Unaka High School receives Path to College distinction

Unaka High School recently earned the Path to College School Distinction for its 2018/2019 school year, courtesy of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

School counselor Lisa McGinnis said the distinction is an honor for the school.

“It is a great opportunity for our students,” McGinnis said.

This distinction marks a school’s continued efforts to promote post-secondary opportunities after high school and the various aspects of that focus students need to understand. In particular, Unaka had to host four different events: a College Application and Exploration Week, a Tennessee FAFSA Frenzy to highlight financial aid opportunities, a Career Planning Night and a College Signing Day.

“A lot of parents do not have the knowledge to do FAFSA,” she said. “It changes every year. This gets them some assistance, so they do not have to suffer on their own.”

The distinction also partly comes from the school’s partnership with Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Allison Turbyfield, part of NiswongerCARE, said the partnership between CARE and the school has been beneficial to the students.

“All of the teachers are on board with our program,” Turbyfield said. “It is rewarding, especially the college signing day.”

She said the program helps students to improve their options for when they graduate and teaches them how to seek out and receive the assistance they may need, financial or otherwise.

This program, though it may seem to have a college focus, does not solely talk about college. McGinnis said the program also provides resources for students who pursue different opportunities.

“We know some are looking for the military or other careers,” she said.

She said this kind of support for their student body is crucial.

“A lot of these students may be their main income for their families,” she said.

She also said Unaka did not just begin providing these programs as part of the distinction.

“Unaka provides all of our students for some post-secondary opportunities,” McGinnis said.

The program, she said, will now ensure these kinds of events will occur annually, not just because of the award and fancy ribbon they get to place on the door to the main office, but because they want to provide as much assistance to their student body as possible

SportsPlus

Local news

Elizabethton Woman’s Club sponsors community projects

Church News

Church News

Community

Upcoming Elizabethton Events

Community

Elizabethton Senior Center schedule

Local news

What makes Jesus weep?

Local news

City Council moves to accept applications for city judge

Local news

Elizabethton City Offices to close Feb. 17 for Presidents Day; Adjusted garbage collection schedule announced

Local news

City Mayor proclaims Feb. 15 as National School Resource Officer Day

Local news

Creating adaptive education solutions for kids in rural Tennessee

Local news

Harshbarger reintroduces ‘One Flag For All Act’

Local news

Flips can be a great investment, or a money pit

Local news

Proclamation Honors Alexander

Local news

Elizabethton Golf Course to reopen front nine effective Saturday

Local news

ETSU online MSN program ranked best in Tennessee

Local news

Smith named interim Carter County emergency management director

Local news

ECU’s Casual for a Cause program donates over $50K to local organizations

Local news

Gov. Lee signs historic Education Freedom Act into law

Local news

Carter County Sheriff’s Office mourns loss of SRO Salvatore Caccamo

Local news

Vanderbilt Transplant Center reaches new heights in 2024

Local news

Bill Hagerty announces candidacy for re-election to U.S. Senate

Local news

Unicoi County’s Ballad Health Hospital awarded $9.8 million to rebuild after Helene flooding

Local news

Master Storyteller Award and Performance scheduled March 5 at ETSU Martin Center

Local news

Ballad Health maintains ‘A’ credit ratings amid industry challenges

Community

Community Calendar