Congratulations to Mrs. Michelle Spigner!
Congratulations to Spring Valley High School science teacher, Mrs. Michelle Spigner. Mrs. Spigner has been selected as the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024 Teacher of Merit.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS), a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science and math competition. Alumni of STS have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold more than 100 of the world’s most distinguished science and math honors, including the Nobel Prize and the National Medal of Science. Each year, 300 Regeneron STS scholars and their schools are recognized. Scholars were selected based on the scientific rigor and world-changing potential of their research projects.
Mrs. Spigner is being recognized for her inspiring teaching and mentoring performance and for creating a superlative learning environment. Congratulations Mrs. Spigner!
HIGH SCHOOL SCIENTIST CELEBRATED FOR EXCEPTIONAL RESEARCH
Spring Valley High School student Ava Phelps is among the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competitions for high school seniors. Phelps is in the Discovery Magnet program at Spring Valley. The title of her project is “Relationship Between Root-Zone Soil Moisture and Proportion of E. solidaginis Galls Attacked by Parasitic Insects in South Carolina Level III Ecoregions.” Phelps wrote in her research paper, “As the world is becoming increasingly urban, understanding how humanity impacts various ecosystems is extremely relevant.”
The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 2,162 applications received from 712 high schools across 46 states, Puerto Rico, and 10 other countries. According to the Society for Science, which owns and produces the competition, this marks the largest number of entrants in five decades. Alumni of this competition have reportedly been honored with 13 Nobel Prizes, 11 National Medals of Science, six Breakthrough Prizes, 21 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, and two Fields Medals.
Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking, and promise as scientists as demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays, and recommendations. Phelps and Spring Valley will be awarded $2,000 each.
Phelps is one of only two students in South Carolina to be recognized by Regeneron for their research. She is also one of 11 students in Richland Two, 16,000 students nationally, competing for National Merit Scholarships in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Cooke College Scholarship Program Semifinalists
Congratulations to Spring Valley student Jena Saleh on being named a Cooke College Scholarship semifinalist.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced that 558 high school seniors have been named semifinalists for the highly competitive Cooke College Scholarship Program. The Cooke College Scholarship provides Scholars with the opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year to pursue a bachelor’s degree at any accredited undergraduate institution.
This year’s Cooke College Scholarship semifinalists were selected from the largest pool the Cooke Foundation has received to date. Applications will be reviewed once more to choose the finalists to receive the scholarship. The 2024 Cooke College Scholarship recipients will be announced in April.
“We are awed by the breadth and depth of applications we received this year; there are so many talented students across the country, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to recognize their hard work,” said Executive Director Seppy Basili. “These students experienced tremendous challenges due to COVID at the outset of their high school careers which makes their accomplishments even more impressive.”
Students applied from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and Virgin Islands — representing more than 3,800 different high schools. A list of the semifinalists can be found below.
Cooke College Scholars are selected based on exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, service to others, and leadership. Students must be current high school seniors residing in the United States. Scholarships are awarded without respect to religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, geographic region, race or ethnicity. Learn more about the College Scholarship Program here and sign up to be notified when the next application opens in fall 2024.
SVHS Orchestra Members Selected for 2024 All-State Orchestra
Congratulations to the following SVHS Orchestra students:
Leola Kendall- Viola, 9-10 Orchestra
Abbey Lee- Violin, 11-12 Orchestra
Brayden Sosa- Violin, 11-12 Orchestra
They were selected, by audition, for the 2024 SCMEA All-State Orchestras! The 2024 All-State Orchestra Event will be held at River Bluff High School in Columbia on February 23-25, 2024.
Thank you for your support of the SVHS Orchestra program!
College Board BigFuture Scholarship Recognition
Congratulations to Shandon Kelly who completed steps on his BigFuture dashboard and was entered into their scholarship drawing. Shandon earned $500 scholarship for two or four year institutions.
BigFuture from College Board is a free online planning guide that helps all students take the right first step after high school. Every month, BigFuture awards $500 and $40,000 scholarships to students who take steps toward their career and the education they need to reach it.
SAVE THE DATE: SVEF ANNUAL AUCTION
Yearbook Senior “Baby” Ads- Early Bird Specials
Graduation is just around the corner and it is time to pay tribute to the seniors in the Class of 2024. Here is the information for the yearbook senior “baby” ads. Notice that you can save money by placing the ad before Feb. 4 with Early Bird Specials! Ad spaces are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is also the website to order your copy of the 2024 yearbook. And just a reminder, last school year, we sold out of yearbooks and ad spots, so don’t delay. See the form for more details. Purchases can be made directly at http://www.yearbookforever.com.
SVHS Free Pageant Coaching Seminars
“Miss Spring Valley is beyond excited to offer pageant seminars for anyone at SVHS that is interested in pageants or competing next season! Each seminar will focus on new skills and sections of the pageant to help provide free training to all those interested. We hope to see you soon!”
R2i2 Hackathon 2024
R2i2’s fourth annual Hackathon is on the horizon! Sign up and come down to R2i2 for a chance to tackle challenging problems in your school and community with elegant, immediate, and compelling solutions! See the flyer attached below for more information and come get a permission form from Mrs. Zweimiller (D204) – permission forms due by February 15th!
Green & Gold Literary Magazine
The Green & Gold Literary Magazine is back and accepting art, poetry, and stories for its Spring edition! Submissions are now open and close on March 15. Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/TGGLitMag.
Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
Student Job Shadowing
Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
Student Job Shadowing Opportunity on February 2, 2024
LCSD is inviting Middle School and High School students to take advantage of their upcoming job shadow program on February 2, 2024. This is a great way for the student to experience an inside look into a full-service agency.
All participants should be at headquarters on February 2nd by 8:30 a.m. All students need to be picked up by 3:00 p.m. The day is scheduled with a tour of the facility, tour of the jail and group demonstrations. Lunch will be served at no charge (pizza) or students should bring their lunch if they choose to not eat pizza.
This form must be completed and returned(emailed) no later than January 29, 2024. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Sgt. Dan Rusinyak at drusinyak@lcsd.sc.gov.
Create Opportunity
Create Opportunity is now accepting applications through April 1, 2024 for their next, 6-month training program for software engineers. This program is a no-cost training program for individuals age 18 and above. To learn more about the application process, requirements, training format, $4,000 participant stipend, employer placement and more, please visit this link.
Apprenticeship Carolina
Has launched Apprenticeship Explorer, a dynamic tool that connects apprentices and employers across South Carolina. Apprenticeship Explorer can be used by a student looking for a current apprenticeship that matches their interests or hoping to connect with employers so they can learn about future opportunities, it is easily accessible and simplifies the application process. Please see this flyer with additional details and QR Code to connect with Apprenticeship Explorer.
Columbia Police Department, Explorer Program for Students
The CPD’s Explorer Program is dedicated to the success, training, and overall aptitude of the youth within its ranks. The Explorer Program consists of young adults between the ages of 14-20 years old, who are looking to make a career in law enforcement. Please use the following link to learn more. https://columbiapd.net/explorer-program/
