Volunteer work is vital » MONEY FROM 8X look for commitment and achievement, and those things come naturally when you’re doing activities you love. Find extracurricular activities you can become passionate about, and then really dive in and get involved. Be a Leader. Seize the opportunity to stand up and take the lead within your activities. Leadership roles don’t have to be traditional, like class president or star athlete. You can demonstrate leadership potential by being an equipment manager, starting a service project, heading up a club—by taking initiative in anything you love. Give Back. Several scholarships target students who have focused their time in service and volunteer work. Think about it—scholarships
are provided by people with a heart to give back by helping students. It makes sense, then, that scholarship committees would value students who also give back and want to make a difference in the world. Find volunteer projects and causes you really enjoy, and start pouring into them. By also keeping a record of your volunteer hours, you’ll have something important to show on your scholarship application. Create Your Own Opportunities. I like to encourage students to think like an entrepreneur and create projects and activities themselves. Doing this not only helps you display leadership and initiative; it gives you something unique and truly you on your application. As a sophomore, I started a gym-
nastics club for younger girls, and that was one of the highlights of high school for me. It was also a great addition to my scholarship application. Make It Known. Most scholarship applications ask students to list their honors and awards. Many students will naturally earn these throughout their high school experience, but it’s smart to be on the lookout for opportunities to gain recognition for your efforts. Some awards and competitions require students to step out of their comfort zone, sign up, be nominated, or even participate in a competition. Be willing to put yourself out there to be positively recognized for your efforts. Reporter Tena Lee can be reached at 575-7116 or tlee@mtcngroup.com.
Educational apps help students master skills By Jennifer Easton Sumner County Publications
In just a few short days, Sumner County kids will be heading back to school. Whether they’re off to college or starting kindergarten, they’ll need school supplies. For today’s tech-savvy students, those supplies are no longer restricted to pencils and paper. Educational apps for mobile devices can provide valuable tools that help students of all ages not only master skills, but also create content. The Sumner County Board of Education in 2010 lifted the district’s ban on cell phones in schools and last year relaxed the rules to allow for a “Bring Your Own
Technology” policy that lets students use mobile devices such as Smartphones and tablets for educational purposes with permission. The district is in line to receive a one-time $1.6 million allocation from the state for technology that will be used to improve infrastructure by bringing high-speed and wireless Internet access to each of the district’s 46 schools. Since the launch of Apple’s App Store five years ago, more and more educators are integrating interactive digital technology into lessons to enrich learning. Thousands of educational apps are now available for free or minimal cost but quality varies greatly. When considering pur-
chasing an app, parents and students should always read customer reviews, said Rhonda Bruce, media specialist and STEM coordinator for Gallatin High School. “Always look to see how old the app is and if it’s been updated recently. Apps change frequently, and if it hasn’t been updated recently it may not be compatible with newer devices,” said Kathy Pryor, Title I technology specialist for Sumner County Schools. We asked Bruce and Pryor, along with local experts Linda Oliver, education technology specialist for Sumner County Schools, and Craig Clayton, director of informa-
» APPS, 11X
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» Friday, July 26, 2013 » 2013 Back to School Guide