College Preview Opportunity: Click here to see the list and the sign up links! Updated list

 Juniors in AP, dual credit, or pre-calculus in their junior year schedule are invited to attend select senior events. All seniors are invited.

College Previews are an opportunity for our students to meet in a small group setting with admission counselors and learn about the opportunities their college provides. Below are the schools visiting with us - use the link(s) below to sign up (students may sign up for more than one if they are interested in more than one school).  Students must use their MCHS email to complete the form.

List will be updated as the colleges begin to book their dates with us!

Centre College     Thursday 9/3    8:45AM    Room 1208    SIGN UP HERE

Western Kentucky University   Wednesday 9/9    10:00AM    SIGN UP HERE

Murray State University   Thursday 9/10    10:15AM    PAC  SIGN UP HERE

Campbellsville University     Thursday 9/24    10:15AM    Room 1208  SIGN UP HERE

University of Kentucky Engineering @ Paducah  Monday 9/28 10:30AM  1208  SIGN UP HERE

Southern Illinois University   Thursday 10/15    10:30AM    Room 1208  SIU - SIGN UP HERE

University of Kentucky  Friday 10/20 10:00AM  PAC  UK - SIGN UP HEREUK

Lipscomb College  Tuesday 10/27    10:30AM    Room 1208  SIGN UP HERE

University of Louisville  Thursday  11/5   10:15    PAC  SIGN UP HERE

Spring College Course Announcement

Sign-up for Spring College Courses

If you plan to enroll in a spring dual credit course, this includes ENG 101, ENG 102, MAT 140, EDU 180, EDU 280, NAA 100, CSC 199, AHS 115, NAA 100, and any online course, you must request the course. 

Pickup a spring course request form from Dr. Wilson's office in Room 1603. If you are taking a course from MSU, you will need a second paper - MSU Guidance Counselor/Principal Approval form.

You must have completed an online Racer Academy application for MSU courses and/or completed an online WKCTC DualEnroll application for WKCTC courses. 

Please let Dr. Wilson know if you have any questions. Forms are due by October 28, 2026

UK College of Engineering (Engineering, Computer Sci, and their new AI degree)

UK Engineering Main Campus is looking to visit Western Ky this year.  We don't have a date yet but In the meantime, I also wanted to share an upcoming opportunity for you! They will be hosting their Evening with Engineering reception in Bowling Green on Tuesday, October 20th, from 7:00–8:30 PM.

 

This is a free event open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and their families who are interested in learning more about engineering, computer science, and our new artificial intelligence degree at UK. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local engineering alumni, learn more about the Pigman College of Engineering, and ask questions about the student experience and potential career paths.

 

Students and families can register using the link below:

 

Evening with Engineering – Bowling Green Registration:

https://engr.uky.edu/events/bowling-green-ky-evening-engineering-reception

Interested in biomedical fields, especially cancer research and medicine? Check this out.

HERO Program (formerly known as the SHE Program)

 

The HERO Program at Vanderbilt aims to increase participation in biomedical fields, especially cancer research and medicine, by empowering high school students through enriching experiences, activities, and discussions that introduce them to the incredible breadth of career and leadership opportunities in oncology. The program will run M-F from June 14, 2027, through June 25, 2027, and is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who reside in VICC's catchment area, and is entirely virtual. This program is funded by the American Cancer Society and engages students from four other NCI-designated cancer centers across the country. Vanderbilt is recruiting 30 students from across Tennessee and southern Kentucky for its 2027 program.

 

This virtual program will engage students through:

• Sending research kits to their homes and providing experiment guidance live via Zoom with research experts
• Providing cancer biology instruction and professional development activities via Zoom
• Offering a mentoring network that helps guide students through the college application process and connects them with future research, educational, and career opportunities

 

Each student participant will receive a $500 stipend (subject to taxes) upon successful completion of the program. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build a network and gain valuable STEM experience from their own homes.

 

To learn more about the program, interested students, families, and educators are invited to attend the HERO Town Hall on November 19 at 6:00 PM CT. The Town Hall will provide an overview of the program, application process, and an opportunity to ask questions. Participants may join using the following Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24682684545146?p=C7zBMWDcMwBZGHqPhi

 

Applications are due January 4, 2027, and can be completed here: https://redcap.link/HERO2027.

 

Thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at SHE@vumc.org.

 

Sincerely,

 

Maddie Thomas

Associate Program Manager

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

madeline.thomas@vumc.org

(615) 421-1092

College Preview Opportunity: Click here to see the list and the sign up links!

 

Juniors in AP, dual credit, or pre-calculus in their junior year schedule are invited to attend select senior events. All seniors are invited.

College Previews are an opportunity for our students to meet in a small group setting with admission counselors and learn about the opportunities their college provides. Below are the schools visiting with us - use the link(s) below to sign up (students may sign up for more than one if they are interested in more than one school).  Students must use their MCHS email to complete the form.

List will be updated as the colleges begin to book their dates with us!

Centre College     Thursday 9/3    8:45AM    Room 1208    SIGN UP HERE

Western Kentucky University   Wednesday 9/9    10:00AM    SIGN UP HERE

Murray State University   Thursday 9/10    10:15AM    PAC  SIGN UP HERE

Campbellsville University     Thursday 9/24    10:15AM    Room 1208  SIGN UP HERE

University of Kentucky Engineering @ Paducah  Monday 9/28 10:30AM  1208  SIGN UP HERE

Southern Illinois University   Thursday 10/15    10:30AM    Room 1208  SIU - SIGN UP HERE

University of Kentucky  Friday 10/20 10:00AM  PAC  UK - SIGN UP HEREUK

Lipscomb College  Tuesday 10/27    10:30AM    Room 1208  SIGN UP HERE

University of Louisville  Thursday  11/5   10:15    PAC

ASVAB - multi-aptitude test - a free career exploration tool

ASVAB Sign ups will be from Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 16.  

MCHS students can sign up to take the ASVAB on Wednesday, October 21. The ASVAB helps students explore career and educational opportunities in both civilian and military fields. 

Sign-up flyers with QR codes are posted throughout the building. Please scan the QR code to register by Friday, October 16.

For questions, please see Mrs. Stom, Freshman Counselor.

Additional Road Trip opportunity IF you can't attend the spring junior trip DUE TO A SCHOOL CONFLICT

If you are taking AP, and/or Dual Credit courses or pre-calculus then you are eligible for our Junior College Road trip in the spring. This is an additional Road Trip Opportunity IF you can't attend the spring junior trip due to a school conflict (play, spring sport, etc).

We have historically gone (2 nights/3 days) somewhere within the last week of March to mid-April.  We will visit MSU, WKU, UK and U of L.  

However, we realize there could be conflicts for some of you with your extracurricular activities in the spring that would prevent you from being able to go. Therefore, we would like to open some spots for juniors to join the seniors this fall.  The senior trip will visit 3 college campuses:  WKU, UK and U of L.  We have only a limited number of spots for juniors and they will be reserved for juniors that will have a spring conflict. Dates will be November 6th and 7th.  Please see Mrs. Boone or Mrs. Burnham for an interest form which will be due by Thursday, September 25th (payment will be due 10/2). 

College Preview Opportunity: See original post - Campbellsville and UK Engineering at Paducah links just added!

College 101 - Come join us for this info session!

 

College Fair Expo - field trip opportunity

Juniors in AP, dual credit, or pre-calculus in their junior year schedule are invited to attend select senior events. All seniors are invited.

The College Fair Expo will be held in Murray on Sept 15 - you will have the opportunity to meet admission counselors from different colleges and universities.  After the fair we will grab breakfast in Winslow (MSU's Dining Hall) before heading back. The cost of the trip is $10 (includes breakfast and transportation).  Permission forms are available in my office and are due Friday, Sept 4.

College Preview Opportunity: Click here to see the list and the sign up links!

 

Juniors in AP, dual credit, or pre-calculus in their junior year schedule are invited to attend select senior events. All seniors are invited.

College Previews are an opportunity for our students to meet in a small group setting with admission counselors and learn about the opportunities their college provides. Below are the schools visiting with us - use the link(s) below to sign up (students may sign up for more than one if they are interested in more than one school).  Students must use their MCHS email to complete the form.

List will be updated as the colleges begin to book their dates with us!

Centre College     Thursday 9/3    8:45AM    Room 1208    SIGN UP HERE

Western Kentucky University   Wednesday 9/9    10:00AM    SIGN UP HERE

Murray State University   Thursday 9/10    10:15AM    PAC  SIGN UP HERE

Campbellsville University     Thursday 9/24    10:15AM    Room 1208  SIGN UP HERE

University of Kentucky Engineering @ Paducah  Monday 9/28 10:30AM  1208  SIGN UP HERE

Southern Illinois University   Thursday 10/15    10:30AM    Room 1208

University of Kentucky  Friday 10/20 10:00AM  PAC  

Lipscomb College  Tuesday 10/27    10:30AM    Room 1208

PSAT registration + parent info session

 

The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered during the school day at MCHS on Monday, October 26.

Sophomores and Juniors may test by signing up with the QR code on flyers around the building and paying in the front office by Friday, September 4, at 3:00 pm. 

$13

Questions? See Mrs. Stom, Freshman Counselor, in Room 2201.

From the CollegeBoard:

The CollegeBoard invites you to join them for a webinar to learn about the PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT School Day exams offered this fall at many schools across Kentucky. If you're not sure whether your school offers these exams, reach out to them directly to ask and express your interest (MCHS is offering PSAT/NMSQT). These assessments give students valuable practice with the skills and format used on the SAT, helping build confidence and reduce test day stress later on. Students also receive personalized feedback through tools like Khan Academy, which connects their results to a free, customized study plan. Strong performance on the PSAT/NMSQT can also qualify juniors for National Merit Scholarship recognition and access to over $350 million in scholarships. All three exams help students and families track academic growth over time and plan ahead for college readiness. Students and schools also receive AP Potential data, which shows how ready students are for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. You'll be able to submit questions throughout the session.

 

We'll also discuss how to use your scores to pursue the college and career opportunities you're aiming for after graduation, including how to connect to scholarship opportunities through College Board's free planning tool, BigFuture. You can learn more about BigFuture here.

Please join us on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 pm EST via this link to learn more about how these exams work, what to expect on test day, and how to make the most of the results.

 

We look forward to seeing you there and helping your student take a confident step toward their future.  In the meantime, feel free to check out these flyers to learn more about these opportunities:

 

PSAT 8/9 (for 8th and 9th graders)
PSAT/NMSQT (for 10th and 11th graders)
SAT School Day (for any grade level)

BigFuture flyer

Western KY Regional College and Career Expo

 A wonderful opportunity for your student to start looking at, meeting, and gathering information on colleges and careers they are interested in!

Civic Leadership Institute - Apply by 8/28

In partnership with the WKU Center for Gifted Studies, the McConnell Center is excited to announce a new opportunity for Kentucky high school students: the Civic Leadership Institute! This opportunity is for rising sophomores or rising juniors interested in leadership, law, government, history, economics, public policy, international relations, education, journalism, business, or public service.

The Civic Leadership Institute is a selective, yearlong experience for high school students who aspire to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Through immersive Saturday sessions and an exciting summer capstone experience, the Civic Leadership Institute is a premier leadership experience where students build lifelong friendships, develop a portfolio of meaningful work, and gain exposure to a wide variety of career pathways connected to the social sciences and public life.

Designed as a multi-year pathway, the Institute gives students the opportunity to return through their senior year, building increasingly advanced knowledge, experiences, and leadership skills along the way.

Through immersive Saturday sessions, a Summer Leadership Experience, and a Senior Capstone Experience, students step into the roles of attorneys, legislators, diplomats, historians, policy analysts, and community leaders.

Institute highlights include:

• A selective cohort of high-achieving students
• Six immersive Saturday experiences throughout the year
• A Summer Leadership Experience
• A weeklong Senior Capstone Experience in Washington, D.C.
• Mock trials and courtroom simulations
• Legislative debates and policymaking experiences
• Crisis response and diplomatic simulations
• Leadership and communication development
• Advocacy projects addressing real-world issues
• Networking with professionals and mentors
• Exploration of careers across the social sciences and public service

More than a class, the Civic Leadership Institute is an opportunity for students to develop meaningful skills, build lasting friendships, create a portfolio of work, and explore pathways to future careers in civic life.

Please encourage interested sophomore and junior students to apply by Friday, August 28!

You can visit our website for additional information: https://centers.louisville.edu/mcconnell-center/civic-education/kentucky-students/civic-leadership-institute

If you or interested students have questions, please direct them to me.

Thank you!

Meghan A. Waters

Director of External Education

McConnell Center

University of Louisville

(502) 852-3158

 

www.mcconnellcenter.org

Kentucky High School Students Invited to Attend Fall Service Academy Information Fair RSVP by 8/19

Sen. Rand Paul is hosting the annual Service Academy Information Fair on Aug. 20 at the Knicely Conference Center at Western Kentucky University. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. CT, with the event being held from 6 to 8 p.m. CT.

The event provides interested students and parents with an opportunity to learn more about the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Academies. Representatives from each will be on hand to answer questions.

Interested students may RSVP to the Office of Sen. Paul: (270) 782-8303.