 19 every time. She badly wanted to pursue higher education but didn’t know whether a college would see her as a fit.
“I bawled my eyes out because I didn’t think college would be an option for me,” Brooks said. “I worked really hard, but I still seemed to be average.”
Fast forward five years. Brooks, a Hampshire Unit School graduate, is in her final semester at Cumberland University, where she will earn a degree in Humanities and Social Science and head to graduate school. Thanks to perseverance and hard work, she is two years away from a Master’s degree and a career in social work.
What made the difference? Brooks says she found the school that fit her needs and pushed through every barrier in her way.
“I visited colleges and found out they were looking for more than just good grades,” Brooks said. “Cumberland was perfect for me, because it had a small community feel. They read the personal statement on my application and decided to take a chance on me.”
The transition from high school to college challenges many students like they’ve never been tested before. Brooks says she learned some lessons from the experience that she’s happy to pass along.
1. Start Early
Brooks didn’t start seriously thinking about college until her junior year, when she first took the ACT. She believes that was a mistake.
“I would have liked to have learned more about college during my sophomore year,” Brooks said, “because that would have given me time to visit more places and put more thought into where I wanted to go.”
While Brooks insists she would have ended up at Cumberland anyway, she says starting her preparation process earlier would have made her senior year much less stressful.
“Senior year I was cramming in more than necessary, so getting an idea about it sophomore year would have been beneficial,” Brooks said. “My sister [a freshman at Lipscomb University] did that, and she was able to visit more colleges.”
The key, according to Brooks, is connecting with the guidance counselor.
“I recommend continuously talking to your guidance counselor, because they are such an asset,” said Brooks. “They can give you answers to questions you didn’t think you’d be able to figure out.”
2. Develop work ethic
College wasn’t what Brooks expected. There was more free time than she thought there would be, but less accountability to help her manage it.
“In high school they’re constantly reminding you of deadlines,” said Brooks. “That’s not what happens in college, so you need to be thinking ahead of time.”
High school students can prepare for the transition by assuming more responsibility for their schedules rather than relying mainly on parents and teachers. That means keeping a calendar of key tasks.
“I think getting some type of planner is very beneficial; I cannot get through my week without it,” Brooks said. “Writing things down and being able to see what you have due is key.”
Brooks credits her high school athletic career for instilling a strong work ethic, and she admits it has carried her through many challenges.
“I was not the star athlete – I was more of a benchwarmer,” Brooks said. “It taught me that things won’t just be handed to you – you’ll have to push and work for them.”
3. Visit multiple schools
Brooks is a firm believer in traveling to as many potential schools as possible.
“Go to as many places as you possibly can,” Brooks said. “Choose the place that feels like home.”
Sometimes that might mean listening to your own preferences rather than outside pressure.
“Being open-minded is important,” said Brooks. “Everyone is throwing different options at you, but think about what is best for you to succeed, grow and be happy.”
While the primary drivers of the decision should be academic in nature, Brooks is quick to assert that education is far from the only reason to choose a school.
“Transitioning from being a senior in high school to a college student was tougher than I anticipated,” said Brooks. “It’s about more than getting a degree; it’s about growing as a person.”
4. Stay motivated
One of the toughest parts of preparing for college is the large checklist of important items to accomplish.
“You can feel overwhelmed when everything is hitting at once,” Brooks admits. “Being goal-oriented and motivated is the most important thing.”
Brooks motivated herself by setting fun rewards for accomplishing her goals – a practice she continues in college.
“I set goals with studying habits, then reward myself by going out and getting ice cream or watching Netflix,” Brooks said.
She believes the same approach will work for high-school students making such an important decision while balancing the demands of schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
“You can get discouraged very easily,” said Brooks. “If you do that, you get behind and don’t feel like you can ever pick yourself back up. It is manageable. You can do it.”
Brooks points to her own success as encouragement for other students experiencing the excitement and pressure of college preparation.
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to succeed,” Brooks said. “But college has been better than I could have imagined.”
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March 2017
World Heritage Student Exchange Programs is now looking for American families to host high school students from Spain. All these exceptional students have received scholarships through a partnership with the Amancio Ortega Foundation in Spain. The Foundations goal is to bring Spanish scholarship students to the USA. The Foundation carefully screens and selects 100 students who have passed the high academic qualifications as well as being financial need based to provide a full scholarship for them to study in the USA for one academic year.
The students come from all over Spain, and are chosen as ambassadors of Spain to learn and grow from their year abroad in the USA, in order to come home to Spain and apply what they have learned to their home town, community and country. These students would not have this opportunity if not for this generous Foundation in Spain. World Heritage is proud to be a part of this prestigious program, and know that our host families and schools will appreciate these students and their hard work ethic and desire to grow and learn from their American families and schools.
World Heritage is currently seeking host families for these well-qualified, bright, motivated and well-screened students coming from all areas of Spain. By living with local host families and attending local high schools, the Spanish scholarship students acquire an understanding of American values and build on leadership skills. Upon returning home in the spring, the students will share what they have learned while in America and will make a significant difference in their country!
To become a host family or find out more about World Heritage and the prestigious Spanish Scholarship Program, please contact Regional Coordinator Courtney Wade, at (720)-209-1145 or (866)-939-4111, via email at Courtney@World-Heritage.org or visit www.whhosts.com. World Heritage looks forward to welcoming you to the ranks of host families nationwide contributing to world peace and understanding through student exchange programs.
WORLD HERITAGE (FORMERLY SPANISH HERITAGE) IS A NON-PROFIT, TAX-EXEMPT, PUBLIC-BENEFIT ORGANIZATION. WORLD HERITAGE IS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS AN EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND IS FULLY LISTED WITH THE COUNCIL OF STANDARDS ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL (CSIET)
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It's not too late to catch Plaid Brixx in Salt Lake City! They'll be hitting the stage with We The Kings and Cute Is What We Aim For on Tuesday, March 14th at In The Venue - Let me know if you're interested in coverage of any kind and we'll do our best to accommodate you! For more information please visit: plaidbrixx.com
Feel free to stream Plaid Brixx's latest self-titled EP and check out the three buzzing videos from the project, "Since You Came", "The Greener Side" and "Don't Look Down"!
Credit_ Audrey Lew Photography
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