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Jenna Edwards Joins Academic Staff of BHS as Junior/Senior Counselor; Reminds Seniors to Meet Important Deadlines

By Julie Perine on March 14, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

When she graduated from Lincoln High School in 2010, Jenna Edwards decided to pursue a college education in psychology. She had a good high school guidance counselor who helped her organize her thoughts and aspirations, as well as necessary test dates and application deadlines necessary to launch her journey into college. After receiving a degree in psychology from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Edwards was inspired to further continue her education, ultimately receiving a Master’s of Education in School Counseling from the University of Lynchburg. She found her passion and now she is fulfilling that passion at Bridgeport High School, where since February, she has served as junior/senior counselor.
“I had a great school counselor when I was in school - and I’ve also seen a lot of not so great counselors - and I wanted to be that person kids can look to for encouragement and guidance when they don’t know what to do,” Edwards said. “I want to be that person for them. High school is such a transition. Some kids know what they want to do, but some don’t know what to do with their life. It’s a cool thing to see that lightbulb go off in their head when they figure it out.”
 
High school seniors are currently in an exciting time of their life when windows of opportunity await. It’s also the time of year when scholarship applications and other important paperwork is due for the 2019-20 school year.
 
“It is an important time of year. There are important deadlines to meet for Promise Scholarships, FAFSA and deadlines at colleges,” Edwards said.
 
To stay up to date on scholarship opportunities and important deadlines, students can closely follow their senior schoology group and/or senior newsletter accessible through Live Grades.
 
“The newsletter has all the scholarship information, financial aid deadlines and other news and announcements,” Edwards said.
 
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) priority deadline was March 1, but students who have not yet completed the application can still do so through June 30. It is to the students’ advantage to meet the March 1 deadline if they are applying for the Promise Scholarship or want to be considered for various scholarships offered by the colleges and universities as some schools have a limited amount of scholarship dollars and may award them on a first-come basis. By meeting the June 30 FAFSA deadline, students can – if meeting criteria – be eligible to receive federal direct and indirect student loans.
 
Many scholarship deadlines are approaching in March and April, but some deadlines are during other parts of the year.
 
“It’s kind of sporadic, whenever the organization or affiliation wants them to be,” Edwards said.
 
She encourages high school seniors to seek all avenues of financial aid, including those scholarships.
 
“College is expensive, which is unfortunate. It’s very expensive, but worth it. Whether students choose a university, college, technical school or trade school, there is free money out there if they just apply for it,” Edwards said. “It might take a lot of work, but the work is worth it, even if they don’t receive the scholarship, they are building a resume, letters of recommendation and skills they will need throughout life.”
 
Edwards, who completed her internship at Big Elm Elementary and Lincoln High School, worked in Taylor County and Harrison County schools before hired full-time for BHS.
 
She is eager, organized and approachable and she encourages students to come to her with any questions and for any information. Access a Bridgeport High School monthly calendar, which includes scholarship deadlines and events, such as Senior Assembly, Rose Breakfast and Graduation HERE
 
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid HERE
 
Editor's Note: Photos are by Annamarie Pinti of BHS Journalism and courtesy of journalism teacher Brad Bonenberger. 




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